90th Anniversary Concert in the Cathedral

7 May 2011


The Royal British Legion organised nationally a series of concerts to mark the 90th Anniversary of the forming of The Royal British Legion in 1921.  Known collectively as Concerts in the Cathedrals, the Derbyshire concert billed as 'The Angel and the Fallen' was held in Derby Cathedral, 18 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GP on Saturday 7th May 2011.


The star or the show was Lesley Garrett CBE, Britain's most popular soprano, the show also featured The Band of the King's Division, the Combined Choirs of Derby Cathedral and the Cathedral Organ.


The show began in typical Legion manner with The March of The Royal British Legion during which the Union Flag and the County Standard were paraded into the Cathedral.  Then followed the National Anthem with the dipping of the Standards.


The Reverend Canon Dave Perkins performed the introduction and also provide a narrative throughout the evening.  The Band of the King's Division and the Combined Choirs of Derby Cathedral performed some numbers before Lesley Garret took up her position at the front of the Cathedral wearing a sparkling pale-gold outfit.  The superstar launched into her first number of the evening, Going Home, with the accompaniment of Derby Cathedral Choir.


During the evening Lesley sang numbers, which  included Amazing Grace, You'll Never Walk Alone and Where e'er You Walk.  For the second half, she changed into a dress that was adorned with red poppies in respect to the Legion's annual Poppy Appeal.


The Band of the King's Division, was conducted in the first half by Bandmaster; Warrant officer Class One Craig Bywater BMus (Hons) and in the second half by the Director of Music; Captain James Marshall BMus (Hons)


The Combined Boys , Girls and Songmen Choirs of Derby Cathedral were conducted by Master of Music; Peter Gould and the Organist was Tom Corfield.



 Standard Bearers Nigel Winn (County Standard) and
Malcolm Jarvis (Union Flag) exit down the centre aisle




The Band of the King's Division




The Combined Choirs of Derby Cathedral
conducted by Master of Music; Peter Gould




Lesley Garrett with
The Combined Choirs of Derby Cathedral




Lesley Garrett CBE




Lesley Garrett with
Director of Music; Captain James Marshall




Lesley Garrett with
The Combined Choirs of Derby Cathedral




Lesley Garrett


(All Photographs by Chris Drury)

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