On Saturday 1st July in the Bruce Ritchie Performing Arts Centre the combined award-winning Waitakere Auckland Brass and Auckland Police Pipe Bands yet again wowed the audience with their annual Celtic Concert. The Gaelic fayre was expertly demonstrated by members of the Feile School of Dance who danced reels and jigs to Bagpipes and Hornpipes.
Old favourites of the pipes included The Steam Train to Mallaig, Scotland the Brave, The Black Bear and the evocative melody of the Bells of Dunblane.
The Celtic Brass pieces included the favourites Men of Harlech, Greensleeves and Auld Lang Syne. Excellent Euphonium and Horn solos were performed in Calon Lan, Wee Cooper of Fife and The Piper of Dundee.
No true Celtic Night is complete without the Piping In and the Address to the Haggis. The Guard of Honour contingent came from a duo of junior pipers and was expertly addressed by Piper Lex Calder – not bad for an Englishman!
The conclusion of the concert saw the combined bands playing out with the unofficial Scottish anthem The Flower of Scotland, the popular Amazing Grace and the lilting melody of Highland Cathedral.
An excellent night was had by all as evident from comments of brilliant, great occasion, marvellous, wonderful night, articulated by concert goers as they were leaving the venue.
A special thank you goes to the team at Massey High School for hosting the event.
