The autumn schedule is always hectic for the Michelmersh Silver Band as it rehearses for its annual Remembrance Concert in aid of the Poppy Appeal and its two popular Christmas shows at the Plaza Theatre.

The decision to squeeze in a contest paid dividends at the weekend as they returned with no fewer than three trophies. 

The band impressed the adjudicators with a short concert programme of five pieces at the Oxford Entertainment Contest and was rewarded with plenty of silverware to bring back to its trophy cabinet. 

Carrie Day, Jo Keca and Meg Boler were awarded the best horn section of the day prize; percussionist Mark Streather was voted best instrumentalist, and the band won the best band overall trophy. 

Hampshire Chronicle:

Conductor Melvin White led the band, opening the programme with a rousing piece by Tom Davoren called ‘Proclamation’ - very appropriate just two months after the band had played in the Memorial Park for the Test Valley Proclamation of the new monarch King Charles III. 

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This will also be the opening piece in the United Reformed Church in Romsey on Friday (November 11) evening when the band performs A Royal Remembrance, a concert taking an affectionate look back in music, at the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and remembers the fallen in this, the fortieth anniversary year of the Falklands War. 

All proceeds of the concert, to be compered by ITV presenter Rachel Hepworth, will go to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Tickets for ‘A Royal Remembrance’ are available from the Romsey Visitor Centre or at the door.