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September seems to have crept upon us very quickly this year and with it the invitation for the BCB to play pre-contest music at the annual British Open Brass Band Championship held at the Birmingham Symphony Hall.
The Citadel band has had the privilege of supplying music for the last six years and looks upon it as a great medium to continue our mission of taking Christ to the people.
From the opening statement of the hymn tune arrangement Martyn (W Heaton) the programme was particularly arranged with the listener in mind.
The festival march Able (W Turkington) is a great opener to any festival and straight away gave the listener an insight into the capabilities of the band.
The trombone solo The Eternal Quest (R Steadman-Allen) played by YP Band Leader Mark Sharman proved as popular as ever and was given some sensitive and excellent treatment by Mark who deserves a great “well done”.
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The Slavonic Dance taken from the selection Melodies of Dvorak (R Steadman-Allen) is an exciting piece to listen to and was played with great precision.
Some bands warm to pieces more than others and one which the band has come to love is The Irish Blessing arranged by S Bradnum.
The playing of this piece brought a quiet and solemn moment to the proceedings and gave the opportunity for our Commanding Officer Major Victor Kennedy to offer a prayer for all those attending the contest, especially those who were once in our Church.
The major work of the day was The Present Age (L Condon), a piece of music which describes the journeying of a Christian along life’s way and with it the trials and tribulations of trying to live a Christian life. As the last notes died away the band was greeted with applause for some excellent playing and sensitive portrayal.
The playing of Wonderful Healer gave the listener a chance to reflect on God’s wonderful healing power in our lives.
A new and exciting piece for the band came next, an arrangement by R Farr of Toccata in D Minor (J S Bach). The piece seems to gather great momentum until the last few great chords. Unknown to the band, Ray Farr was amongst the listeners and immediately following the piece shook hands with the conductor, Deputy Bandmaster Graham Lamplough.
Overture Excelsior (D Bright) is one of those sing-along pieces and gave those listening a chance to sing along with the band in what proved to be a popular choice.
A good Salvation Army march always sets the feet a tapping and the march The Liberator (Colonel Bram Coles) is no exception. This brought the programme to an end and set the tone for what was in prospect for the rest of the day.
The band once again counts this opportunity as a great way to proclaim our true message - that of God’s love for everyone.
For those of us who stayed to listen to the contest it proved to be a very rewarding and exciting day. With a few surprises in store but the opportunity to listen to music played by the very best bands in the country was awesome to say the least.
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Words: D G Dickens
Pictures: Gordon McKee
