There was standing room only at Ashby Ivanhoe College as the Leicestershire Co-op Band and their guests, Coalville & Loughborough Male Voice Choirs, took to the stage.

 

The first half featured solo spots from each of the Choirs, giving us their own favourite songs and medleys.  The band gave us a rousing overture, before introducing a young Ashby composer, Chris Tagg, and premiering a new work written especially for the band called 'Aeolia'.  (Chris is currently studying composition at Birmingham Conservatoire).  Both Chris, and the music, were very popular with the audience.  The band rounded off the first half with a four minute renditioning of the popular Irish Dance Music, 'Riverdance'.  Featuring Joe Jacklin (Drums), Nick Lear (Cornet) and Sadie Jacklin (Flugel).  A first half finale that brought the house down.

 

The second half got even better.  A selection of Krooner Classic's from the band started, before featuring two of the band soloists.  Steve Barham was in great form, performing Vetorrio Monti's Czardas, then Nick Lear was featured in a breathtaking rendition of Harry James' Trumpet Concerto.  Band and Choir's joined forces in the beautiful melodies, 'My Love is like a Red Red Rose' and Karl Jenkin's 'Benedicuts', giving way to a finale of the popular 'Speed Your Journey' from Nabucco.  More was still to come though, as the encore raised the roof in spectacular style, with fanfares blazing throughout the Welsh Hymn 'Cwm Rhondda', Guide me, O though great Jehova.