'THE Last Night of the Proms' on July 24 drew hundreds of classical music fans to St David's Hall, who filled every seat in the theatre. Every member of the audience was eager to hear the programme that Owain Arwel Hughes (conductor) had prepared for them, and the London based 'Royal Philharmonic Orchestra' certainly did it justice. 

As you can expect from a professional orchestra, each musician followed Owain's tempo changes and dynamic instruction as if he was their own conductor. The music wasn't the only thing to be impressed about, having dressed in white tie for the occasion, the orchestra looked nearly as grand as they sounded. 

Although the evening's programme doesn't tend to vary greatly from year to year, it is a pleasure to hear the Welsh Proms favourites, such as the Star Wars Theme, The Dambusters March and Pomp and Circumstance. This year's audience was privileged to experience the world premiere of two new compositions. The first was Christopher Wood's 'Aberfan' in memory of the Welsh tragedy, and the second was Kane's 'Mr Dahl'. 

The evening was a personal one for Owain Arwel Hughes. Not only did he conduct one of his father's own compositions in the first half, but also 'Wedding March' from Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream, in honour of his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Jean. 

The Keith Little Jazz Band entertained before the show, and after the first half, before the audience returned to the theatre for a second half which was dominated by 'Fantasy on Welsh Songs'. Owain would not rest until everyone was on their feet and joining in with popular Welsh hymns. 

There would be no other way to end the Welsh Prom series than with our own National Anthem, which the audience sang with pride and enthusiasm. 

For those who weren't quite ready to head home, the amazing Keith Little Band played another fourty minute set on Level 3 after the concert. It was a delight to see the talented Nigel Hart as their pianist for the night, who played a number of improvised solos and impressed the audience no end with his exciting melodies. 

The band ended quite literally on a spectacular note, as they finished their set with a favourite, 'I aint got nobody.'

Elizabeth Morgan