Foden’s Glyn & Helen Williams have recently returned from a very enjoyable visit to Canada at the invitation of Simcoe Corps SA Band and The Prairie Brass Band Festival.

Enjoyable

The duo arrived in Toronto after freezing rain delayed flights from New York, but after a good night’s sleep they were ready for rehearsals with Simcoe Corps SA Band before taking an hour’s drive to Hamilton where they met up with Meadowlands Corps SA Band.

Over a dozen members of the two SA bands took the opportunity to book in for private tuition from Glyn and Helen, with the lessons filling up enjoyable Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Extravaganza

Saturday evening saw Simcoe’s ‘Spring Musical Extravaganza’ concert take place, with Meadowlands Corps SA Band accompanying Glyn and Helen in their showcase solo contributions, much to the delight of an appreciative audience.

Glyn was also joined by Ken Spink (who originally hails from West Yorkshire) for the duet ‘Deep Inside the Sacred Temple’, before he took the baton as Meadowlands Band Master Ron Heintzman took up his soprano to join Helen in ‘Pie Jesu’.

Delight

On Sunday morning the pair joined Simcoe Corps SA Band under Band Master Ian Cooper for their weekly service performing ‘Victory Sure’ and ‘Share My Yoke’ to a delighted congregation.

Helen told 4BR: "We had a wonderful time. Ian Cooper and his family were super hosts while we were in Toronto area, making sure we spent what little free time was available seeing the sights and even ensuring we were booked in for a two night stay at Niagara Falls."

Snow

The duo then flew west to Saskatoon, where the weather was considerably colder and snow was still lying thick on the ground, to take part in the 11th Prairie Brass Band Festival, where they were hosted by Will & Karen Martin, who also originally come from the UK.

Both Studied at Salford University, where Will played for Grimethorpe on percussionist for a time and Karen was a student of Glyn’s at High School!

Tuition

Glyn and Helen spent their week providing private tuition, masterclasses in local high schools and rehearsals with the four brass bands taking part in the Festival.

Friday evening was a particular highlight as the couple were treated to front row seats for the Mnozil Brass Show – the first time they had ever seen the amazing ensemble in action.

Rehearsal

The following day started with a massed band rehearsal (Saskatoon Brass, Mission Hill Brass, Queen City Brass and Bridge City Brass) led by Glyn and featuring Helen in ‘Valero’ and ‘Riverdance’.

Each of the bands was also given the opportunity to work on their individual slots in the evening concert and to rehearse solos with Glyn and Helen.

The Festival was concluded with a superb Gala Concert, where Helen treated the audience to ‘Apex’ (with Mission Hill) and ‘Children of Sanchez’ (Saskatoon), whilst Glyn played ‘The Holy Well’ (Queen City) and ‘Carnival of Venice’ (Bridge City) which had the audience on its feet and earned an encore of the final variation!

It was a trip we will never forget – and our hosts throughout were simply wonderful. It was such an enriching opportunity that we can only hope we can return some day in the very near futureHelen Williams

Memorable

Directed by Glyn the massed bands joined forces to round off a memorable event with, ‘Reunion & Finale’ complete with the Marion Graham Collegiate Drumline.

As Helen told 4BR: "It was a trip we will never forget – and our hosts throughout were simply wonderful. It was such an enriching opportunity that we can only hope we can return some day in the very near future!"