Last Night a Success
Phoenix Band took to the stage at the Last Night of the Proms concert at Huish Episcopi school. The concert was arranged by the Langport and Somerton Rotary club, with all the proceeds made on the evening being donated to their two main charities, eradicating Polio worldwide and the victims of the earthquake in Indonesia.
This was the 3rd year that Phoenix were invited back to perform by the Rotary Club, and yet again the evening was superbly organised and well supported by friends of the band and the Rotary. Sadly our resident conductor, Paul Slator, was unavailable last night, but fortunately for us Kevin Robbins, the resident Musical Director of Yeovil Town Band, took the baton and put the band through it's paces.
The concert programme was a varied one and included a selection of soloists who all deserve a mention for their great performances. Thanks and congratulations go to:
- Alan Read and Colin Gardiner (both EEb Tuba) for their fun rendition of "Forty Fathoms"
- Dave Bulgin (Trombone) for his beautiful playing of Morris Alberts "Feelings"
- Matthew Read (Cornet) for his performance of Kenny Baker's "Virtuosity"
- Steve Taylor and Tom Lisett (both Baritone) for their great duet "Softly As I Leave You"
- And Finally, Dan Tolman for his star turn on triangle at the end of the Black Adder March
Dave Bulgin deserves a special mention as it is his 40th Birthday next friday. Happy Birthday Dave!
Hopefully everyone who attended enjoyed the night as much as the band did. By the end of the evening everone had their flags waving and Kevin was taken aback by the keen audience vocals during the last night of the proms music.
A few words of thanks need to be made to a few people wihout whom the evening would not have been a success:
- Stan, Jane and all of the members of the Rotary Club who worked so hard in organising the night
- Kevin for putting the band through it's paces over the past fortnight
- Debbie, Ali and Julie from Yeovil Band for playing with us
Sadly this is the last concert now that Phoenix have scheduled for 2009. Phoenix are performing at 2 competitions in November, at Torquay on 2nd November and in Weymouth on 28th November. Phoenix will also be playing Christmas Carols at the Crewkerne Christmas Light Swtich On on Friday 27th November. However 2010 brings more concerts like last night, and the band are also planning to record their own CD (more details will be added shortly on this), so keep a watch on our website, or join the Friends of Phoenix to be kept up to date with all of the news from the band.
Finally Phoenix would like to wish Stan, Jane and all other members of the Langport and Somerton Rotary Club our very best wishes for their forthcoming involvement at the Rotary Club convention taking place in Jersey.
Released On 3rd Oct 2009
