A BOROUGH brass band, whose film concert last year was a sell-out, returns this month to revive their musical accompaniment to a screening of The Snowman.
St Sebastians Wokingham Brass Band will also be performing in concerts, school fairs, carol services and traditional carols in and around Wokingham.
Their live musical accompaniment to The Snowman last year was so popular that this time they are putting on two shows, a matinee for families, followed by a gala performance.
Both screenings will be followed by Christmas music from the band.
There are a number of other opportunities to hear the band play this month.
On Saturday, December 9, they will carolling be at Wokingham Town Hall, from 1pm, and later that day, at the town’s Dog and Duck pub, from 4.30pm.
The following daytime, on Sunday, December 10, they will be playing again, this time at Wokingham’s Waitrose store.
People can also hear them perform at Wokingham Masonic Centre, on Wednesday evening, December 13.
Then, on Sunday, December 17, they will be at St Sebastian’s Church, Wokingham Without, from 6.30pm, and at Wokingham Baptist Church, later that evening.
On the evening of Thursday, December 21, they will be at The Lexicon shopping centre, Bracknell, and on Saturday, December 23, in the daytime, they will be carolling at Wokingham Waitrose.
But their film performance is the highlight of the season.
Sian Moorhouse, the band’s concert secretary, said: “This is our third year performing The Snowman.
“It’s the performance we’re most excited about, and it was so popular last time round that we decided to add an extra performance.
“The slightly shorter afternoon show will end with children’s songs such as, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, for everyone to join in with.
“The evening gala performance is followed by a traditional concert of carols and Christmas music.”
Performing to a film comes with challenges.
“The first time we did this, in 2019, we realised just how difficult it is to keep in time with the film, said Ms Moorhouse.
“For example, there’s a bit where a snowball hits a cat, and we have to make sure that we highlight that with a note at exactly the right time.
“Our conductor, John Watts, has had to find inventive ways to keep us all exactly to time.”
St Sebastian has partnered with Share Wokingham, who are providing refreshments for the event.
Proceeds from these will help to support the food distributing charity,
Both film showings are at Wokingham Baptist Church, on Saturday, December 16.
A relaxed matinee at 3.30pm, will be followed by a gala showing and concert at 6.30pm.
Tickets cost £12 for adults, £6 for under 18s, and are free for under twos on laps.
Tickets are available via the ticket link: www.ticketsource.co.uk (search for stsebswokingham), or by calling: 07544774528.
For more information, visit: www.wokinghambrassband.org
