Chalford Band remembers stalwart Pat at Stroud Christmas concert

MUSICIANS dedicated their Christmas concert to a stalwart member who died last month.
Chalford Band's sell-out Christmas concert at Stroud Subscription Rooms remembered Pat Etherton.
Auld Lang Syne was added to the programme as a tribute to the bass trombonist, 81, who played with Chalford for 44 years and Wotton-under-Edge for the last 11 years.
Hundreds of fans enjoyed a fantastic evening of seasonal music and fun which featured the band's 70 players in four groups who packed the stage when combined for the latter part of the programme, arranged and conducted by the musical director, Steve Tubb.
The senior band, who will be competing in the championship section next year, were in top form, including a swinging Glenn Miller Christmas medley arranged  by Philip Harper and a superb euphonium solo from Les Pearse with the ballad Be my Love made famous by Mario Lanza.
The promising  junior band, hailed as the future stars, were  trained and conducted by Bev Godwin, who was later presented with the player of the year award. voted by members. Cornettist Freddie Owens won the junior player of the year award and the young player of the year was 11-year-old George Hill (soprano cornet).
The Academy Band's welcome spot featured the trombone section in I will follow Him. Chalford Youth Band - this year's national junior champions - displayed the high standard which won them the coveted title. Two of their key players, Lucy Foster (flugelhorn) and Freya Damsell (principal trombone) played a duet, Baby it's cold outside, with confidence and style.
After the interval came the eagerly-awaited comedy sketch - A Night at the Movies in Glorious 4D - by Cheapskate Productions (Bill Williamson, Amy Tubb, Steve Tubb and Derrick Witts). It was clever, hilarious and well staged.
The conductor's own splendid arrangement of The Pogues' Fairytale of New York was a highlight from the combined bands who played Breezin' down Broadway as a finale. The audience still wanted more so Chalford's great all-age team went out  Rocking around the Christmas Tree.