Christmas Concert - December 2008
On Saturday 20th December 2008, Southampton Grad Band played their annual Christmas concert. Despite a last minute power cut during the dress rehearsal, the concert was problem free and enjoyed by all.
The concert opened with the aptly named The Opening, which was composed and conducted on the night by the multi-talented James Verduyn. The audience were treated to the uplifting melodies from
The Lion King, and jazz standards from In the Miller Mood. The highlight of the evening was the band's rendition of Shindler's List, which comprised an excellent solo performance from David Kinloch on Clarinet.
After the interval, when audience members were treated to pre-festive chocolates, the popular Pirates of the Caribbean was played, conducted by Leanne Verduyn. To close the concert, the band played
excerpts from The Nutcracker, which was a fitting end to a Christmas concert. This piece put the band and the audience in a festive mood, ready for the carol singing, which preceded an encore requested by the audience.
The Christmas concert was one of the many highlights of 2008 for SGB. The band now hopes to recruit even more members in order to enjoy a musically challenging and successful 2009!
- Kate Bridges
