RAINFORD Band made its first performance at Atherton Formby Hall on Sunday opening with the adopted signature tune Sons of the Brave, writes Tony Smith.

Conductor Neil Samuels dedicated the second number Calling Cornwall to the late Goff Richards whom he had studied under at Chethams School of Music. Goff had composed this lovely and lively piece of music originally for Radio Cornwall.

Cornet soloist Amy Hopkins played Ralph Woodland’s You Raise me up, a Salvationist hymn and then the mood changed from faith to frivolity in the form of Three Jolly Sailormen by Edrich Sibbert performed by a cornet trio featuring Beth Dilworth, Dawn Banks and Geoff Hunter.

Other highlights included Peter Graham’s A Time for Peace which featured Rebecca Somers on flugel horn. Rebecca joined Rainford in February having previously played with BT, Pennine Brass and Pemberton Old.

Parade of the Charioteers from the film Ben Hur generating pictures of ‘pomp and ceremony’ brought this first half to an entertaining close.

In an X Factor tribute, the second half got under way with half the band plus conductor marching into the Hall in single file behind a loud bass drum and forming up in front of the stage to perform Bannerman!

With the accompaniment of singing and clapping, led by the conductor the rest of the band filed onto the stage at the half way point to join in the merriment.

A most unusual start by a brass band but good fun!

Euphonium soloist Steve Gordon, who recently joined Rainford from Greenall Band, changed the mood with a slow and serene sounding version of Thomas Roody’s Winter Dream which was followed by a very lively Manhattan Skyline for John Travolta fans.

To continue the variety there then followed the beautiful hymn Mission of the Millenium. Next came the Elizabethan sound of Peter Graham’s Rondeau.

The concert concluded with two splendid numbers – Kenneth Downie's hymn In Perfect Piece dedicated to the late Dr Roy Newsome and euphonium player Mike Hughes, followed by the majestic and panoramic piece Gladiator.