A HIGHLY renowned band visits Dorchester tomorrow for a one-off performance in the county town.

HMS Heron Royal Naval Volunteer Band comprises serving military and civilian personnel from various locations in Somerset and from neighbouring counties.

The band has a primary role of providing music for ceremonial and also social occasions around The Royal Naval Air Station, including wardroom dinners and ceremonial divisions as well as providing music for air days and the annual Christmas concert in The Fleet Air Arm Museum.

The music performed evokes lots of different moods and is programmed to create musical excitement for both the band to play and the audience to appreciate, with a variety of genres, creating both tension and release.

Currently the bandmaster is Band Colour Sergeant Tim Watson; a musician serving in The Royal Marines Band Service.

HMS Heron Royal Naval Volunteer Band competed early last year in the annual Royal Navy Band Festival in Portsmouth. The band showed off their talents with a 15-minute marching display in Portsmouth Guildhall Square followed by another fifteen minutes performing on stage inside on the concert platform as a full wind ensemble.

The whole weekend was truly enjoyable and the band came away with great success in retaining the Bambara Trophy for the best band in the Fleet Air Arm.

The concert is taking place courtesy of the Rotary Club of Dorchester and Thomas Hardye School, who have provided the venue. For some years this band has been the best band in the Fleet Air Arm.

The concert at the Thomas Hardye School starts at 7.15pm and promises an exciting programme and will introduce a number of the school students on the night, the bandmaster incorporating the very best into the programme.

Of special note is the remarkable ‘corps of drums’ marching into the theatre creating an exciting mood for the audience.

Tickets are limited to the seating capacity of the school theatre, and will not be available on the night, all tickets being pre-sold before the event.

They cost £10 and can be bought in advance from Thomas Hardye School reception and from Nicoll World Travel in High East Street.