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25 October 2016 - Los Alcazares Tour 2016

It seems impossible to think that only 24 hours ago we were basking in sunshine and temperatures of 26 degrees.  
 
Our band tour to Spain began at 0100 hrs on Wednesday 19 October, as we loaded the coach at the band room and started our journey to Birmingham Airport, picking up the Gloucester contingent on the way.  By lunchtime we had arrived at Alicante, all instruments intact, and we made our way to our base at The Hotel Narejos near Los Alcazares.  A quick rehearsal followed then the day was our own to do with what we wanted, until our journey on the local land train to check out what the area had to offer.  Happy hour commenced at 1700 hrs and was followed by dinner, dancing and then a well deserved rest in bed.
 
Day two saw us catching the coach to Murcia for the first of our four concerts.  The Cathedral was a magnificent theatre in which to play and all players agreed it was a real privilege to do so.  The programme saw solo performances from Phil Storer (Rusulka's Song to the Moon), Tracey King (Concerto de Aranjuez) and Nigel Howard (A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square), together with a moving rendition of Liz Lane's "Antiphonary".  Other pieces included Riverdance and Toccata from Suite Gothique.  We enjoyed a good audience who fully appreciated our performance, none more so than the Minister who stated at the end "we don't know what heaven is like but after the music today we came closer to finding out".  Another message received after the concert described it as "delicious".  
 
Murcia CathedralBasses all in a row
Band playing in cathedralPhil Storer playing Rusalka's Song to the Moon
Tracey King playing Concerto de AranjuezNigel Howard playing A Nighting Gale Sand in Barkley Square
The Band outside the Cathedral
 
Our second concert of the day was held in Loz Alcazares' Town Hall, and what better way to get there then by the local land train, a totally unique experience for us all.  This time we had performances from Jo Ainsworth (Be My Love), Trevor Moss (The Bare Necessities) and Nigel Howard (A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square), together with a programme including Bohemian Rhapsody, Breezing Down Broadway, Bugler's Holiday and our own March Lydbrook.  Again we were well received, although audience numbers were slightly smaller due to a small rain shower earlier in the day (apparently the Spaniards won't go out if it has or is due to rain at any time in the day - good job they don't live in the UK!).
 
Los Alcazares Town HallThe Band arriving on the land train
Joanna Ainsworth playing Be My LoveNigel Howard playing A Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square
Our cornets playing Bugler's Holiday
 
Day three saw us enjoy a free morning; some chose to visit the beach, others to stroll around the local area.  After lunch we made our way to Rojales for our third concert of the tour as guests of Just Brass, a local expatriate brass band.  As well as pieces from Just Brass themselves, this concert's programme featured soloists Jack Lythaby (Grandfather's Clock) and Lyndon Baglin (The Cavalier), together with a massed band at the end where we played The Floral Dance, Nimrod and the 1812 overture.  During this massed band section there was also a special dedication in remembrance of the Aberfan disaster of 1966.
 
Jack Lythaby playing Grandfather's ClockLyndon Baglin playing The Cavalier
The Band on StageMassed Band with Just Brass
The AudienceThe Audience
 
Day four was a totally free day so we made use of the time by visiting Guadalest, a small village in the mountains just North of Benidorm. The village grew up around a fortress, with the local population living within the protection of the castle walls.  The river Guadalest runs through the area and has been dammed to form a spectacular reservoir below the village.  We were joined on this day by local tour guide Marcus, who provided a running commentary of the local area during the journey, together with a quite unique form of entertainment.  He will be remembered fondly by all.
 
The reservoir below GuadalestThe Band at Guadalest
 
Day five, our last day, was spent visiting Catagena, Spain's oldest port town housing the world's first submarine and an ancient Roman ampitheatre and bull ring.  Out final concert was held in the evening in the hotel itself and we were joined by The Spangles Ladies Harmony Chorus, a local barbershop choir and two times Spanish Champions. The programme included solos from Phil Storer (Carnival of Venice), Tracey King (Under the Boardwalk), Kevin Dickson-Lane (Posthorn Galop) and Trevor Moss (The Bare Necessities), together with a trio of trombones (Nigel Howard, Stephanie Howard and Wendy Jury) playing It's Not Unusual.  The hall was full of an enthusiastic audience whose appreciation was demonstrated at the end of our final piece, Riverdance, by a standing ovation. This was a fantastic end to a truly memorable five days in Spain.
 
The SpanglesPhil Storer playing Carnival of Venice
Kevin Dickson Lane playing Post Horn GallopTracey King playing Under the Boardwalk
Our MD, Ian HolmesOur Trombones playing It's not Unusual
Trevor Moss playing Bare Necessities
 
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