The 80th Anniversary Concert of the Somerset Brigade Band last Saturday proved to be a memorable event.

Patrons from as far away as St. George's who braved the extremely stormy weather were rewarded with a nostalgic blend of good music and dialogue – the latter pertains to personalities playing significant roles in this community band's evolution.

Among those personalities was Major L.F. Lowe. For the past 11 years, following his retirement as Director of Music of the Bermuda Regiment, he has fronted the SBB as its bandmaster. This year he took a back seat, playing under the baton of one of his old regimental protégés Bandmaster Ellsworth L. Bean, and also alternating at the evening's master of ceremonies.

Bandmaster Bean chose for his debut programme one that was delightfully different, with a mix of the martial, rock, swing, Motown, Latin music. It began with the lively "Alliance Fanfare" and ended with the famous "Somerset Brigade Band March", a composition of Bandmaster Lowe.

Their rendition of "O Waly Waly" was the prelude to name and honour the founders of the SBB. Principle amongst them was Bandmaster Arthur Knights, who lived to be more than 102 years old. Major Lowe said it was intended to have in the audience Bandmaster Knights' daughter, Mrs. Rita Knights Johnson, but the ferocity of the weather cancelled that plan.

Coincidentally Mrs. Johnson celebrated her 104th birthday four days before the SBB concert.

However two of her father's great-great-grandchildren who are enthusiastically carrying forward his legacy as members of SBB were brought on stage. They are Monique Lynch and her brother Malik. Monique also had the honour of presenting a bouquet to Mrs. Gloria Pearman, who with her husband Colin were the chief patrons of the concert.

Bandmaster Bean also managed to squeeze into the programme an upbeat version of 'Happy Birthday' sung by the audience in honour of his own mother, Mrs. Alice Bean who was celebrating her 91st birthday. She was proud of her son, whom she encouraged to join the Bermuda Regiment when he was a reluctant draftee at age 18.

Although he said later he had some negativity when drafted, after his basic training he stayed in the army, joined its band, and for the next 30 years enjoyed his training and performances locally and as far afield as Hong Kong and Jamaica playing his cornet and euphonium. When he retired six years ago, he joined SBB.

Other noteworthy features of Saturday night's concert included the spectacular performance of the Philippine Dancers;; and renditions of the Cedar Hill Salvation Army quartette, Christian Sisters with Voices under leadership of Bandmaster Bean's cousin Mrs. Terene Fisher.