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Local talents horn in on Danbury Brass act

For those who believe the best things in life are free, tomorrow night's concert by the visiting Danbury Brass Band at the Anglican Cathedral promises to be a real bonanza.

Not only are the visiting instrumentalists going to blow their way through a range of music, but also they will be joined by local musicians Milt Robinson and Gandhi Burgess, who will be soloing on guitar and valve trombone respectively.

Directed by Mr. Alan Raph, who will also solo on trombone, the programme will include two works written by David Maker for and dedicated to The Bermuda Regiment Band: "Somer's Heart'' and "On Warwick's Shores, plus "004'' by Milt Robinson, "Prelude, Chorale and Blues'' written by Mr. Raph for Bob Brookmeyer, "Ceremonial Fanfare'' by tuba soloist Don Butterfield, and "A March Dance'' by Bill Werner.

Mr. Butterfield is a world-renowned tuba virtuoso, whom Mr. Raph says plays the huge instrument "like a piccolo''.

The concert will also include the world premiere of a special arrangement of "The Prayer of St. Francis''.

The Danbury Brass Band, which is on its fourth visit to the Island, has had a long association with The Bermuda Regiment Band, and the two regularly exchange visits. Originally scheduled to participate in tomorrow night's concert, the Regiment Band will now not be doing so.

Celebrating their seventeenth year together, members of the Connecticut-based ensemble range in age from 15-75, and within their ranks are cornet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba and percussion players. In addition to regular performances in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas, they have also recorded a cassette entitled "Live By Request,'' which includes many of their most popular pieces.

In addition to playing their own music, the Danbury Brass Band repertoire includes a wide variety of concert music -- from baroque to contemporary, and from symphonic to jazz-oriented compositions.

Music director Mr. Raph has enjoyed a long and varied musical career, which includes having been leader of the American Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the late Leopold Stokowski, and playing with the Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band.

Tomorrow's gala concert begins at 7 p.m. and all are welcome.