Basingstoke Concert Band marks 50th anniversary with concert

The band took to the stage at The Haymarket, celebrating its golden jubilee in style on Sunday, September 20.

The event drew a crowd of more than 200 people, including former members, friends, supporters and the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Jacky Tustain.

Basingstoke Concert Band has marked its 50th anniversary. (Image: Mike Gourlay)

The concert was a musical journey, starting with the ceremonial Festmusik der Stadt Wien by Richard Strauss and moving on to Fiesta by local composer Philip Andrews.

Fiesta was specially commissioned for the band's 50th anniversary.

The programme also included a performance by guest conductor Mark Atkins, who retired as musical director in 2024, and a solo by Nicky Raimbaux.

Other highlights included the lively Blue Rock by Philip Sparke, the cinematic Pirates of the Caribbean and a personal introduction to Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story.

After the interval, the band played Gustav Holst's Moorside March, among other pieces.

The afternoon ended with a performance of Moment for Morricone, a selection of Ennio Morricone's famous film music.

The band will next perform in a Christmas Concert at Queen Mary's College on Sunday, December 6, which will include a performance of The Snowman alongside the film animation.