Chester Band Concert

The invitation from Paul, a Parish friend, went something like this: the Chester Brass Band and South Shore Chorale are staging a fund-raising concert in the middle of June. Would you like to be the announcer for the event?
Of course, I was intrigued ... and flattered, because it was several years since I had done any announcing besides liturgical readings. We discussed the date and time, the locale (St. Stephen's Anglican Church), and accessibility.
I thought it would be an interesting experience, so I accepted.
It turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable event!

The rehearsal was held six days before the show, in the Band's Hall, which required my getting help to negotiate two outdoor steps. When I arrived, the Band members, squeezed into a small room, were all ready.
I then met the conductor, Cdr. (Ret.) George Morrison, B.Mus, CD, former Supervisor of Music for the Canadian Armed Forces. I noted right away that, while he gave directions in a “soft-spoken” manner, he was in firm control! Therefore, I had to bring my best effort.
When I was seated, with a microphone and amp., someone was kind enough to bring me a glass of water!
We did three takes of my short “voice-overs,” and they went well.
(I would be provided with my introductory announcements, etc., during the next few days.)
On Sunday, June 16, at 2 p.m., there I was, sitting off to the right near the front of the Sanctuary, with my microphone and copy. I had already met the Rector of St. Stephen's and a number of Band members, who had been helpful. My wife and I had invited a friend, who enjoyed many styles of music.
At 3 p.m., when everyone was seated, I got my cue, and began reading the Introduction. “Voices of Spring” began with a set by the South Shore Chorale, featuring more than 50 voices, directed by John Scott, and accompanied by Sharon Gow-Knickle on piano.
They performed a number of medleys including:
-- Rogers and Hammerstein on Broadway (with most of us of an age that we could sing along -- but not aloud -- all the words to all the songs!), and
-- Les Miserables (whose sung lyrics and music were brilliantly done, but new to me).
I was impressed, of course, by the excellent choral performances, and by the skilful, sprightly accompaniment, particularly on the transitions -- on key and in tempo -- between several songs.
After intermission, it was the turn of the Chester Brass Band (all decked out in their maroon uniforms), who were performing in their 140th anniversary season:
-- Breezin' Down Broadway, as well as music by such composers as John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Howard Cable.
My turn for narrations came at the start of And American Tale, with music from the U-S Civil War.
(The trick was, Dear Reader, to speak the words, while listening to stay in tempo with the music, so that we both ended together! Easier said than done, but I managed.)
For the Finale, the Chorale (in the 'choir loft') and Band performed two numbers, including “Don't Cry For Me Argentina, from the Broadway production, 'Evita,' with a great job by soloist Caitlin Cormier.
My closing announcements included a thank-you to the audience, coupled with an invitation to attend the 'Chester Bandstand Summer Series,' every Sunday at 7 p.m. Details are available on their website, designed by Paul's company, Ketchup Films.
After the show, we discovered that my wife had taught at the same school as the Band Director's wife, and that our family and the Rector had mutual friends in Newfoundland!
Great music, great people, great fun.