Pontin's New Horizons 28 September 2001

'O I do like to be beside the seaside . . .' may well have been the song in the minds of the Citadel's senior band members in the weeks leading up to this event.  Non UK readers of this web site may not realise that Birmingham in the United Kingdom as is about as far from the seaside as is possible on this island.  There was therefore some excitement when we learned we were to travel to Pontin's Brean Sands on the Somerset coast to take part in the Army's 'New Horizons' holiday fellowship. 

To say we had a great time would be a gross understatement- we had a truly fabulous time.

Before the commencement of the evening 'meeting' four of the bandsmen (actually dressed up to look like some work staff) gathered together on stage and presented what appeared to be an impromptu Barber's Shop Quartet routine.  You too can share in the enjoyment by either viewing the video below (subject to you having a fast internet connection, such as ISDN or broadband, and RealPlayer installed on your PC) or by listening to the sound track (which also requires RealPlayer).  RealPlayer can be downloaded from our audio page.

When the band commenced playing it quickly became apparent that the Bandmaster had been part of the quartet (as if no-one had guessed!!) because he didn't even have time to change into his uniform.  Perhaps the Band Sergeant should have words with him . . .

Swing Music

There was much banter throughout the evening, particularly before the xylophone solo by Tim Farmer.  Bandmaster David Nicholson thought the audience would appreciate seeing a photo on the multimedia screen of Tim as a very young lad playing with his drum kit.  But Tim was prepared for that and had arranged for a photo of the Bandmaster, taken when a baby and sitting in his bath naked!!  Maybe that's what made David decide to have no part in conducting the band during the solo - but, to stand and read the paper, well . . . definitely a talk required from the Band Sergeant.

You may be sensing we were all enjoying our evening?  So was the Territorial Commander, Alex Hughes - until David invited him to the stage.   Our vocal soloist Stephanie Lamplough had prepared a love song - but needed someone to serenade!!  And thus our TC found himself the subject of her affection!!  Stephanie is currently studying opera and her performance was superb, but the humorous element of the item brought the house down.  Commissioner Ingeborg Hughes clearly enjoyed every minute of it.  She entered into the spirit and rushed to the stage at the end of the song throwing her arms around her husband.

One other highlight was a rendition of I will follow Him from the film Sister Act.  With a multimedia backdrop of the actual film, three of our trombonists and our flugal horn player, all dressed as nuns, again brought the house down with their excellent quartet playing.

Yes, we entered into the holiday atmosphere that typifies events of this nature, but there was also a serious side to our programme.  This was exemplified by the playing of William Himes' Procession to Covenant.  Again, the multimedia added so much to the majesty of this magnificent composition.

We are fortunate in having a good representation of young ladies in the band and they presented a stunning timbrel display to the very upbeat music Salvation Song.

O we did love being beside the seaside, and have very fond memories of our time there.

If you have any problems listening to the audio, please visit the 'Hear our Music' page.  Here you will find instructions and a link to contact us for further information.