Monthly Archives: March 2024

Chatham Citadel – February 2024

The Band kicked off their 2024 engagements with, as the posters said, ‘A programme of uplifting music. Chatham Songsters were the home supporting section.

The evening commenced with a stirring rendition of the Festival March Ambassadors (Peter Graham). Featuring ‘Stand up Stand up for Jesus’ and ‘Marching through Georgia’ it was composed for the New York Staff Band world tour in 1982. This was immediately followed by a Derick Kane arrangement of Bob Chilcott’s Irish blessing.

The evening’s music was enhanced by the well thought out media presentations of Graham Kinsley and ably compered by Derick Kane.

The evenings first soloist was Andy Pretious (Bexleyheath) who has ably led the cornet section over the last few years. He played an arrangement especially written for him by Derick called Joyous Song based around the old chorus ‘When I remember that he died for me, I’ll never go back anymore’. He delighted the congregation with great technique and tone.

In rehearsals, Derick mentioned that the programme had music with links to a number of countries. Three excerpts followed with Scotland, Finland and Wales being the countries featured. The first was from Norman Bearcroft’s Sound of Britain Wi’ a hundred pipers.  Second was from the rarely heard Finnish Suite (Robert Redhead) A rose there bloomed, a beautiful Finnish folk song that should be played more and finally the stirring Welsh Hymn Arrangement Men of Harlech (Langford).

If was then the turn of Chatham Songsters led by SL Carolynn Woodman-Evans who provided a reflective song called ‘Pray’ that was interspersed  with prayer by Major Judith Payne. This was followed by a vocal arrangement of Chopin Prelude. Continuing a more reflective time the band played an arrangement of Abide with me composed by bandsman Graham Hardwick, with very much a blues feel featuring a cornet obligato.

The second soloist of the evening was Euphonium player Adrian Horwood in front of his home crowd. He played Star Lake Variations arranged by Paul Sharman.  This showcased Adrian’s virtuosity on the Euphonium including Polyphonics on the low note in one of the Cadenzas which drew a nod of appreciation from the Bandmaster no less. The applause and a shout from the Corps Officer Ian Payne, ‘Could you play it faster’ brought much laughter.

The first half ended with the major piece Durham Snapshots written by Derick Kane. The idea for the four movements came from a visit to Durham by the composer and his wife when lockdown restrictions were eased after Covid. Very much taken by the Castle, the cathedral and the river these sights and sounds are interwoven to provide an eminently playable piece with interesting parts for all parts of the Band. It also references a Hymn to the Saints – the Saint being St. Cuthbert, with the tune of the same name. St. Cuthbert is buried in the cathedral. It was well received by the congregation.

After a brief interval the Band then led the congregation in Amazing Grace. The tune was given a 4/4 upbeat refresh and was sung with great gusto by the congregation.

The Salvation Army has many fine classic Marches and the Band played one of the best. Montreal Citadelwritten by Norman Audoire, who although born in Hertfordshire England, lived most of his life in Canada including being the Bandmaster of Montreal Citadel for a number of years. It is hard to believe the march is 90 years old.

The band then provided a vocal arrangement of What a wonderful world arranged with a Trombone and Eb Bass ensemble. Immortalised by Louis Armstrong this has proved popular over the last 12 months with band and congregations alike, reminding us that in a world where there are many problems, looking for the positives and the good things in life is far more uplifting.

In terms of popularity and upbeat foot tapping music, Derick has written a piece called Riverside. Based around the Negro spiritual ‘Down by the Riverside’ this is feel good music that brings a smile to your face. The band enjoys playing it and congregations also love it.

Chatham Songsters then sang 2 songs, the first called My Father’s House and introduced by the Songster Leader as a tribute to life long Salvationist and Songster Jean Jones who was in palliative care. Jean was known by many and will be sorely missed but with the knowledge that she is in ‘My Father House’. The second item ‘What the world needs’ showcased the vocal talents of Emma Davis. As the Songster Leader at Sittingbourne, I always enjoy listening to other brigades and the quality of the Chatham Songsters was clearly evident.

Prior to the Bible thought by Roger Gadsden the Trombone section was featured in When I Survey by the Dutch Salvationist Olaf Ritman who is currently Bandmaster of the Amsterdam Staff Band. Based on the folk song ‘O waley, waley’ it is associated with Isaac Watts’ hymn ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’. This is a lovely arrangement and with Easter nearly upon us, a reminder of the sacrifice made for us all.

The final piece was the 1935 Salvation Army classic by Eric Ball Sound out the Proclamation. The chorus to the main theme has these words ‘There’s a sparkling jewelled crown of golden light. A robe of dazzling snowy white. For ev’ry victor in the fight. Whose battle cry is ‘God and Souls’. The March On the Kings Highwaythen concluded a great evening of uplifting music in which the band was on fine form.

The thoughts and prayers of the Fellowship Band were very much with our Soprano Player Jeremy Davis who the previous day had a major heart operation. He was in his words ‘gutted’ to be missing the concert and we wish Jeremy a speedy recovery as well as Alan Moyse and Kelvin Yendell who missed the concert due to illness. Thanks to our deps Ryan Coates and Edward Neeve for filling in at short notice.

The Fellowship Band look forward to its next engagement in Holy week at Tunbridge Wells.

Paul Newman