FESTIVE fun and Christmas carols filled the Formby Hall, Atherton on Sunday when Tyldesley Band delivered an evening of songs and merriment to round off a most successful year.

A bearded euphonium playing Santa – alias Michael Jackson – was all part of the show guided byconductor Rob Taylor.

Jasmine Wilding accompanied the Band singing Derek Ashmore's arrangement of ‘A Christmas Swingalong’ and Frank Bernaert's arrangement of the Abba number ‘Happy New Year’ resulting in hearty applause. Jasmine returned in the second half to sing another Frank Bernaert's arrangement ‘All I want for Christmas’ and a Derek Broadbent's version of ‘Rocking around the Christmas Tree’.

The concert featured soloists Asha Javaid and Michael Jackson. Asha, on flugel horn, played Mark Freeh’s arrangement of ‘Santa Clause is Coming to Town’ while 'Santa' Michael played ‘O Holy Night’ arranged by Keith Wilkinson The latter number was dedicated to former Tyldesley euphonium player Harry Beaumont, who with his wife, Kathleen, were celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary.

Younger members of the audience were given the opportunity to conduct, play percussion and take centre stage accompanying the Band with ‘Jingle Bells’.

An international flavour was added to the mix when the Band played ‘Festive Overture', said to have taken Shostakovich three days to compose, and an arrangement by Philip Sparke of the German ‘Schneewalzer’.

The next brass event at Formby Hall, Atherton will be on Sunday, January 20, featuring ‘Ashton-under-Lyne Band’. The concert starts at 7-30pm.