LAKE MACQUARIE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, WARNERS BAY
It was a delightful Christmas Musical Occasion, with a selection of mainly traditional Christmas Carols and Christmas Tunes providing the audience with the opportunity to embrace the “Christmas Spirit”. Two Special Selections were also featured, one in each half. In all, twenty-one numbers were presented.
The Concert opened with the March Born is the King, the arrangement including segments of several well-known Carols. The highlight of the first half was Concertpiece for Cornet, a composition by James Curnow, written specifically for Paul Muff junior, Principal Cornet for the Swiss A Grade Brass Band Burgermusic Luzern. Clarence Leung featured as the Soloist on cornet and gave a splendid performance, receiving sustained applause at the conclusion of the number.
Cornet”
Merry Christmas Darling was appealing and what would a Christmas Concert be without the inclusion of Rudolph, The Red Nose Reindeer. The audience sang along to The First Noel and the concluding first half number Jingle Bells.
The second half opened with the traditional and rousing Hallelujah Chorus, and provided opportunities for the audience to sing along again to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night and Deck the Halls. As a special tribute to the Salvation Army, whose members provide particular support for families in need during the Festive Season, the composition by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, Fire in the Blood, was featured. Paul wrote it for the 120th Anniversary of the Salvation Army International Staff Band. The composition includes Lord You Know That We Love You, which featured Principal Cornet Bruce Fletcher and You and I Love You Lord, which featured Bruce again and Principal Euphonium David Walker. Fire in the Blood received enthusiastic applause.
Darling”
The John Lennon and Yoko Ono composition Happy Christmas-War is Over was a popular inclusion, as was Mary’s Boy Child.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas, the closing number, conveyed the message of goodwill to an appreciative audience.
Cardiff Brass 
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