SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 22 June 1940, Page 8

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

BY NELSON GARRISON BAND A very fine concert was given by the Nelson Garrison Band on Sunday evening last at the Majestic Theatre. The programme was appropriately opened with a stirring rendition of “The Marseillaise,” followed by the hymn “New Rochdale” and the march “Stars and Stripes.” Other items by the band were a selection of “Tommy Tunes” reviving the popular melodies of 1914-1918. the trombone trio, “Slidin’ Easy,” “South of the Border,” and “Wings of the Navy.” The descriptive selection. “Jamie’s Patrol,” in which the pipes were heard blending with the band, was greatly enjoyed, as was also the descriptive “In the Sudan,” and an effective arrangement of “Three Blind Mice.” During the evening the band played the popular hit, "The Army, the Navy rnd the Air Force.” and with this number the three Lock sisters, Misses Shirley Valerie and Ava Lock, appeared on the stage in the uniforms of the respective forces and gave a tap dance which was received with applause by the audience. The remaining band items were “A Night in Switzerland” and the march “Entry of the Gladiators,” the concert concluding with the National. Anthem. The Junior Garrison Band, whose membership had increased from 15 to 24 players since the previous concert, gave a fine rendering of the hymn “Abide With Me,” in which the cornet solo was beautifully played by Master Jim Howard. In this number, too, the playing of Master Fred Stratford (soprano cornet) was outstanding. The Junior Band was conducted by Master Martin Johns.

Assisting artists included Miss Frances Bensemann, whose delightful contralto voice was heard most effectively in the songs “The Glory of the Sea” and “We’ll Remember”: Mr “Bob” Howell, monologuist, in “Alphonse”: Mr Halsey Logan, bass. “There’ll Always be an England” and the sacred solo, “The Lord is my Light.” Master Harry Fleming, boy soprano, received much applause for his contributions, “I’m the Leader of the Town Brass Band” and Mendelssohn’s “On Wings of Song." Master Ray Smith caused many a smile with his Stanley Holloway impersonations, “Albert the Lion” and “ ’Alt! Who Goes There?” The various items were introduced by Mr C. T. Webley.

Prior to the conclusion of the programme, the chairman of the Nelson City Patriotic Committee, Mr A. H. Crawley, appeared on the stage, and expressed the committee’s deep appreciation of the band’s efforts, that of the assisting artists, and thanked the large audience for its attendance and support, which will result in a very substantial sum being added to the Patriotic Funds.