Wantage Band Snowman melts our hearts

Wantage Band Christmas Concert

at Arlington Arts

on Sunday, December 15

Review by FIONA BENNETT

AS I arrived at Arlington Arts on Sunday afternoon, I was delighted to see families, wearing Santa hats, walking towards the theatre entrance in anticipation of an afternoon of Christmas music and a special showing of the Raymond Briggs’ award-winning animated story The Snowman.

Wantage Band took to the stage and our Mistress of Ceremonies, Sarah Roe (herself a member of Wantage Concert Brass), introduced our musical director Chris King. Without further ado, they launched into the traditional piece Let The Bells Ring, arranged for brass band by Christopher Bond and the fabulous sound of this Championship Section band hit us right between the eyes – a veritable wall of sound, it really was amazing.

We were treated to Symphonic Highlights from the musical Frozen (much to the excitement of the younger members of the audience) and The Twelve Days of Christmas was an absolute hoot. Four unsuspecting members of the audience were enticed on to the stage, each responsible for holding up the right cards at the right time in order for us to sing along. The words were printed inside the programme, but as the house lights remained dimmed, we weren’t able to read them!

Another treat for the youngsters was Chris’ brilliant arrangement of the song Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked and principal cornet Richard Selvidge serenaded us with Away in a Manger, beautifully accompanied by his fellow musicians.

Then, the moment we’d all been waiting for – The Snowman. This delightful short film, first broadcast in 1982, has stood the test of time and is still a firm favourite with children and adults alike. As we were on the same campus as the Mary Hare School for deaf students, it was wonderful that Sarah was able to sign the story and even taught us all how to sign the words ‘We’re walking in the air…’

Raymond Briggs’s story is guaranteed to raise a smile, especially when the Snowman sports James’ dad’s false teeth and grins out at us from the big screen. King Alfred’s Academy student Grace Clark joined the band to sing the famous song which was a real highlight and the clever use of the harp sounds on the electronic piano, played by Andrew McKenna, added an extra layer of sparkle – the whole performance was magical.

A jolly version of Jingle Bells (in the style of The Floral Dance) brought the afternoon to a close and we all felt very Christmassy as we drove home.

Thank you Chris, thank you Sarah, Andrew and Grace and a huge thank you to Wantage Band – you’re amazing!