START with a generous helping of the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band. Stir in a little spice from the music students at Brighouse High School. Add a touch of home-grown talent in Roger Davies and serve to a highly appreciative audience.
The perfect recipe for a tasty Christmas concert for all the family to enjoy.
The band's policy of inviting musicians from local schools is proving to be a winner. Brighouse High provided two groups to entertain – its wind band, conducted by Trevor Thristan and its funk band under the direction of Patrick Eady.
An exciting interpretation of 'Jingle Bells' opened the wind band's programme followed by Bernstein's 'The Magnificent Seven' and topped off with 'A Rockin' Christmas'. It was a testing little programme but the band rose to the occasion.
The school's funk band was in the spotlight after the interval opening with a tricky Miles Davies number, 'So What'.
Step forward singer Emily Haigh who simply oozed confidence as she covered a lot of ground at the apron of the stage belting out the Amy Winehouse hit, 'Valerie'.
The funk band certainly delievered what it promised with a, well, funky version of The Specials 'Message to You Rudy', again like the first two numbers, arranged by musical director Eady.
The integration of schools' music into a traditional Christmas concert was a brave move but it has paid off handsomely.
The school's head, Liz Cresswell, said it had been a delight working with the band.
'The students have learned a lot from the experience but, above all, working with the band has been an inspiration to all those who took part."
The evening concert audience didn't have the students to entertain but there was ample compensation in the form of Brighouse singer Roger Davies whose quirky take on all things Brighouse is a welcome addition to the local music scene.
With titles such as 'Peter Brook's Paintings' and 'Brighouse on a Saturday Night' it's not hard to see where his heart lies.
And the band? Free of the constraints of competition and the serious stuff, it's easy to see why they are rated as the most entertaining band in the land.
Take 'Tiger Rag'. A wonderfully raucous piece lit up by Leigh Baker's arrangement.
Add to that some stunning solos by euphonium player Steve Walsh, cornet player Steven Wilkinson and trombonist Tony Robertson, music to raise the roof ending both halves, traditional carols and some festive treats. Concert audiences are generally agreed – Christmas officially starts here.
- Pictures Gordon Ratcliffe and Stephen Firth
