York Brass raises the roof
Pictures by Callum O'Connell
A vibrant afternoon of brass band music at York’s Grand Opera House is set to raise thousands for our work.
York Brass Against Cancer saw a packed audience enjoy sets by local favourites the Shepherd Group Brass Band and the world-renowned Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, before both ensembles came together as massed bands to perform for the crowd.
The event was compered by David Hoyle, the presenter of BBC local radio’s popular Sunday afternoon brass band programme. It was organised by Mike Pratt of the Shepherd Group band and Ian Surgenor of YAC Promotions, the organisation behind a range of musical events raising money for York Against Cancer.
The audience was delighted when at the end of the concert Ian (pictured below) was enlisted as an impromptu conductor to lead the bands in a rousing performance of The Floral Dance, the tune made famous when it was recorded by the Brighouse and Rastrick in the 1970s.
The final amount raised has still to be calculated, but almost 900 people attended the concert and a bucket collection alone has raised almost £1,500 for York Against Cancer’s work in cancer care, research and education.
The organisers were so delighted with the success of the event that they hope to hold another York Brass Against Cancer in future.
“I was very optimistic about the show, knowing we had two top-class brass bands and that demand for the concert would be high,” said Ian after the event.
“I didn’t think it would be as successful as it was, however, with an almost sell-out show in a 1,000-seater theatre – and the queue on the afternoon of the event was right around the block!”
“I wanted everything to go right on the day, and it did,” said Mike. “Everybody pulled together, and it was a lovely atmosphere with a fantastic audience, very appreciative of what we did. I was really proud of our band and I thought the music was superb.”
Mike revealed how the Brighouse and Rastrick stepped in when one of the Shepherd soloists was injured and had to pull out at the last minute.
Brighouse and Rastrick player Andy Moore came along to a Shepherd Group rehearsal and stood in for the injured musician on the day. “Andy was great,” said Mike. “It all worked out better than I could have hoped. Everything went like clockwork.”
Ian and Mike said they wanted to thank the Opera House staff, the YAC Promotions backstage crew, videomaker/photographer Callum O’Connell, David Hoyle and York Against Cancer’s volunteers. “They made it a memorable event that brought a smile to people’s faces,” they said.
Julie Russell, our general manager, was delighted by the concert. “It’s amazing that YAC Promotions have been able to turn their hand to so many different music events, and with the help of Mike Pratt this concert has been a triumph,” she said. “We’re thrilled that they plan to do it again.”
The event had sponsorship support from Pavers, the York-based shoe company who also backed the Christmas concert the Shepherd Group Brass Band held in aid of York Against Cancer last year.
For more information about Pavers, visit http://www.pavers.co.uk and to find out more about its Foundation visit http://www.paversfoundation.co.uk