The concert was given to a full hall, with the mayor in attendance. The programme offered plenty of variety from Steven Ponsford’s majestic Hail the Risen Lord to Jim Wright’s Sunday school reminder Fantasia for Children and a setting of the Londonderry Air. Peter Graham’s difficult euphonium duet Brillante was “brilliantly” presented by Adrian and Simon. Alan’s more introspective cornet solo, Healing Waters by Ken Downie, made a distinct contrast.
Lovers of older style marches were offered Southern Australia by George Gullidge and On the Road by Howard Davies gave the audience a reminder of well-known Christian songs.
Two more reflective numbers in Bill Himes’ Soli Deo Gloria (with the help of Bach) and another Ponsford setting Now I belong to Jesus. His writing also gave us the major work in Music of a Legacy, which gave some of the band’s best playing.
Divisional leaders Lieut-Colonels Angela and Ray Irving helped lead the concert through and added a Bible message, before the band ended the concert with the march Light-Bringer.
Dave Hicks
