There was a full house at the Unicorn for the Urban Folk Quartet – a band full of inventiveness, humour and virtuosity.

They played music with many global influences.

One of the musicians stopped the encore number to say he had dreamed that the audience in Abingdon would jump out of their seats during the encore, and on cue they did, and carried on jumping.

This was put on by Music at the Unicorn.

On Saturday evening, at St Helen’s Church, the Abingdon Concert Band celebrated 40 years of playing music. They began life in 1977 as Abingdon Military Band, and although the name has changed the formation of instruments remains the same as a modern military band.

Only Alan Bolder, seen here standing and smiling, was there back at the start in 1977.

For the 40th anniversary concert there was some music from 1977 such as: Star Wars, Birdland, and Hotel California. They also played music from West Side Story from 60 years ago; Sgt Peper’s Lonely Heart Club Band from 50 years ago; The Simpsons theme from 30 years ago; and Titanic,and Theme for Diana from 20 years ago. Diana, Princess of Wales, died twenty years ago!

Abbey Brass also formed in 1977, and both bands will be playing music in the Nags Head pub garden in June. There will even be a new beer on tap to commemorate the double 40th anniversary. At this concert the audience voted for the name of the beer:

Hornblower won with 50 votes
Bugles Best got 48 votes
Horn of Plenty got 33 votes.

In Abingdon this morning, Harmony InSpires, a female a cappella chorus sang. They sang at the far end of Bury Street, and when the rain got heavier they sang under the museum.

Finally they were invited by the new manager of Wildwood Kitchen to use her covered area. She has been there three days and has exciting plans for the business.

Here is a video with extracts from 4 of their harmonies. You could even join them and learn to Sing in four part harmony a cappella style at 7:30-10.00pm on Wednesday 8th, 15th, & 22nd February 2017 at Appleton Village Hall. For more information see www.harmonyinspires.org.