ROMSEY Abbey is set to host the band’s welcome back concert this month after its pandemic-induced absence of almost two years.

On Saturday October 30 the Michelmersh silver Band will perform a programme of music to suit all tastes from the operatic to the cinematic, the classic to the modern.

Prevented from rehearsing or performing together during lockdown, band members were forced to find alternative means of making music by recording their individual parts in their own homes to be woven together to produce virtual band recordings posted on social media.

At the event, audience members will see a Last Night of the Proms-style musical tour of the British Isles to celebrate the 150th anniversary of The Royal Albert Hall with Malcolm Arnold’s Scottish Dance, The Minstrel Boy from Peter Graham’s Gaelforce from Ireland, Men of Harlech from Wales and William Blake’s Jerusalem from England.

The evening will culminate in a celebration of being together and making music as the band invites the audience to join in as it plays Sir Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs.

Band Secretary, Claire Topp said: “For almost two years our main source of income, our concert revenue, has been denied us so we are of course really hoping that our wonderful Romsey audience will support us by buying tickets but, even more importantly, we are just so looking forward to getting back to what we love doing – performing and making music together.”

Hampshire’s premier brass band plays a prominent part in Romsey life being a major part in the town’s civic events, Christmas celebrations, and performing its popular programme of concerts in various local venues.

Tickets for Michelmersh Silver Band in Romsey Abbey are available from Romsey Tourist Information 01794 512987 or www.romseyabbey.org.uk/music/concerts

Always keen to take part in contests, the band have also entered The Cory Band’s International Virtual Brass Band Contest with a programme of three pieces representing Romsey and the Test Valley.