Milnrow Band, formed back in 1869 by parishioners from what was St. Stephen’s Congregational Church in Milnrow, have launched a 150th anniversary album Heritage.
The album, a long-term project for the band, became a reality after securing necessary funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Opting for an easy-listening approach, the band hopes that the album can be enjoyed over and over again.
There are also two tracks of dedication on the album to long-term band members Jim Fitton and Ken Watts, who sadly recently passed away. Hugely influential in shaping the band, Mr. Fitton took on the role of Chairman and Treasurer and Mr. Watts of President.
Milnrow Band is hugely focussed on the local community, and can usually be found heading the Carnival and Remembrance parades, and performing at St. Thomas, Newhey and Milnrow Cricket Club each year. Come December you’re also likely to hear them in smaller groups out of the streets caroling around the villages.
The band also perform around the North West and West Yorkshire throughout the year and compete at band contests across the country.
The band also has a wealth of history, performing one of the first brass band concerts ever given on the radio in a series of three broadcasts given before the Second World War. The band was also due to perform for the BBC at a concert, however the broadcast never went ahead as war was declared on the day it was due to be aired.
The CD has 11 tracks and a runtime of 53 minutes, within which there should be something for everyone!
Setlist
- O.R.B. (Charles Anderson)
- Festive Overture (Shostakovich arr. P Kitson)
- Deep Harmony (Parker arr. L Baker) ‘for Ken’ Featuring Principal Cornet David Gillson, Flugelhorn Natalie Beer, Solo Tenor Horn Jennifer Brown and Solo Euphonium Michael Morris.
- The Lonely Shepherd (Last arr. D Beal) This arrangement features the renowned champion whistler and former Musical Director of Milnrow Band, David Morris.
- Heroic March (Percy Fletcher)
- Share My Yoke (Webb arr. I Bosanko) ‘for Jim’ Soloist: Natalie Beer – Flugelhorn
- Polovtsian Dances (Rimsky-Korsakov arr. E Huckridge)
- Over the Rainbow (Arlen arr. G.Richards) Soloist: Jennifer Brown – Solo Horn
- The Great Escape (E Bernstein arr. W Pegram)
- The Flower Duet from Lakme (Delibes arr. A Cook) Soloists: David Gillson and Bek Chrimes.
- March from Pines of Rome (Respighi arr. H Snell)
Heritage is available directly from the band at a price of £10 + p&p, so drop them a message on their social media platforms, email info@milnrowband.org.uk or call Natalie Beer on 07795148620 to get yours.