Charity Funds Raised In Tracey Sollis’ Memory

On Friday September 20th Stour Concert Brass Shipston Town Band’s Community band joined forces with Avonbank Band from Evesham for a joint concert in aid of the Tracey Sollis Leukemia Research Trust at the Evesham Arts Centre.

Both bands played individual sets before joining forces for a Prom Finale alongside Cleeve Valley Harmony Chorus. Avonbank’s programme included Prismatic Light and the popular Under The Boardwalk featuring Flugel Horn Soloist Martin Mustoe.

Stour Concert Brass included two soloists with 12 years old Alec Banner featured on the Xylophone with Charlie Is My Darlin and Luke Barker in brilliant form on cornet playing a new solo Honeysuckle Polka by J O Casey specially arranged for him by Nigel Hall who was in the audience to hear the performance.

Tracey Sollis was a young horn player who prior to her death played for both Avonbank and Winchcombe Bands. The trust is run by Tracey’s mother Sue and funds a research facility at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

This year’s concert has raised in excess of £1100 towards its ongoing research. The concert also served as a memorial concert for trombonist David Turner who played for both bands before his sudden death 5 years ago and was also a trustee of the charity.