Birmingham Citadel Band have just completed their fifth visit to the ICC to play music in the foyer prior to the British Open Band Contest. The sound of the band playing Be Still arranged by Andrew Blyth was an ideal calming piece of music to commence an hour of varied and well presented music. During the next 15 minutes a large crowd gathered to listen to the band: Amazing Grace and the cornet duet Quicksilver were both received with enthusiasm from the ever increasing crowd standing by.
I then mingled with the crowd on the balcony where the trade stands were doing good business, but many also stood and listened to the sound of the band - good music, and hopefully bringing much blessing to the many people who were listening to them.
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Treasures from Tchaikovsky (Colonel Bramwell Coles) is a piece of music well known to all, and a joy to play and listen to, which was obvious when you saw the attention and facial expressions of the listeners.
As the hour drew to a close the band played the festival march Crossbearers by Martin Cordner; this being a very exciting march which people truly enjoyed and showed this by their applause.
Birmingham Citadel Band consider it a great privilege to have this opportunity to play prior to such a prestigious occasion, and to be able to bring the message of the Gospel to the many who listened.
Words: Graham Hinsley
Pictures: Gordon McKee