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events. Please keep in touch through these pages and feel free to contact us.

Visitors are welcome to our rehearsals – on 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at Bromley Temple Salvation Army Hall, Ethelbert Road, Bromley BR1 1HU.

‘ The SLFB is open to mature, competent players who fall into one or more of the following categories-
i) are active, retired or former Salvation Army bandsmen
ii) are members of or regular attenders at other churches
iii) are sympathetic to The Salvation Army’s ethos and are committed to the Christian faith

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Below is a report of the Band’s recent visit to Gravesend together with a link to a video of the programme posted on Youtube by Gravesend Corps:

https-//m.youtube.com/watch?v=be4fA1FFU-k&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4v_RYuuqT51xuBOnTbZ4FslPmlmTxFEwZ6UJmbYrfI0xkEpKBn8x-T6r4j1g_aem_GKiuIy1UUoE0MEHCMgHl_w

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Corps Anniversary visit to Gravesend 2025

The Band have been frequent visitors to Gravesend Corps over the years, and it is always a pleasant experience as a result of the kind hospitality and the warm welcome which we always receive.

Our visit this year was enhanced by the participation of Bexleyheath Singing Company under their recently appointed leader, Megan Sandford. There are also close links with Bexleyheath Corps through our current conductor, Derick Kane, and a number of our players.

The Band got the evening off to a rousing “Salvation Army” start with the march “Salvation Song”, to be followed in quieter vein by an arrangement of “An Irish Blessing”, leading to a few moments of refection and prayer brought by our Chaplain, Major Gordon Downey.

One of the first composers to give credibility to SA music within the wider Brass Band movement was Eric Ball, and although it was written some 95 years ago, “The Old Wells” still sounds fresh and up-to-date. The Band gave appropriate respect to the music in a performance of great aplomb and musicality.

Despite having been just recently appointed as leader, Megan Sandford exuded confidence and skill in her conducting of the youngsters, who responded extremely well to her direction. Their first set of 2 songs were “I can do anything” and “Zephaniah 3:17”. The group clearly enjoyed their singing and accompaniments were enhanced by the rhythmic drive on percussion from one of their members, Cory Gash. Cory also joined the Band in the final number of the evening, “Let it shine” in the absence of the Band’s regular percussionist. So thank you, Cory!

 We were then treated to a Cornet Solo from one of the Bexleyheath youngsters, Rowan Mercer, who played the solo “Jesus is strong to deliver”, accompanied by the Band.

 

It was a performance of maturity and skill, which for a fifteen-year-old lad, bodes extremely well for his musical future. Well done, Rowan!

 

 

Musical contrast is often a key to musical enjoyment, and the Band next presented three very different items, starting with the Trombone solo “Swing a happy song” from Maurice Horwood, a collection of swing-based tunes arranged by Derick Kane.

Then we played an arrangement of the “Londonderry Air” from Olaf Ritman, followed by “The Ring of Brodgar”. Derick’s inspiration for this piece came from an ancient Scottish monument, the Ring of Brodgar, giving rise to the largely original suite of music in three movements, which was much appreciated by the audience.

As a congregation, we were very pleased to welcome Councillor Jenny Wallace as a guest for the evening. As Mayor of the borough of Gravesham, this indicates the esteem in which the Corps is held within the area.

 

Brian Hillyer was acknowledged during the evening for his many years of service in the local community and Corps at Gravesend as well as within the Fellowship Band an amazing example of loyalty and commitment for us all.

 

There was then an opportunity for everyone to sing “Count your blessings” before the Band presented “Victory for ever”, the sentiments of which provided the impetus for another year of service by the Corps in the community.

The second set of songs from the Singing Company comprised of 2 songs “I stand amazed” and “I’ll stand for Christ” which were lively and enthusiastically presented – and all from memory.

Adrian Horwood is no stranger to performing Euphonium solos on SLFB programmes, and played to his usual immaculate standard with Peter Graham’s “Glorious Ventures”.

 

The Band then presented Derick’s arrangement of “Those were the days”, which was originally a Russian folk song which became a number one hit in the late 1960’s via some English words and a pretty Welsh vocalist by the name of Mary Hopkin. Joy Webb was then represented on the programme by Derick’s arrangement featuring her song “I can think of Him” which was received in appropriate quietness.

We then came to the final set from the Singing Company – again 2 songs “Do not be afraid” and “Every time I feel the Spirit” which were again delightful to listen to and left us all with the impression that the group have some fine talent which we look forward to seeing develop in future years.

The evening’s final item before “Let it shine” was a selection of classical melodies entitled “Moments with Tchaikovsky”, arranged by Bramwell Coles. Many current professional musicians cut their musical teeth on this type of music in their younger formative days as SA Bandsmen, and “Moments” is enjoyable music for both listeners and players alike, providing some challenging passages as part of its transition from orchestral to brass band music. It was appreciated by all present and set the seal on another most rewarding trip for the Band to Gravesend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Don’t miss our next concert – pre-Christmas music at The Salvation Army, Maidstone as detailed below:

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Click on Contact Us, above, to ask any questions or send us any comments you may have.
To contact any of our members individually please visit our Personnel Page

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