Hurrah, Darley Park enjoyed another spectacular and successful summer concert on September 5th. Despite the UK's recent monsoon conditions there was hardly a cloud in the sky all weekend. So, as usual, there were picnic hampers, champers and happy campers aplenty.
This year, local orchestra ViVa, conducted by James Holmes, performed a programme of music celebrating 100 year of Rolls-Royce in Derby in all its various guises.
The music ranged from Glenn Miller's American Patrol to the very topical Theme From Thunderbirds. Once again, it was a programme for the whole family to enjoy.
Compere for the evening was our very own Andy Whittaker who looked extra dapper in his tux.
An estimated 30,000 people flooded into the beautiful Victorian park. As the sun set lanterns lit the sloping hills and people settled down to enjoy the evening's entertainment. Don't miss our pictures. Click the link in the 'See Also' box to the right of this page. Just before half time as ViVa wowed us with Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue the drone of an aircraft could be heard. Appearing like a dot from the North a little Spitfire swooped over the assembly, it looped the loop and astounded (and scared) the audience with its magnificent death dives. The Spitfire warmed up everyone's oohing and aahing muscles, the piece de la resistance came during Sibelius's Finlandia. Fireworks filled the sky with multicoloured fervour. Darley Park Concert never fails to impress with its psychedelic pyrotechnics some of which were so loud you could feel them in your chest. The encore of Land of Hope and Glory gave everyone a chance to let rip with their vocal chords. If you were at the concert tell us what you thought using the form below. Music: Did you recognise the music, here's a list in case you were wondering: - Ron Goodwin 633 Squadron
- Victor Young Around the World in Eighty Days theme
- Miller American Patrol
- Shostakovich Cheryomushki
- Porter I get a kick out of you
- Sondheim Barcelona
- Meredith Willson 76 Trombones
- Elgar Nimrod
- Walton Spitfire Prelude and Fugue
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(Interval) - Gray Thunderbirds
- Van Heusen Come Fly with Me
- Goodwin Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines
- Coates Dambusters March
- Williams Theme to Jaws
- Gershwin Walking the Dog
- Lennon/McCartney Yellow Submarine
- Sibelius Finlandia
- Encore - Land of Hope and Glory
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You said: It was a great concert as usual, it's the event of the year. But it the PA-system was far too quiet! It would be great to have some pieces of classical music that are more familiar for the kids (eg:Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Carnival of the animals, Peter and the wolf).
River Hardwick i really enjoyed the concert, my fourth one, once again fabulous performances. hope to see more photos on here soon.
Sarah Well done Derby on this fantastic event. Nimrod is a family favourite so thank you soooo much for that!
J&J I thought the concert was very good. It would be nice to have something like that on Osmaston Park which is the other side of Derby.
Susan Boon Wot a night the music was fab and the fireworks unforgetable (and noisy!)
Abraham Toulson another blinder. really hope it doesn't get shelved due to budget restrictions. definitely one of the warmest of the concerts i've been to but the PA really was too quiet - didn't there used to be more speakers in front of the stage? another top-drawer event.
Mister Spaceman Excellent concert. They get better every year. Spitfire was great to see. Next year please can we have one verse of Land of Hope and Glory without the fireworks so we can hear the singing. Enjoyed the fireworks.
Sue Hoe The concert was wicked the spit fire was brilliant and the fire works were amazing my brother loved it too, cant wait till next year Bye
Travis age 9 A fantastic night but next year could you put the walkway behind the crowd instead of infront we might have been able to see the show then its a bit off putting, but it was a great show and the fireworks were lovely my elderley parents loved it and cant stop talking about it when is the next one!
Lorraine Ford A great concert once again although sound was not as good as usual.Fab fireworks! and the spitfire was wonderful.well done to all involed roll on next year
chris pearn We have been coming to this event for the last 10 years, it rounds off the summer holidays, our first trip was on our daughters 1st birthday, we have moved to Sutton Coldfield, but return every year, well worth the journey. We will certainly be back next year:-)
Gayle Draper ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL YET AGAIN. ANNUAL EVENT FOR OUR FAMILY AND THE WEATHER HAS NOT LET US DOWN AGAIN. BRILLIANT
THE PARKER FAMILY B-O-T Been about 5yrs running,but this was definately the biggest.Had to sit right at the very back in the long grass with loads of frogs.I couldn't believe how many there was and I hate frogs.I sat with my feet up on my picnic basket,my dad thought I was mad.On the other hand the poor frogs must have wondered what was happening.Music was brill as always,a great night and so warm.
Moira Earley This concert was the best i have ever seen and i was so happy i was there with the love of my life, Hayley Clark. I ecspecially enjoyed the fireworks and the plane display.
Jack Green Another fantastic do - brilliant fireworks and an excellent musical selection - however, can you turn it up a bit next time please? We had trouble hearing this time, which we hadn't had in previous years. Also, a big thank-you to the honest souls who handed my jacket in to the lost property!!
Rich first time there, and had a wonderful time,well organised and the fireworks to end the show where brill
john hawkins Exellent again.Something Derby can be proud off.Fireworks the best yet, will be back next year.
kevin jones Every time I go to these Darley park concerts, I can't help but think 'WOW'. This concert was just as brilliant as before and really impressed the younger ones as all the children around me were jumping up and down with joy, and we all were suprised to see such a magnificent display of fireworks. Thank you for providing this excellent concert, I can't wait for next time!
Michael Newbold loved the show,saw no one selling programs, people round about also would have liked to get one. But great night as always
margaret a great night enjoyed again but had trouble hearing annoucenments, volume levels nots a good/clears as previous years
matt hegg The concert was really really great as usual. But, Andy we couldn't hear you very well at all. Your voice kept coming and going, the conductor of the orchestra was much better on the microphone, we could hear him loud and clear. Andy, you were also talking whilst the spitfire was going over (we think you were anyway) - you were wasting your breath - we couldn't hear a word you were saying. It was really great to see the spitfire and the music was excellent.
Bridget loved the fireworks but i was near the back and i couldnt hear the music very well so maybe next time you could turn the volume up please
Some1 Again another fantastic event. However this was our 6th year in what is a very friendly atmosphere normally only to be told by one of the event supervisors that someone had complained that our flying flags of the Union Jack and the German national flag were blocking their view (Photo 4 More concert photos 2004). The flags have been there every year in the same place for the last six years. Why cant people just be nice and get into the spirit if they want to moan over something so pettey then stay at home. We had to take the flags down and my wife who is German was a bit upset. This will not stop us coming to the concert in the future we love the event and I would like to say thanks to everyone involved.
Dean great night, music briliant, fireworks fantastic,spifire flypast brought a tear to my eyes.long may it continue.welldone too you all.
david stone allestree Once again - Fantastic Many thanks to all concerned, Orchestra, Fireworks, the Spitfire (where would we have been without those guys 60+ years ago) the Fireworks, the organisers, the Marshalls, that charming young lady offering to help with our chairs etc (I'm disabled) It was absolutely marvellous.
Ray S Matlock Our first concert but definitely not the last.
Graham and Jackie A fantastic night, however we could not hear some of the music the speakers could have done with being turned up. The atmosphere though was elecrtric, the fly past great. It was nice to see such a wide range of ages enjoying such a spectacular evening in harmony together.
Gail Dolman A great night as usaul but could not hear all that went on. Please turn it up next year please
Cliff Barker excellent evening
derrick white Really enjoyed the concert but did not see any programmes. were they not being sold for charity? would also have liked a souvenir for German visitors who came too !
tina This was our first taste of the concert and it made us very proud of being Darley Abbey residents. What a fantastic opportunity for families to enjoy excellent music in such beautiful surroundings.
Jennie Beck Every year i think they can't better this, but again I was proved wrong. Great music, a wonderfull fly past and fantastic fireworks
Anthony Smith I went to the concert after missing last years, I really enjoyed it please keep it going for many years to come. I wont miss any more. Many thanks for a wonderful entertaining evening.
Philip Rees It's great that this evening is continuing to provide the peopel of Derby with a wonderful end to the summer! Unfortunately the speaker system this year was poor - I heard none of the announcements and only the loud music. Still a great social occasion however.
veronica Neild Brillant, fantastic atmosphere great event for all ages more events like this please
Mat We have been to every single Darley Park Concert and we are never dissapointed. Thanks for yet another excellent performance.
Val and Derek Buckley PA system was awful - heard no announcements and the music was very quiet. BUT fantastic concert and great great fireworks - thank you ViVA, DCC and R-R!!!
Bex i have been going to this concert for about 7-8 years and i am only 15! i really enjoy it but i only go for the fireworks!
Hannah fith year and better than ever.Fine wine, good food,pleasant company,brilliant orchestra and dazzling fireworks,need i say more?
marion myers Travelled up from South Warwickshire to the concert and very much enjoyed the informal evening and the selection of tunes and songs.The Spitfire never fails to stir the emotions and the fireworks were simply excellent. Superb evening and all who 'played' their part are to be congratulated.
Roy This is my familys second year at the concert.We all love the friendly atmosphere and we along with everyone else bring our picnic and wine and beer.Our kids love it.Its great fun to plan the outing,next year we are hoping to bring even more of our family along.
Mrs Joyce Elliott A Fantastic night's entertainment! The Spitfire and fireworks were breath taking. The music was amazing and you just couldn't help tapping your feet and singing along to the songs... Can't wait till next year!
Louise Coope hi,the show was wonderfull and seems to get better every year and I really the continue holding them each,I wouldn't miss going.Thank you every one for all your hard work. I really do appreciate all you do to make the show a success.
margie Another fantastic concert - how can the council ever consider scrapping such a popular event? Wonderful music, a great atmosphere and superb fireworks merged perfectly into a special evening of entertainment, with that added magical moment of the Spitfire flypast. Next year's concert can never come too soon.
Richard Lewis Brilliantly organised as always - great music and the fireworks were stupendous! And the weather was a lot warmer than last year too! Just a thought - any chance of a 'big screen' for those of us who sit behind the 'big tree' (and the loos!) - it would be nice to be able to see the stage - but if not , thanks to all concerned anyway - one of the best events in Derby!
A Fisher Great concert and fireworks. The Spitfire was the icing on the cake
Stuart Adams What a brilliant night! The music was great, the weather was wonderfull, and the fireworks were superb! We will be doing it again next year.
Ivy Kirk (Swanwick) Now THAT was a concert! Compeling, Inspiring, Refreshing and filling me with pride. Well done all involved.
Micky Sheehan Fantastic evening had by all our family and friends!!! Our four week old daughter, Rosie May, absolutely adored the fireworks!!! Same again next year please ;-)
Nige Jones A fantastic night but the P.A system could do with a bit of a "tweek" we had trouble to hear a lot of the announcements.
Janet Birkin My first time there. What an excellent concert! Both myself and my daughter enjoyed the Firewaorks display.
John Chajecki | 
