Perthshire Brass delight locals with Alyth show

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in east Perthshire and that is due in no small part to the talented members of Perthshire Brass, writes Clare Damodaran.

The tireless band is currently in the midst of one of their busiest times of year, entertaining crowds and audiences of all ages at events throughout the region.

And lucky east Perthshire music fans were treated to an indoor performance by the band at Alyth Town Hall on Sunday night.

There was plenty of toe tapping and hand clapping as those gathered enjoyed a number of festive classics, including It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Santa Baby, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and White Christmas.

Other festive hits included Merry Christmas Everyone, complete with sleigh bells, Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day, and Fairytale of New York which featured a tuba solo by Craig Dennis.

The band also performed beautiful versions of Walking in the Air and Away in a Manger that were both moving and rousing, a Bavarian waltz, The Floral Dance and a Christmas ‘swing-a-long’ medley.

Band leader George Annan thanked everyone for coming along to the concert, which was the band’s fourth performance of the weekend, as well everyone who donated items for the raffle and helped serve the refreshments, and the volunteers from Alyth Youth Partnership who also helped out on the night.

He added: “The biggest thanks of all must go to the band who tirelessly turn up to almost everything and perform in all weathers.”

Local councillor for the Strathmore ward Dennis Melloy attended the concert with his wife Libby after enjoying the Christmas lights switchon and carol singing in Meigle that afternoon.

Councillor Melloy said: “Perthshire Brass gave a wonderful concert in Alyth Town Hall. The band is a mix of all ages as they encourage young people to play an instrument and the band’s musical director and conductor George Annan managed to mix humour, conducting and playing the euphonium during the performance.

“This was the fourth concert the band had played at over the weekend and anyone who wasn’t there missed a rare treat.

“It was a busy Christmas weekend in the area as we also enjoyed a carol concert in Meigle Church on Saturday with Meigle Musicality who once again pulled out all the stops entertaining the packed church to raise money for cancer charities in the area, and the official switching-on of the Christmas lights in the village too on Sunday.

“Driving home through the brilliant Alyth Christmas lights, which must be some of the best in Scotland, my wife Libby and I felt that we were now well and truly in the Christmas spirit.”

There was plenty of toe-tapping as those gathered enjoyed many festive classics