The members of Pilling Jubilee Silver Band know a thing or two about delivering a feel-good factor performance. From 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 Josh.
Once the children were all equipped with sleigh bells, tambourines, drums and shakers they drifted up and down the aisles and to the front of the church to accompany the band in their own inimitable style.
Rousing, popular tunes like: ‘We Wish you a Merry Christmas’, ‘Reindeer Express’, ‘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 heady Christmas mix!
Youngster participation reached a peak of excitement, when a brave little singer stepped up to the challenge of accompanying the band, singing ‘Little Donkey’. The band leader loved this unplanned addition to the programme and the audience were thrilled by his efforts.
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 to some appreciative recipients!
In keeping with all great performances, an encore was not just expected, but demanded by the appreciative audience. At the end, the band took their final bows to the sound of resounding claps.
Was the concert a success? Yes! Yes! YES!