What springs to mind when you think of American music? Elvis? Broadway shows? Jazz? John Williams? Stirring Sousa marches? The Blues? Well, Campbelltown Band’s latest concert, Made in the USA, had the lot. Combine all this with a sumptuous afternoon tea (including biscuits painstakingly iced with the Stars and Stripes) and you have a winner.
Highlights included Julie Dorey’s swinging interpretation of Georgia on my Mind, Carolyn’s haunting homage to Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and our multi-talented MD’s channeling of Louis Armstrong (minus the gravelly voice) in What a Wonderful World. Steve Packer and Jordan Belperio starred in the encore with their skilled interpretation of piccolo solos on euphonium and soprano cornet. (It helped if you kept your eyes closed.)
As usual Sue Smith linked everything together with her informed commentary. We especially appreciated her tribute to Nola Brockhouse, who has attended all our concerts for over 30 years. We missed you, Nola, and hope you enjoyed the recording of our salute to your personal favourite, King Elvis.
Thanks to Andrew Parkinson for filling in on trombone and Jordan Miegel on percussion and to Rosanna Barton who organizes all the afternoon tea suppliers and helpers. Thanks also to Mark Thearle, our cashier. Players in the band get all the applause, but we would be lost without all these long-suffering family supporters.
