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41 years might seem an unusual anniversary to celebrate, but La Ronde Concert Band are going all out in a special concert tonight... which will feature a tune composed specially for the occasion.
After covid scuppered their ability to celebrate their 40th in style, La Ronde are coming together at Howard Davis Park this evening at 19:30. It is free to attend for all islanders, but there will be a charity collection.
Joining the band for this special celebration will be a group of younger musicians from Haute Vallée School, where the band's conductor, Charlotte Cooper, works as Head of Music.
She hopes that this first taste of playing in a band will encourage them to continue playing after school – and, hopefully, even into adulthood.
Charlotte has even composed a piece especially for them – and promised La Ronde that it wouldn’t be too hard.
Pictured: La Ronde Concert Band plays for Liberation Day. (David Ferguson)
Tracy Bromley, one of the founding members of the band, was full of praise for the bravery and dedication of the new, younger players.
“There is so much that can divert us to do something else, to go and meet friends – and practicing actually is real hard work," she said.
As well as the specially composed piece, a variety of other tunes feature on the programme for this evening.
La Ronde will be starting the evening with its band’s calling-card – Gounod's Marche Militaire La Ronde – before going on to play well-loved classics from The Lion King and the Schindler’s List soundtrack.
A particularly tough piece to learn was Transcendent Journey by Rossano Galante.
The band plans to finish the night with a piece by Ennio Morricone, famous for the soundtracks of many a Western.
The La Ronde team say they're always keen to hear from potential new members and people who are interested in joining can attend rehearsals for a few weeks to find out if they enjoy it. In particular, they're currently on the hunt for percussionists.
Find out more about the band on their website here.
Pictured - top: Charlotte Cooper, who has been La Ronde's conductor for the last decade, has composed a piece for the new young players. (Rob Currie)
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