A CELEBRATION Concert to recognise 60 years of unbroken service to Lydbrook Band by Robert Morgan, MBE included a liberal sprinkling of international guest stars.

The concert at at the Forest Theatre, Five Acres, included no fewer than three other guest conductors and musical tributes from five invited soloists.

Between them their championship honours with their bands include: four National Championships, five European Brass Band Championships, two British Open Championships; Great Britain Solo Champion, Norwegian National Champion, French Open Champion, Swiss Open champion, two, All England International Masters and European Brass Band Champions.

The band, which is sponsored by Forest of Dean Stone Firms Ltd., played to a packed house.

Stars of the evening included Glyn Williams on euphonium, Norwegian Cornet soloist Jarnfrid Gunnarson dressed in national costume and Brett Baker on trombone.

Robert Morgan himself was given a warm welcome performing his favourite overture, ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ and ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ which brought the house down.

Brian Jackson said: “It is a given that anyone who buys a ticket for a Lydbrook Band concert knows they will be treated to brass band music of the highest quality.

“Last Saturday’s concert was no different; in fact the music making was quite simply - exceptional!

“There are no other words to describe a programme containing guest artists of international renown in the world of banding.

“The concert was a tribute, a celebration of Robert Morgan’s 60 years of unbroken service to Lydbrook Band in particular and music in general.”

The varied programme included works from Les Miserables, Village People Porgy and Bess, an original piece from the band’s resident composer Liz Lane and a rousing encore of ’76 Trombones’.