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Boston Weekend

Weekend visit of

South London Fellowship Band

to

Boston Salvation Army

Introduction

It was with great relief that the last few members of the band arrived safely at Boston after what had been, for some, a comparatively lengthy journey. But the stresses of the road were quickly forgotten with the warmest of welcomes from the host corps and an excellent meal. It was immediately evident that much thought and preparation had been invested in our visit.

Saturday Evening Concert

A large congregation gathered for the evening concert and the band met their expectations with a scintillating opening march, The Golden Crown, immediately contrasted with An Irish Blessing which created an atmosphere conducive to Mel Finch’s opening prayer.

Some brief words of greeting and introduction from our Musical Director led into the Cornet Solo Joyful Song featuring Andy Pretious, his bravura performance displaying the precise and lyrical playing we have come to value so much since he joined the band.

Introducing the British Folk Songs medley, it was evident that Derick was quickly developing a warm rapport with the audience. The rearranged ‘full band’ version of Through the Fair lost none of its haunting melancholy and the final note of Men of Harlech was lost in pre-emptively enthusiastic applause (something that was to be a feature of many items throughout the weekend).

Boston Songsters then offered their first contribution to the evening, a pleasing rendition of Under His Wings which had clearly been well-prepared; further evidence of the importance the home corps had placed on the success of our visit.

Having taken full advantage of a few minutes respite from playing, Adrian Horwood then gave a flawless performance of the demanding Euphonium Solo Star Lake Variations, that will linger long in the memory.

With a rapid change into upbeat/big band style there followed a spirited execution of Riverside, a real crowd-pleaser.

Also greatly appreciated was the ensuing Band Vocal item, What a Wonderful World. Anathema to all bands is to be told that they sing well, nevertheless the audience responses continue to suggest that our male voice items are the equal of our playing.

Derick then introduced the main item of the evening, Durham Snapshots. Describing the circumstances of its inspiration he was somewhat taken aback when one audience member expressed a particular affinity with the subject matter, having come from that city. Though comparatively longer than most programme items, this piece continues to engage audiences and band alike and merits wider publication.

After a brief interval the second part of the evening got underway with the gospel rock item Let It Shine followed by Maurice Horwood’s trombone solo My Story and Song, the sincerity of which testified to the ‘blessed assurance’ that is available to each of us.

The suite of singing company songs penned by Rowland Little, This Is My Song, was followed by a presentation of the recently-published Promises from the Boston Songsters.

A late addition to the programme was The Boston March (Charles Dove, 1933), specially included as a tribute to host corps and in recognition of the fact that a member of the composer’s family was in the congregation.

Also in attendance was Andrew Blyth who renewed his acquaintance with the band by leading us through a sensitive interpretation of The Beautiful City

Paul Newman then provided some scriptural guidance towards the next item, My Comfort and Strength, based on George Herbert’s paraphrase of Psalm 23, ‘The God of love my Shepherd is’.

The evening concluded with the band singing A Choral Benediction before the rousing march, On The King’s Highway, sent us merrily on our way to the local Premier Inn.

Sunday morning

Sunday morning dawned with a beautiful blue sky, and with the Band staying at the local Premier Inn it was nice to share breakfast together. When breakfast had finished each went back to their room to prepare for the day ahead. The Hall was only some 15 minutes away and after arriving at the hall for 9.45am, the Band congregated in the YP Hall (thanks to the YP for allowing us its use for the weekend) to share a prayer given by Maurice Horwood.

Pre-meeting

The Band then took their seats to play pre-meeting music, from what is affectionately called the Red Book – which includes Marches and Hymn Settings from the General Series. The Band commenced with ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ using the tune of Nicaea by Ray Steadman-Allen, an arrangement that builds up to a triumphant ending. This was followed by Thomas Rive’s beautiful arrangement of Colne and then Howard Davies’ arrangement of ‘The Wonder of Grace’. Pre-meeting music concluded with a rarely used Arrangement of Praise my Soul scored for Band by Michael Babb. Many comments were made how just listening to simple arrangements set the tone for the listener and indeed one of the bandsmen mentioned afterwards how the playing of such music bought a lump to his throat. Such is the power of music for the listener and the musician.

Sunday morning service

The morning service was led by Musical Director/Bandmaster Derick Kane and Roger Gadsden who would speak from the Word.

A welcome was given by the CSM, Malcolm Addis followed by the usual Corps announcements.

The Band’s first piece was a Euphonium Solo by Adrian Horwood – ‘Annie Laurie’. This lovely melody we most associate with the words “The Christ of Calvary, the dearest name to me, is the matchless name of Jesus, The Christ of Calvary”. Beautifully played, this led us to a Call to Worship from Psalm 150 read by Mel Finch – the final verse saying “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty was the opening congregational song to the tune Lobe de Herren and was followed by the Congregation and Band singing “As we are gathered Jesus is here” accompanied by the Corps pianist, Alex Addis. This led into a prayer time ably led by Graham Hardwick.

It was good to see some young people in the congregation and so next up was a YP Slot. This was led by Andy Pretious who drew his inspiration from “I’m a Celebrity Get me out of Here”! Two Singing Company members braved the cardboard box with a hole in it, having to feel various items from lentils to baked beans – which did involve putting gloves on! – without seeing what they were and identifying them only by touch. They did really well. The lesson being about Trust and not worrying as God is always by you and with you. They were rewarded with some chocolates, then at lunch time later, they shared these with the band and congregation – there must be another lesson in there – well done.

The Singing Company then sang a song I had not heard before called ‘Take It’ based on “What a friend we have in Jesus”. There may have been more helpers than Young People but encouraging young people in their journey with the Lord combined with music making is so important in this day.

It was the turn of the Band next to play Kenneth Downies arrangement of “In the love of Jesus”. Vintage Downie with its breadth of chords; the words remind us that “In the love of Jesus there is all I need” and ending with a rarely heard marking of ppp, meaning very very soft. The Band certainly did it justice.

Adrian Horwood then read for us from the Bible – 1st book of Corinthians from verse 18 which tells the message of the Cross and of Christ, the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.

A further, more contemporary congregational song, ‘Rejoice!’ was sung before the offering was taken.

Before Roger Gadsden spoke to us from the word, the Band provided an unaccompanied vocal item “O love that will not let me go” The author of the song George Matheson in his notes about the song said “Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression rather of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I was quite sure that the work was completed in five minutes”. The music was by Heinrich Pfiel.

Roger then preached on the passage from Corinthians, stating straight away that the message we as Christians should give must be the message of the cross and he asked the congregation to shout out Hymns or choruses that have the word “Cross” in it. My thoughts immediately turned to the refrain “The Cross is not greater than his grace, the storm cannot hide his blessed face. I am satisfied to know that with Jesus here below I shall conquer every foe”. He concluded by saying that if we remembered nothing else, for all believers Christ is the Power of God and the wisdom of God…what else do we need!

The sermon seamlessly led to the Bands playing of “Here at the Cross” by Ray Steadman-Allen, the line standing out being ‘Lord for thy service fit me I plead’ before Chris Hunt concluded the devotional time with a prayer. This included reference to the Band’s former Soprano player, Dave Harrison and a soldier from Boston who had both recently been promoted to Glory.

The corporate worship ended with the rousing congregational song ‘Who is on the Lords side’ before the benediction was pronounced. The Band concluded worship with the Transcription ‘How sweet the name’ (French) bringing to an end an uplifting and reflecting time of worship.

Lunch

Lunch with members of the Corps fellowship then followed. Having had a very nice cottage pie with vegetables followed by a crumble and ice cream when we arrived on Saturday, we were treated to turkey rolls and cakes today (some even got ice cream!). Catering for around 60 or so is a real challenge and a big thanks should go to those who prepared the meal (the CO, Major Michelle Woodhouse, proudly mentioned to me that she contributed to the Potato peeling), those who cooked it and not forgetting those who waited on us (including the Bandmaster). There was then some time to sit in the courtyard in the lovely afternoon sun with a cake and a drink, enjoying the company of, and chatting to Corps folk, fellow Bandsmen and their wives.

With the afternoon programme due to start at 1.45pm the Band were asked to be in their seats for 1.30pm so a photo could be taken, but one of the Cornet players was missing and no one knew his whereabouts! He had gone for a walk and got lost appearing at 1.42pm to rapturous applause from the Band and congregation. More laughter ensued as a baritone player disappeared and then came back (I wonder where he had gone!). He too received applause. The Band eventually had its photo at 1.44pm .

Sunday Afternoon

So the final mini festival began on time, just, with Albert Jakeway’s 1944 published arrangement of ‘The Coronation March’ from ‘The Prophet’ by Meyerbeer, a grand opera in 5 Acts composed in 1849. Once again a rarely heard piece but stately and majestic. Before the opening prayer by Paul Harding , the Cornet Solo Don’t Doubt him now (Ballantine arr. Craig Woodland) was beautifully played by the Bands principal cornet player Andy Pretious.

The Band’s major piece for the afternoon was Dean Goffin’s Prelude and Fugue ‘Arise my Soul Arise’. The use of dynamics and tempo changes make this an enjoyable composition to play, especially as it has no key changes! The Cornet section may dispute this as section ‘G’ requires absolute accuracy. It was expertly played. It is also an enjoyable listen and received hearty applause.

The band then sung an arrangement of “I’m climbing up the golden stairs to glory” with a quartet accompaniment called ‘Climbing’. In rehearsal there had been much frivolity as the vocal line was not exactly the same as the Band tune and one of the Bandsman kept singing in a quaver rest. However plenty of reminders and a nudge in his ribs at the right time proved successful and he got it right. In fact the band sang it again, this time with the congregation, such was the positive response to it. Two more lighter arrangements followed – Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ and then a Trombone Ensemble – ‘I Reckon on You’, well played by Maurice Horwood, Mel Finch and John White.

 

The upbeat congregational song “I’ve been changed ” was song with gusto by all before the offering. The previous evening the band had played ‘The Boston March’ as an addition to the programme. It was played once again and remarked by Derick Kane that Boston’s Bandmaster may well be resurrecting it for the Corps Band. He smiled and nodded his head!

If you have never heard a Euphonium and Trombone Duet, this was your chance. Called ‘That’s the Spirit’ the words come from the musical Spirit with the first line “Who is it tells me what to do and helps me to obey” with the refrain “That’s the Spirit of the Lord in me”. This is a lively Duet and was played with great aplomb by brothers Adrian and Maurice Horwood.

Words of thanks were then given by Band manager Rowland Little to the Corps folk, especially those involved with the catering and all the other arrangements required to make a weekend successful. This included the link with the band and the Corps through Richard Garrad, who travels down from Boston every fortnight for practice in Bromley. For many of the Band the journey was around 3.5 hrs so his devotion to the Band deserves a special mention as he does it so regularly by train.

Boston Bandmaster, Paul Clark then responded on behalf of the Corps thanking the Musical Director and band for the variety of music and the quality of playing.

A bible thought and words of reflection were provided by John Moye before he quoted the words used in the Bands devotional contribution, Time to be Holy by Paul Sharman.

The afternoon concluded with Dean Goffins ‘To God be the Glory’ before the benediction was pronounced by the Corps Officer. The Band’s last March, conducted by the Boston Bandmaster Paul Clark was Arthur Gullidge’s ‘Emblem of the Army’. A fitting end to a fantastic weekend where old acquaintances were renewed, new friends made, God filled music and song provided, and great worship.

The bandsmen departed after a drink and biscuit, satisfied that the weekend had been such a success and had been so well received by the Corps – lets just hope no one got lost on the way home!