Once again, Christchurch Priory played host to the Band for a summer concert. The programme included a number of pieces that are new to the Band's repertoire including Ken Downie's Purcell Variations.

One of the new pieces was receiving its WORLD PREMIERE. Paul Hindmarsh has arranged some music that Wilfred Heaton originally wrote as incidental music for a dramatisation of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress into a suite entitled simply Pilgrim Song. The music, which stylistically echoes that of Vaughan Williams, is ideally suited to the rich accoustic of the Priory Church and the recitation of passages from the original book enabled the listeners to put each movement into context.

One of the Band's most visited locations is the town of Yeovil - we have forged a close relationship with the Corps there over many years and it was great to be able to visit again. As usual, we had a very nice buffet tea before the festival - perhaps that is why we keep going back!!

The programme was well received by a very good audience - more chairs were being put into place right up until the start of the festival. It is always good to get favourable feedback and on this occasion the local Bandmaster - Nick Stokes - who was helping out the percussion section on the night - reports that so many people have already said what a fantastic time they had and how it is "always a great night when the Boscombe Band visit". That makes it all worthwhile, as does the fact that more than £1000 was raised on the evening to support Yeovil Band.