AS a showcase for Chalford Band, the 2003 Christmas concert was brilliant and easily one of the best.

All the hard work put in by musical director Steve Tubb, players and helpers paid off and the full house at Stroud Subscription Rooms was treated to a splendid mixture of music and comedy.

The new logo designed by 11-year-old David James - who received his prize, a £25 CD voucher, from vice-president Vernon Screen - looked marvellous blown up as a backcloth for the concert and trophies won during the year were gleaming on a table at the side of the stage. As compere Pete Hendy pointed out to the audience, Chalford had been in eight contests during the year and won a prize in every one.

Playing to an enthusiastic crowd rather than a critical adjudicator, senior, training and youth bands alike played better than ever and the concert's entertainment value was equally high.

We were treated to Christmas tunes and carols in various styles - Darrol Barry's clever arrangments were particularly good - and some impressive new pieces.

A highlight of the senior band's opening spot was Peter Graham's Cartoon Music in which the cartoon was brilliantly brought to life by Emily Godwin as Sylvester and Amy Tubb as Tweety Pie. Well done, Shani Wills, for the choreography and costumes.

For the Training Band Steve chose A Bridge Too Far (arranged by Frank Bryce, an old friend of the band who used to visit with Besses o' the Barn), the lovely When a Child is Born and Christmas Crackers.

Bravo Young Players of the Year

After the interval, in which Marilyn Downie and her helpers were busily selling more draw tickets, it was the turn of the Youth Band - 45 players from eight to 18 years old led by Lisa Hall. What a fine sound they made, playing Last Christmas, A Groovy Kind of Love and A Christmas Bolero.

While the combined bands were on stage to complete the programme the Young Player of the Year awards were announced, going to Craig Tranter and Adam Godwin (basses), Max Ireland and Jake Gibbons (percussionists). Steve chose Jake (15) as the overall winner.

Young Player of the Year: Jake Gibbons

The well-known operatic duet, Deep Inside the Sacred Temple, arranged by Keith Wilkinson for euphoniums, was very well played by Janet Allan and Martin Clissold. As always, they had a lovely tone and blended well together.

Then came the comedy spot everyone was waiting for - this time The Interview scripted by Steve and featuring Derrick Witts as the radio boss and Bill Williamson as the chap being interviewed for the job as BBC senior sound recordist. Good scope for Bill's sound effects, of course, and the hilarious presentation concluded with his timely accompaniment to Shani and the band's There once was an Ugly Duckling. Did he get the Job?

There was another surprise to come. The bands started up the rhythmic Soul Bossa Nova without the conductor. Where was he? Changing into a new persona as Austin Powers, that's what. What a transformation. He bopped with his baton while Lisa Hall and Chloe Witts danced at the front of the stage.

A quick change back and Steve was directing Breezing Down Broadway, Goff Richards' arrangement of hit musicals, which made a bright, foot-tapping finale plus another round of Merry Christmas Everyone as an encore. Truly a night to remember. RG