KNOTTINGLEY SILVER BAND CONCERT
ADDED 17 FEBRUARY 2007
Feeling rather like a lapsed churchgoer, on Saturday
10th February, I attended a concert in the Town Hall featuring Knottingley
Silver Band, and I emerged again some two and a half hours later thinking
“I wouldn’t have missed that for the world!”
I was so thankful that I hadn’t decided to stay home and sit by the fire
on what was a cold, wet, miserable evening. Instead I was part of an
audience being entertained with wonderful music provided by dedicated,
talented musicians who devote their leisure time to keeping safe one of
Knottingley’s oldest traditions – our town band.
During the evening one of the members received a presentation – richly
deserved – in recognition of his 50 years service with the band, and it
was heart-warming to see members of the same families making music
together.
I may be biased but I don’t believe there’s a sound in the world that can
tug at your heartstrings like the sound of a brass band. Its richness and
beauty touches your soul.
I Knottingley we have a band to be proud of, and I would love to see a
revival of the pride and enthusiasm that our parents and grandparents felt
for their band all those years ago when it first began. I remember a time
when Knottingley’s band brought families together. It was the backbone of
our community.
Musical tastes change over the years, yet somehow the brass band remains
constant, and is able to “fit in” and adapt to these changes when it needs
to. It can step from one type of music to another easily and effortlessly.
On Saturday evening we were offered a veritable feast of musical
entertainment and examples of the versatility of the brass band. Soloists
displayed their individual talents and the band played music ranging from
Tchaikovsky to Rodgers and Hammerstein. We were served a helping of
foot-tapping, hand clapping, music – even “swing!”
I hope I can be forgiven for not remembering his name, but the entire
evening was enriched by the bands Conductor, who injected a little bit of
wit and humour into his introductions and displayed an obvious talent and
love for his music. He made the occasion just that little bit more
special.
I’m sure that the late Edwin Beckett would have approved of this
appearance by Knottingley Silver Band in his beloved Town Hall. This is
what the Town Hall needs.
This lovely old building, so beautifully restored and decorated by Mr.
Beckett, holds so many happy memories for lots of Knottingley folks. I
would love to see the band appearing there on a regular basis.
People like Terry Clayton and his family have devoted their lives to our
town band and have remained steadfast over many years in their efforts to
keep it alive. Chairman Garry Pearson is younger in years than Terry, but
he too works selflessly towards the same goal and deserves our highest
praise for his hard work and dedication. Everyone involved with the band
gives freely of their time, and in the process spends many hours away from
their homes and families either performing in public or practising. They
do it because they love what they do and they care about preserving this
important part of Knottingley’s history and ensuring its survival for
future generations. They deserve every bit of support they can get, and
they really do make beautiful music!
Jean Norfolk
17 February 2007
<PREV |
NEXT>
|
