Visit of the ISB - September 2003

The ISB’s new season commenced with a weekend visit to Birmingham Citadel.  An enthusiastic audience was taken on a fascinating musical journey, culminating in Peter Graham’s The Last Amen.  Other highlights on the way included Eric Ball’s Song of Courage and Lorne Barry’s Credo, a new work affirming our basic Christian faith and belief.  The debutant Canadian composer is a name to note.  Soloists Kevin Ashman, Derick Kane and Gary Rose all showed great skill with music that was variously challenging, thought provoking, and even cheeky as when Andrew Justice played the trombone solo This I Know by Terry Camsey, based on the children's song Hundreds and Thousands.  A ‘very’ quick march Jubilee by Paul Drury drew thunderous applause, while the music of Dorothy Gates titled Breathing brought a special atmosphere, asking us to let the Breath of God move into our very being.

Sunday meetings led by Lt Colonel Peter Wood continued the theme of our Christian faith and belief.  Together with another fine sequence of music making, the spirits of all who listened were uplifted in Praise to God.  Our own sections supported throughout the day.
 

Words: Fred Crowhurst
Photos: Graham Daff