Taken from a recent press release... 

A new season of "Brass Content at the Crossing" was opened in terrific style by our very own, Edwinstowe based, Thoresby Colliery Band. A capacity audience of 350 were entertained with a wide and diverse programmer, highlighting the band's ability to entertain at all levels.

A stunning start to their programme with "Olympic Fanfare and Theme" and then the very contrasting Overture to "Mack and Mabel" followed, leading nicely into a feature which could be the highlight of any show, an amazing solo performance of Philip Sparke's "Flowerdale”, by one of the banding movement's finest exponents and well loved musicians, Geoff Hawley.

A change of pace came soon with the re-invention of a classic trombone trio, "The Blades of Toledo" showing off the band's excellent trombone section, Richard Walker, Mick Allen and Bob Craddock. Closing the first spot was the ever-atmospheric Paul Dukas composition, "Sorcerer's Apprentice", a moody representation, giving the band plenty of opportunity to create atmosphere and images through sounds and music.

Following the interval, the audience were welcomed back to this fantastic venue to the riveting “Valero”, this time letting their very capable cornet section take the lead and thrill this ever-enthusiastic audience. Next up was Jackie Greensted, the band's solo horn player. Jackie turned in a wonderful rendition of Richard Carpenter's “Goodbye to love”. Following the wild music of “Amazonia” came the thought provoking theme tune to Ron Howard's 1995 film “Apollo 13”, carefully arranged by the conductor's late brother, Keith Wardle, featuring the wonderful tone of flugel horn player, Kate Johnson. Kate was then joined by Thoresby's ever-popular solo euphonium player, Simon Willis for the beautiful duet, originally performed by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, “The Prayer”. Simon also featured earlier with his stirring arrangement of the 1991 Diana Ross classic, “When you tell me that you love me”. The rhythmically challenging, but downright entertaining Dave Brubeck number, “Blue Rondo Ala Turk” followed that and after a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace” the band delivered their finale, “Reunion and Finale from Gettysburg”. Accompanied by a multi media projection show. The visuals and music stirred the the audience and delivered a warming and magical climax to a truly superb evening.

The band are most grateful to David Jordan and all the assistants and officials at “The Crossing”, http://www.thecrossing.co.uk/ , for making the band so welcome

Mark Wardle. The band's conductor said “The Crossing is a fantastic platform, a wonderful setting and an acoustically promoting facility to showcase any musical performance, we hope to be back there soon and wish them every success with the seasons of musical arts.”