I need a rest

Following a long walk around the town on Friday, I was down at the Auditorium on Saturday morning for the final rehearsal. Judging by what I heard, we were in for a real treat at the concert.

Saturday, 8pm, the auditorium was packed, the audience ready for what was to come. First order of the day, introducing new members to the band. Then the presentation of silver pins to three musicians who are long serving members and have made a significant impact on music in the town.

Finally the concert could start. On the programme we had; Suspiros De Espana by Antonio Alvarez Alonso, George Bizet’s Carmen, Four Scottish Dances by Malcolm Arnold. the Witch and the Saint ( a German piece) and a composite of music from the film A West Side Story.

Afterwards two thoughts came to my mind. 1) the band were playing with greater precision – hitting the notes just right with immaculate timing and 2) there was a lot more confidence about the solo parts. In the past, the solos have been good and in some cases delivered with panache by the best of musicians. Some of the younger players though have sounded nervous and perhaps rushed. Not so on Saturday, it was all as close to perfection as we are likely to hear.

At the end of the concert, the band were given a well deserved and rare standing ovation by a discerning audience who clearly appreciated the effort that had gone into the performance.

Not able to rest on their laurels, the band were back in action on Sunday morning as they processed Santa Cecilia around the streets to the church for a special mass. I didn’t stay for the mass but I am told that the band’s performance there was equal to that on Saturday night.

After all that hard work, it was time to relax and enjoy a good meal. The lunch that Pam and I were very kindly invited to was definitely special. We came away with very full stomachs and that satisfying feeling that only comes from eating tasty food in great company. 

My albums of photos are available for you to view – just select them from the left hand sidebar. You can also download any photos that you like in a size suitable for printing by going to my Dropbox at  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6n2erdekf2vhu9k/AAA0qJ9pwbAGaCNWA-w4ouGIa?dl=0

Finally, I would like to thank the band for doing me the honour of asking me to take their photos, for the warm hospitality they showed me and for the wonderful lunch that Pam and I enjoyed. The task I undertook was both enjoyable and exhausting in equal measures.

¡Viva Bigastro, viva la banda y viva Santa Cecilia!