Yet again Birmingham Citadel Band had a poor draw and was first on at the British Open! Making an early start at Symphony Hall for what has become the traditional curtain raiser to the Championship, the band presented a programme of joyous, rousing, contemplative and challenging music with something for everyone - the Salvationist bandsman, the contesting bandsman who may have started music-making in the army, or the enthusiast who just likes to listen to great music played well!

Under the leadership of Bandmaster Graham Lamplough, the band commenced with a hymn tune arrangement of Our Lord And Father which immediately grabbed the attention of early birds in the hall and soon a crowd had gathered. The programme included army classics old and new including the evergreen cornet solo Tucker presented by Gavin Lamplough, the exuberant euphonium solo Better World played by David Taylor, and a thrilling rendition of Steven Ponsford’s Kerygma. The trombone section treated the audience to I Will Follow Him from the musical Sister Act and the concert concluded with the march Motondo.

Having enjoyed and been challenged by the Citadel band’s playing, the crowd headed off to the contest which was also well represented by Salvationist musicians and not only as players in the various bands - one of the adjudicators, Dr Ronald Holz from the USA and the composer of this year’s test piece On The Shoulders Of Giants, Professor Peter Graham, are both Salvationists.

Words: Peter Taylor

Pictures: Gordon McKee

Over the past few years, through attending the ‘Open’, Jim Redman has befriended both Gordon and David McKee. He is a regular at the Championships and, although not a Salvationist, he also enjoys the fellowship at the Citadel’s Sunday morning service when in Birmingham for this event. Here are his thoughts on the day.

Another year gone by, Symphony Hall Birmingham for the ‘Open’ – surely not 12 months has gone by has it?? Up at the crack of dawn, got to be there for the Birmingham Citadel Band. So many old friends shout across and you can hear some lovely sounds from the foyer – “have got the draw for you”, and then “what’s that march called they are playing?” By the time I had fought my way through the crowd to see David McKee was still playing euph, I had missed two pieces!

Then of course the ‘real’ euph player stood up and played The Better World. WOW! – now even the Black Dyke’s of this world would have appreciated this!

What a start to the day – a lovely warm sound that seems so natural to them; sadly a lot of our ‘big bands’ don’t have or have lost the knack of playing so quietly and yet so tightly. Ah well.

Too soon they finish, but they have already done their warm up job so well. Thanks every one of you – long may they continue.

Words: Jim Redman
Knott End-on-Sea, Blackpool