The Rotary Clubs of City of Liverpool, Liverpool Exchange, Liverpool Garston, South Sefton and West Derby united for a great evening’s Gala Concert. N.B. Note change from earlier date of 16th May.
Take me to the PromsOn Saturday the 30th May the Frodsham Silver Band played at St Georges Hall, Liverpool in The Liverpool Rotary Club Gala Concert in aid of charity.The concert comprised acts as diverse as; Sarah Chidlow (2013 Mersyside Singer of the year), Alex Smith (electronic violinist), The Cheshire Chords Company (ladies acapello chorus), Steve McFarlane(a Scottish Neil Sedaka!) The Night & Days (Vocal harmony group) and Leading Lights (West End leading stars promoters) and of course Frodsham Silver Band.
The band kicked the evening off with the National Anthem and the Rudetzki March, led by its conductor Norman Denaro. Norman, now 84, has been at the helm of Frodsham Silver Band since 1993. The 35 piece band contains no less than six of Normans relatives! Norman said; “I loved playing at St Georges Hall. It is a fabulous concert hall and was once referred to by Charles Dickens as the best place on earth to listen to music. I hope he would have enjoyed this evening.”
After a hectic weekend of competition at the famous Saddleworth Whit Friday contest, Norman’s Daughter Carolyn took the baton for the remainder of the evening. She guided the band through music as diverse as the theme tune to Games of Thrones, Les Miserables and Hootenanny , culminating in a rousing “Last Night of the Proms” style medley of Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory sung by Sarah Chidwell.
Harry Grimshaw-Smith, 80 from Caergwrle, North Wales commented “there is nothing like a little pomp and circumstance to get the heart pumping”.
For over 100 years the band has provided an outlet for established musical talent, a nursery for budding youngsters, and a friendly environment in which they always try to do their best, but have a bit of a giggle in the process.
We perform in public, across the North West, throughout the year. Those performances range from the relative modesty of a local Care Home to the grandeur of St Georges Hall last weekend in Liverpool. Our aim is to share the enjoyment we have from our music and earn just enough of a crust to keep the band operating.
Norman’s final word on the band; “It is all about enjoyment; for us and for our listeners. Silver bands can be stuffy affairs. Not so at Frodsham.
For videos check out the Frodsham Silver Band You Tube channel.
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