Concert Reviews

At 9.30am the following day the contest began with the first of the eight bands to take the stage.
We had to wait until the afternoon though, as we were drawn last.

In between the bands during 'setup' time the audience were entertained by the Buskers. Once
again Jaguar entered a group with a slightly amended version of The 'Good the Band and The
Ugly' featuring Darren Lea and Andy Bates in full costume. Although the playing was far from our
usual standards the crowd loved water pistol shooting bandits and the roughly choreographed
band, to the extent, and much to our surprise, later that evening the band was awarded first
prize in the Buskers completion.

Sunday 5th November the band was straight back to work at a concert at the Norridge Salvation
Army. Here the band was supported by the Norridge Corp Band and Songsters. The band was
privileged to have the Bandmaster of the Chicago Staff Band and world famous composer
William Himes conduct his own arrangement of 'Elsa's Procession to the Minster' by Wagner.

Some of the bands items included the cornet solo 'Jubilance' by Jamie Cooper, American
Trilogy, Swedish Folk Song, Trombone solo' 'The Volunteer' by Kevin Lea, Gaelforce, Just a
Closer Walk, and the Horn Solo 'The Lark in the Clear Air' by Lynette Wild.

Monday evening the band held its final concert in Arlington Heights with MYSCP Youth
Orchestra. The programme includde many of the bands tour repertoire including an outstanding
performance of Rule Britannia by principal Euphonium Rob Hunt including flags - big and small!
The concert gave us the opportunity to thank Darren Lea and Simon Archer and their team for all
the hard work and efforts that had gone into making the trip very successful.

Whilst in Chicago we were pleased to make
friends with the President of the Jaguar
Association of Greater Indiana, Cliff Burk.
Cliff travelled 500 miles to come and support
the band in his 1969 E Type Jaguar.
In Cliffs words 'Coventry has something else
to be proud of!'

You can read Cliff's report