16th December 2023
The members of Pilling Jubilee Silver Band know a thing or two about delivering a feel-good factor performance. From the instruments bedecked with flashing lights, to the whimsical uniform of Christmas jumpers, to the high-energy, up-beat music, the stage was set for a highly charged experience.
The Children’s Christmas Concert, freely given and hugely appreciated by the little ones and their accompanying adults, was most certainly the best place to be on a grey December afternoon. Any last-minute Christmas panics were instantly banished and replaced by the rich razzamatazz of the glittering brass instruments, energetically led by Nicola.
Once the children were all equipped with sleigh bells, tambourines, drums and shakers they invited themselves up to the front of the church to accompany the band quite spontaneously. Rousing, popular tunes like: We Wish you a Merry Christmas, Sleigh Ride, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and of course Jingle Bells, generated an energetic response from the budding percussionists. Such rousing compositions were interspersed with equally familiar, but gentler pieces such as The Snowman, Schneewalzer and Away in a Manger. Accompanying video clips captured the children’s attention and added a visual dimension to the proceedings. It was a delightful Christmas mix!
Youngster participation reached a peak of excitement, when a junior conductor was invited to take over the reins from Nicola. Jackson confidently stepped forward, took up the baton, glanced at the score and proceeded to lead the band through their next rendition with great gusto and enthusiasm.
No Christmas concert would be complete without the arrival of a very special visitor. As the sleigh bells reached a crescendo, the familiar silhouette of Santa emerged in the distance. He was joyfully greeted by little ones and big ones alike. Once he had made his way to the front of the church, he distributed some chocolate lollies, much to the delight of the recipients!
In keeping with all great performances, an encore was not just expected, but demanded by the appreciative audience. To their great delight, a second encore followed before the band took their final bows to the sound of vigorous clapping.
Was the concert a success? Yes! Yes! YES!
