Nottingham Band Spreads Christmas Cheer

31 Dec 2009

Nottingham Concert Band (Robert Parker) spread its own brand of seasonal cheer during the build-up to Christmas this year, with three concerts around Nottinghamshire in the English East Midlands.

The band took to the stage in Newark’s market place to help entertain shoppers at the invitation of Newark Town Council, with the performance relayed via a giant screen for those unable to get close enough to the stage. The performance included community singing. This was followed by a musical celebration of Christmas in St Peter"s Church, Ruddington, during which the 60-strong band was joined by Ruddington & District Choral Society. All proceeds from the packed event were donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

The band’s final Christmas commitment was to entertain residents and guests at Lark Hill retirement village in Clifton, when an enthusiastic full house enjoyed such seasonal delights as a jazzed-up Jingle Bells, Rudolf the red-Nosed Reindeer, a new interpretation of the Coventry Carol and a Christmas swing-along medley of old-time favourites. The players clearly relished the concert as much as the audience, who were encouraged to participate by the compère Ashley Parnell.