'Rejoice' Concert

It was a lovely afternoon in the Blue Mountains on Sunday 26 th June 2022 when the combined bands of Blue Mountains Concert Band and Mountains Youth Band, under the baton of Garry Clark, performed Rejoice - a concert of music inspired by human hope and happiness. The 50-strong ensemble charmed the audience at St Finbar’s church in Glenbrook with a delightful repertoire, which included Jupiter, from The Planets, Chariots of Fire, and Into the West. The concert also featured some beautiful solo performances of band members performing What a Wonderful World, Gabriel’s Oboe, and Where’re You Walk.

Two special guest artists also performed at the concert. Organist Samuel Tien performed Siciliene by Maria Theresia von Paradis and Toccata in B Minor by Gigout, on the historic (c. 1880) Hele organ at St Finbar’s church. In the second half of the concert, soloist Owen Morris, principal trumpet of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, combined with the concert band ensemble. Owen grew up in the Blue Mountains and joined Mountains Youth Band at the age of 9 years. He was warmly welcomed back to the Blue Mountains to join with the band performing, on solo trumpet and flugelhorn, A Trumpeter’s Lullaby, En Aranjuez con tu Amor, Ave Maria and St Clement.

As we all emerge from the pandemic, it is clear that band members and audiences alike are united in their enjoyment of the return of live music. It was a lovely afternoon and a beautiful concert.