The Shirley Band from the West Midlands recently held a successful 'Last Night of the Proms' concert at Solihull's Dovehouse Theatre.

Varley

The concert, part of the band's centenary celebrations, featured guest soloist, Helen Varley, solo horn of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, who is also a specialist brass tutor at both Birmingham Royal Conservatoire and Cheetham's School of Music.

Helen wowed the audience with 'If' by David Gates, 'Lark in the Clear Air' and 'Jenny Jones'.

Led by guest conductor and Royal Academy of Music alumni Mark Higham, the concert included Leonard Bernstein's 'Candide' overture, Philip Harper's 'Salsa Tres Prado' and traditional items, 'Jerusalem', 'I vow to thee my Country' and 'Pomp and Circumstance'.

We were delighted with the success of the concert played to a near capacity audience. It was a delight for everyone to hear Helen performBand Secretary Brian Johnson

Delighted

Band Secretary Brian Johnson told 4BR: "We were delighted with the success of the concert played to a near capacity audience. It was a delight for everyone to hear Helen perform."