Festive Music Captivates 'Overflowing' Centre
More than 200 people helped raise almost £380 whilst enjoying the Christmas Spirit. Rustington Parish Council's annual Christmas Carol Concert, at the Woodlands Centre, Woodlands Avenue, Rustington, last Friday [Actually, it was Saturday], was declared a resounding success.
A spokesperson for the council said "The hall was, as usual, crammed to overflowing for the well-established community event. The audience were captivated by the singing of the Sussex West County Guide Choir and the Friendship Singers. The Littlehampton Concert Band accompanied the Christmas Carols and also performed it's own captivating selection of festive music to the delight of everyone present".
There were also special contributions from council chairman Sue Lines, vice-chairman Aman Akbar and the compere, councillor Graham Tyler. Mrs Lines said the concert had been "superb effort" and expressed her gratitude on behalf of the council to all the performers and organisers. The retiring collection is to be donated to the Rustington in Bloom campaign.
As printed in the Littlehampton Gazette on Thursday, December 24, 2009
Band urges fancy dress for concert
THE audience is encouraged to turn up in fancy dress when Littlehampton Concert Band holds its concert, on a Hallowe'en theme, at the Woodland Centre, Rustington, on Saturday night.
The performance follows four sell-out dates last month at three different venues for the band's Last Night of the Proms concerts. Saturday's concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets, price £5, will be on sale on the door.
As printed in the Littlehampton Gazette on Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sound of massed bands a hit here
The Massed Bands Extravaganza is now an established part of the local musical calendar. Once again, last Saturday, Worthing's Assembly Hall hosted the combined talents of Bognor Regis, Adur (Shoreham) and Littlehampton concert bands, in a programme of music for all tastes.
The bands take turns to present the event and this year it was Littlehampton Concert Band whose director, Bob Haselip, acted as compere. Tony Squires and his efficient team from 5th Littlehampton Sea Scouts acted as steqrds and skillful stage managers.
Bognor, conducted by Howard Burchfield, began with Overture - not one overture but snippets from no fewer than 12. They evoked nostalgia, firstly in a selection from Mamma Mia! (abba) and then in a Cartoon Symphony.
Adur, with Howard's twin brother Andrew directing, reminded us of the bravery of the "Cockleshell Heroes" in their canoes. Next followed for me the highlight of the evening, Roever and Korb's Highland Cathedral, a wonderful fusion of band and bagpipes featuring an immaculate guest piper.
Littlehampton gave us a selection from Cats and, reflecting their size, chose Chattaway's Parade of the Tall Ships as opposed to Adur's canoes, concluding with Leroy Anderson's take on the Irish Washerwoman which went faster and faster.
After the interval, all three bands crammed the stage in magnificent unity, each of the conductors taking his turn to direct the combined forces. Commencing with Philip Sparke's Concert Prelude, we enjoyed film themes, musicals and even more nostalgia with a selection of songs made famous by the "Fab Four". In true local tradition, this excellent concert concluded with Sussex-by-the-Sea.
Written by Jim Hurdwell and as printed in the Littlehampton Gazette on Thursday, February 26, 2009
Bands extravaganza
NOW In its fifth year, the Massed Bands Extravaganza, coming to Worthing's Assembly Hall on Saturday, is seen by many as a highlight of the year for amateur musicians. Littlehampton, Adur and Bognor concert bands meet on stage for performances that will include many numbers from films, stage shows and classical music.
The three bands will perform individually as well as together in one musical extravaganza. They will be under the batons of twin brothers Andrew and Howard Burchfield, conductors of Adur and Bognor concert bands respectively, and Bob Haselip, conductor of the Littlehampton Concert Band. The annual musical event, which starts at 7:30pm, has become as popular as Littlehampton's Last Night of the Proms, which means tickets are sold very quickly.
Tickets £8 (unreserved) available online at www.worthingtheatres.co.uk or from the box office on 01903 206206.
As printed in the Littlehampton Gazette on Thursday, February 19, 2009
Massed-bands extravaganza
A NIGHT of musical excellence is expected, when three bands work their talents together. Littlehampton Concert Band will join forces with Bognor Concert Band and Adur Concert Band, for the fifth annual Massed Bands Extravaganza, at Worthing Assembly Hall, Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing, next Saturday (February 21).
Jan de Landtsheer, press officer for the Littlehampton band, pictures above at last years event, said "This annual musical event has become as popular as the Littlehampton Last Night of the Proms, which means tickets are sold quickly and can be sold out days before the concert."
He added that bands would be under the batons of twin brothers Andrew and Howard Burchfield, conductors of Adur and Bognor concert bands respectively, and Bob Haselip, conductor of the Littlehampton Concert Band.
Tickets for the show, which starts at 7:30pm, are £8 each, and can be purchased by calling 01903 206206 or going to www.worthingtheatres.co.uk.
As printed in the Littlehampton Gazette on Thursday, February 12, 2009
Celebrating Christmas and helping Homeless
ST MARY'S Church, Littlehampton, was packed for Littlehampton Rotary Club's annual Christmas concert, featuring Littlehampton Concert Band, Julie Le Manquais as the principal soloist and the choirs of Arun Vale Infant School, Connaught Junior School and Elm Grove Infant School.
Club president Ann Findlay welcomed guests, including Ashvin Patel, chairman of Arun District Council, and Littlehampton mayor Alan Gammon, all the parents, grandparents and brothers and sisters of the children taking part, together with Rotarians, Littlehampton Inner Wheel Club members and the public.
The programme gave the audience plenty of opportunities to join in their favourite carols, and also to enjoy the school choirs performing. Julie Le Manquais sang several beautiful Christmas songs and the band, conducted by musical director Bob Haselip, provided excellent accompaniment throughout the evening, as well as playing instrumental numbers.
Ellie Owen, 10, a pupil of Connaught Junior School, gave an excellent reading of the Christmas story. St Mary's vicar Fr Roger Caswell gave the blessing and a retiring collection was taken for the homeless charity HOMElink.
As printed in the Littlehampton Gazette on Thursday, January 1, 2009
Rustington's community concert is a blooming fine occasion
IT WAS a full house of festive fun at Rustington's annual community carol concert. More than 200 people listened to the Sussex West Guide Choir, the Friendship Singers and the Littlehampton Concert Band at the event, which was held at the Woodland Centre, Woodlands Avenue.
A spokeswoman for Rustington Parish Council said: "The hall was, as usual, crammed to overflowing for this well-established, community event. The Littlehampton Concert Band accompanied the Christmas carols and also performed its own captivating selection of festive music, to the delight of everyone present.
There were also special contributions from the chairman of the parish council, Mike Warrington, and the compere, Graham Tyler. Almost £300 was raised through a retiring collection, which is to be donated to the donated to the Rustington In Bloom 2009 campaign.
Mr Warrington said the concert had, once again, been a superb event, and expressed his gratitude to all the performers and those responsible for its organisation..
As printed in the Littlehampton Gazette on Thursday, January 1, 2009
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