"The Magic of Music" was an inspired choice of title for this concert because that is exactly what the full-house audience at The Capitol Theatre were treated to – a magical evening of music.

The Slinfold Concert Band under the direction of Malcolm Gay played magnificently throughout and the audience responded accordingly, showing their approval of the high level of performance by these talented musicians.

Philip Sparke's lively "Concert Prelude" was chosen to open the proceedings, to be followed by a sprightly performance of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes". "Light Cavalry" by Franz Von Suppe set feet tapping and then we were transported to the world of the Palm Courts of the thirties with Charles Anciffe's "Nights of Gladness".

The first soloist of the evening was the band's very talented flautist Caroline Lisk who captivated the audience with her performance of Mozart's "Queen of the Night's Aria" from "The Magic Flute". In complete contrast the next piece was Hendriks' arrangement of the rip-roaring "Country – Call" for which the band donned an assortment of suitable (?) rustic headgear and joined in a raucous chorus of "Yipees" and other dubious rural shouts.

Soloist Ed Bentall was next, reviving memories of the film "Brassed Off" with his sensitive rendition of an adaptation by Malcolm Gay of Rodrigo's "Concerto De Aranjuez". Ed chose to play cornet rather than the flugelhorn and proved the piece could sound just as beautiful as on the original instrument in the film. The stirring march "Pentland Hills", again adapted by Malcolm Gay, concluded the first half of the concert.

Another fine march, "Punchinello" by William Rimmer got the second half underway, and then came Ted Huggins' hauntingly beautiful "Choral and Rock-out", a piece of two contrasting movements, which would probably have been new to many in the audience.

The band's lead alto saxophonist, Jo Luckman, now took centre stage to play Ray Woodfield's arrangement of Lennon & McCartney's "Yesterday". This is a deceptively difficult solo to play but it was not a problem for Jo whose confident rendition was warmly received by the audience. Paul Jennings' arrangement of "Where No Man Has Gone Before", given full rein by the band, would have been a joy to all "Star Trek" fans present!

The audience required very little encouragement from musical director Malcolm to clap along to Luther Henderson's arrangement of the infectious "The Saints' Hallelujah" before the final soloist of the evening, clarinettist Melanie Moore stepped up to play another Ray Woodfield arrangement: "After You've Gone". This reviewer closed his eyes and dreamt he was in the joyful presence of the late, great Benny Goodman. Yes – Melanie is that good!

The beautiful "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Le Miserable", this version arranged by Steve Cortland, was another huge favourite with the audience before we came to the final piece of the evening: Otto Nicola's "Merry Wives of Windsor". Of course, Malcolm was persuaded to return to the stage to direct the band through the encore – what else but – "Sussex By The Sea".

A wonderful evening of magical music with the added bonus of raising a lot of much-needed money for the very worthy Horsham Hospital League of Friends'.

Ron Green 9th March 2010.

Extracts from this review can be seen in the County Times

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