A leading college concert band from America stopped off in Crosby recently as part of a month-long tour of Europe.

The 65-member Wartburg Wind Ensemble performed at St Mary's College where they played to an appreciative audience of staff, pupils and their families.

The band from Wartburg College in Iowa is visiting seven countries in a hectic four-week schedule that also includes concerts in London, Amsterdam, Salzburg. Prague, Luxembourg and Reykjavik.

Above: Andrew Byers (left) with conductor Dr Craig Hancock

Wartburg College is an arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America which has 1,800 students from almost 40 countries. More than 400 students are involved in its various vocal and instrumental groups.

At St Mary's the band - conducted by Associate Professor of Music Dr Craig Hancock - presented a varied programme of traditional and modern American and European pieces.

Highlights included the Lyric Waltz by Shostakovich, Musetta's Waltz from Puccini's La Boheme, Amazing Grace and a tribute to jazz great Louis Armstrong.

Above: Tenor soloist Dr Brian Pfalzgraff in full voice

St Mary's Director of Music, Andrew Byers, commented: "We were delighted to welcome this renowned wind ensemble to Crosby. As with St Mary's, music is one of the great strengths of Wartburg College and this was certainly evident from the concert which was an evening of outstanding musical entertainment.

"We're now in the process of planning our own music tour to the USA in 2012 and we hope to visit Iowa and perform a return concert for our Wartburg College friends," added Mr Byers.