A LARGE crowd came together for the Summer Concert of the Salisbury Concert Band.

The 60-strong band, founded and conducted by Chris Holmes and looking forward to its 10th anniversary next year, presented a varied and very enjoyable programme. A fantastic start with Cole Porter’s A Symphonic Portrait was followed by the delightful Paris Sketches by Martin Ellerby.

After the interval, the band performed a successful arrangement of the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart.

The Candide Suite by Bernstein is a gem, taken from the operetta of the same name. The concert concluded with a medley of music from Miss Saigon, which sent everybody home in good spirits.

The band’s sound is perfectly balanced with numerous fantastic soloists. The strong percussion section provided excellent support throughout. In each half the audience was also treated to music performed by the talented Sarah Freestone, with Spanish and Latin American guitar music in the first half and some breathtaking violin playing in the second.

Robert Key, president of the band, was an entertaining compère as always.

UTE SCHWARTING