Hoppers Crossing with Werribee Concert Band

“Beautiful harmonies” ” Moved to tears” “Faleiry and accompanist both outstanding” “bless you all!” “Come out West more often”

On 24th November we were pleased to be invited to the fast-growing western suburb of Hoppers Crossing for a joint concert with the Werribee Concert Band, one of whose members is Tom Oski who features on trumpet on our latest CD. 

With minimal rehearsal we and the band jump-started the concert with a forceful arrangement of Battle Hymn which set the bar for the rest of the concert.

The Concert Band, under the direction of Mat Taylor, then showcased their considerable range with a varied bracket including a medley of familiar Mancini tunes.

The choir then sang a number of favourite Welsh tunes, culminating with Tom featuring on Yr Utgorn (The Trumpet) and Bob Ash delivering a stunning rendition of Working Man to close out the first half (photo by Gavin Ash – www.gavinash.com).

The second half began with what we now call our London arrangement of When the Saints and the audience willingly joined in (several times) along with Mat on his trumpet, to raise the considerable modern roof.  In the choir’s next bracket the beautiful Anfonaf Angel raised many hairs on many necks. Another ‘London’ tune, the very modern Pemulwuy delighted patrons with its forceful lyrics and musical virtuosity. Waltzing Matilda, featuring soloists Geoff Serpell and compère Drew Hopkins, cast its spell on its listeners and even flushed out several Welsh natives as they realised part of the choir was singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

The Band swung into their second bracket with some classical music and the very interesting music from The Incredibles, the original soundtrack of which was recorded on analogue tapes, not least because brass sounds better than on digital.

As a show-stopper the band and the choir combined on all-encompassing Les Mis medley, featuring Roger Bartlett on the emotional Bring Him Home. As the final line “Tomorrow comes” and the band’s closing chord erupted, the audience was totally transported and the very appreciative and sustained clapping was proof that another terrific musical event had been achieved.

But they hadn’t finished with us yet. Cries of “More, more” were shouted out so, after a little rearrangement, the choir filed off stage to Men of Harlech and then, with the expectant hall hushed, we surrounded everybody and wrapped them up in the beautiful words and fond farewell of Eli Jenkins’ Prayer. Only then was the audience satisfied and the musical magic of the afternoon allowed to come to a close.