THE Guild Hall in Preston was packed out on Sunday (Jan 11), and people even turned up without tickets in the hope of seeing a brass bonanza.

And no wonder, for The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marine's and JJB Sports Leyland Band were a delight to watch.

They presented a varied programme which had the audience tapping their feet, clapping along, and waving Union Jacks and hankies.

Richard Evans, who has conducted the award-winning Leyland group for 20 years, delighted in bringing together some of the world's most accomplished musicians.

Fellow conductor Captain David Cole of the Marines was showing off and his players responded enthusiastically to his flamboyant moves. Who could blame him for making the most of his final visit to Preston with the Marines?

The musicians established a rapport with the audience which cheered them on at every turn, and they were rewarded with classical marches, movie hits, an Irish jig and a boppy jazz piece, to mention but a few.

Highlights included a tribal ritual dance by JJB Leyland Band featuring a percussion solo; The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Marines; and the Massed Bands performance of Last of the Mohicans.

The evening was such a tremendous success, not a split note (bar those played for effect!) nor a missed cue throughout - just brilliant bands and lots of fun.

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