Warners Bay Theatre
This Concert, close to ANZAC Day, is mainly a tribute to the music that has become synonymous with wars, including Marches, popular Songs and Hymns. Cardiff Brass also welcomed the vocal Quartet of After Five as our Guest Artists. Wayne Rogers, Kathryn Graham, Graeme Hands and Mary Russ have been performing together for 26 years, presenting their own shows as well as making guest performances. Their vocal harmonies and choreographed routines are a delight to audiences. Today they joined with Cardiff Brass to sing four songs in the first half and five songs in the second half (with audience participation) and lead the Encore to close the Concert.
The Concert opened with the Colonel Bogey March from World War I, followed by The Dam Busters March, from the 1955 British Classicwar film, The Dam Busters. After Five featured in the next four numbers. A touch of the Blues by way of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from 1941, made famous by The Andrew Sisters. Lili Marlene, a love song from World War II, which was popular with both the Allied forces and the German Forces and also with our audience.
Dame Vera Lynn, the British vocalist who was known as “The Forces’ Sweetheart” during World War II included the next two songs We’ll Meet Again and Wish Me Luck in her repertoire.
In the many ANZAC Day Services each year, the next item, the Hymn Abide With Me, is ever-present, with the first verse committed to memory by many. The first half concluded with the swing number American Patrol recorded by Glenn Miller in 1942, a No.1 hit during World War II.
The second half opened with In The Mood, a big band Glenn Miller jazz standard and a popular wartime song. Hymn To The Fallen, next, from the music score of the 1998 epic war movie Saving Private Ryan serves as a memory to those who have fallen in combat. It was listened to in respectful silence, with warm applause as it ended. The next five numbers again featured After Five.
A “touch of romance” was introduced with the 1940 British song A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, The 1914 March, consisting of a trio of British tunes from Worl War I,followed. Australia was not left out with March Gundagai, the arrangement including Waltzing Matilda and The Road to Gundagai, while Peter Allen’s 1980 I Still Call Australia Home was well-received.
The British war song from both World Wars, Bless ‘Em All, saw the audience burst into song. The printed program finished with Aces High, a military March from the sound track of the 1969 film, The Battle of Britain.
Prolonged applause saw After Five appear again to lead the band and the audience in the encore Wish Me Luck.
There were smiles all around as the audience exited the Theatre. It was indeed a “Concert to Remember”.
Cardiff Brass Brass acknowledges and thanks Lake Macquarie City Council for providing financial sponsorship, which assisted in staging this Concert. The music of brass bands continues to enhance the musical culture of this City.
Allan Shaw
Life Member
Cardiff Brass
Cardiff Brass 
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