We'll Meet Again
Jul. 4, 2015
On 4th July, Hathern Band teamed up with Christchurch Theatre Club to provide an evening celebrating 70 years since the end of World War II. And what an evening! Rousing pieces from the band contrasted with a range of nostalgic numbers from the talented Christchurch singers who were dressed in period costume. Hathern’s irrepressible Ben Hardy, a member of the Theatre Club acted as MC. Ben’s brother Jack played repiano cornet on the night, and there was a further family connection as Ben revealed to the audience that the idea for the event came from his father, Jeff.
Numbers by the Band included Colonel Bogey, The Dambusters March, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and a Glenn Miller medley which sounded really authentic despite the absence of saxophones and clarinets. The Band reprised their acclaimed version of Nightfall in Camp – a clever arrangement of the hymn Eternal Father Strong to Save together with The Last Post. For this the front row cornets played at the other side of the church whose acoustics gives the piece such poignancy and feeling. The Band and singers combined for a medley from Carousel and Keep Smiling Through.
The Christchurch men gave us a Wartime Medley and Ben performed Who Do You Think You Are Kidding and Goodnight Sweetheart. Solos from the singers included Some Enchanted Evening by Lyndon Perry, Julie Easter with I Only Have Eyes for You and a moving rendition of I Vow to Thee My Country from Laura Barlow. Holly Easter sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow with the Band and Laura and Holly duetted with When You Wish Upon a Star. Then we had a trio when those of us old enough to remember the Andrews Sisters were given a treat as Laura, Julie and Anita Benson became Patty, Maxene and LaVerne and sang Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
The finale gave us a flavour of The Last Night of the Proms as the band powered through Pomp and Circumstance and led by the Christchurch singers, we all gave a rousing rendition of Land of Hope and Glory followed by Jerusalem and God Save the Queen. The concert was aptly named, as we were all hoping that we would meet again at another joint concert between the Band and the Christchurch Theatre Club.
Dave Neville – Friends of Hathern Band