The annual “Proms Night” was eagerly anticipated as a large crowd gathered at Birmingham Citadel for an evening of music, reminiscence and celebrations. As has become the custom at this annual event, the first half was themed before the traditional “Proms” music got underway in the second half. This year the theme was “TV theme tunes” and there really was something for everyone. Spanning some 65 years, music was featured from many wide ranging TV series aimed at different demographics.
The festivities began with the stirring theme tune from “The A-Team” with it’s military rhythms and juxtaposing rock grooves. It brought back many happy memories from the 1980‘s of Saturday evenings with ‘BA Baracus’ and ‘Lt. Col. John “Hannibal” Smith’ for some. Bandmaster Gavin Lamplough introduced the special guests for the evening before compere Andrew Avison, who added insight and interest all evening, introduced the next item: a Trombone Solo from Deputy Bandmaster Mark Sharman.
“The Acrobat” was the theme tune to the 1980’s BBC TV show “Johnny Briggs” and the trombone solo, full of glissandi, became synonymous with the show. Next followed a collage of TV themes arranged by former BCB Bandmaster Wesley Kendrick entitled “Carefree Days”, which featured music from Andy Pandy, Thunderbirds and Captain Pugwash, to name but a few.
Trumpet player Christopher Avison has achieved much success in recent years, most recently in being appointed as the Principal Trumpet player of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. He was the guest soloist for the evening and delighted the audience with an eclectic mix of solos, each performed with bravura and panache! In the first half he presented a reflective melody from the film “Babe: Pig in the City” which was recorded for the film by his late trumpet teacher James Watson. Christopher showed excellent lyricism in his interpretation before the band changed the mood with the theme from “Cagney and Lacey”. Christopher then returned to played a scintillating arrangement by Ray Farr of “Live and Let Die” from the Bond movie of the same name. Here Christopher showed real power and a genuine authenticity of style in the way he played this high-note ‘lead trumpet’ solo! The audience responded with prolonged applause.
The first half ended with theme tunes from “Hawaii 5-0”, “Film Night” and then a medley of themes from 10 TV programmes as the traditional procession of the children of Birmingham Citadel in TV characters fancy dress costume paraded across the stage.
The second half was typically nostalgic and featured much-loved British repertoire including “RAF Marchpast”, “I Vow to Thee my country”, “Fantasia on British Sea Songs”, “Jerusalem” and “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1”. The band even found time to honour a request to hear “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” - not really a British classic, but beautiful music never the less! The audience were delighted to welcome back Stephanie Lamplough who had been recording all day but made it back just in time to sing “Rule Britannia”.
Christopher Avison returned to play two more solos. The beautiful “Share My Yoke” (accompanied sensitively at the piano by his mother, Susan Avison) and Stephanie joined him for the wonderful duet “Let the Bright Seraphim” from Handel’s Oratorio ‘Samson’.
As the capacity crowd left the the hall it was clear that all had enjoyed the evening and that, 10 years later, the annual Proms night at Birmingham Citadel is still a great success.
Photos: Graham Daff
Programme
Theme from The A-Team
Introductions
Trombone Solo: The Acrobat
Soloist: Mark Sharman
Carefree Days (Wes Kendrick)
Featuring Trumpet Soloist Christopher Avison
Straight into…..
Cagney and Lacey
Featuring Trumpet Soloist Christopher Avison
Straight into…..
Hawaii 5-0
Thought into…..
I wish I Knew How It Felt to Be Free (Theme from Film Night)
TV Medley
INTERVAL
March – RAF March-past
I Vow to Thee my Country (Gustav Holst; arr. RSA)
Featuring Trumpet Soloist Christopher Avison
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (JS Bach)
Featuring Trumpet Soloist Christopher Avison with Stephanie Lamplough
Fantasia on British Sea Songs (Henry Wood)
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (Edward Elgar)
Rule Britannia (Thomas Arne) with Stephanie Lamplough
Jerusalem (C. Hubert Parry)
National Anthem
Under Two Flags (Bramwell Coles)
