On Saturday 27th January Winchester Cathedral and those present said farewell in the grandest possible manner to the Band and Bugles of The Light Division which, on 1st February 2007 became the Band and Bugles of The Rifles . Directing the Band on this prestigious occasion was Major Calum Gray joined by special guest soloists; organist Sarah Baldock and David Childs.

David had been invited to take part in this concert by Major Callum Gray (Director of Music) who had been particularly impressed when watching him perform Philip Wilby's Euphonium Concerto on BBC television with the BBC Philharmonic during the Young Musician of the year Competition. Winchester cathedral was certainly a fitting location for such an auspicious occasion.

David performed the Horovitz Euphonium Concerto in the first part of the concert which provided the ideal opportunity to display both his technical agility and some beautiful lyrical playing in the slow movement, to which the sonorous acoustic of the cathedral was especially suited.

Returning in the second half David performed back-to-back the more light-hearted favourites; Brillante (Graham) and Carnival of Venice (Arban) with his usual aplomb before being joined by organist Sarah Baldock in the beautiful Maori Folk Song, Pokarekare Ana. Many listeners would never have heard the Euphonium featured as a solo instrument before, but the capacity audience was held spellbound by this wonderful performance.

The Band and Bugles of The Light Division have been based in Sir John Moore Barracks on the outskirts of Winchester since their formation in 1994. They succeeded the Regimental Bands of The Light Infantry and Royal Green Jackets that served in Winchester for many years before that. It was fitting, therefore, that their final concert as The Band and Bugles of The Light Division should be performed in Winchester Cathedral. One final Flourish before the New Dawn!

Review: Nick Weeks