*
banner

The International Staff Band of the Salvation Army

2019 RNCM Brass Band Festival
Conductor: Stephen Cobb
RNCM Manchester
Saturday 27th January


Placing Wilfred Heaton in the appropriate context as a brass band composer remains as enigmatic a riddle as the man himself. 

His musical relationship with the Salvation Army seems to have been one of youthful enterprise followed by sparkling imagination and eventual mature soul searching.  

Creative spark

As a result, his ‘creative spark’, as Festival Director Paul Hindmarsh recalled, was certainly intermittent (decades so at some point), although it always retained a level of quite remarkable invention.

How could an 18 year old structure a march quite like ‘Praise’ - one to be played at a very specific stately 112 beats but still retaining such a light, acerbic wit, whilst also being able to treat the seemingly mundane variation form of ‘Celestial Prospect’ with such symphonic detail and harmonic originality?   

Not surprisingly those questions and more remained unresolved at the end of the ISB’s welcome return to the RNCM Festival for the first time since 2005 - one that was both long overdue and thoroughly absorbing. 

Heaton’s sporadic ‘classics’ came in different forms; the quirky march followed by the beautiful simplicity of ‘Passing By’ and the gloriously complex drive and muscular purpose of ‘Toccata’ (O the Blessed Lord).  

Then there was the theatrical waltz fancy of ‘Mercy’s Light’, the affecting humility of ‘My Master’s Will’, and the impressionistic charm of the Ravel inspired ‘Victory for Me’ (which confirmed that Heaton was not adverse of pinching an idea or two from others).

Heaton’s sporadic ‘classics’ came in different forms; the quirky march followed by the beautiful simplicity of ‘Passing By’ and the gloriously complex drive and muscular purpose of ‘Toccata’ (O the Blessed Lord).  

Fulfilling ending

‘Just as I Am’ seemed like an opaque self-portrait - deeply interwoven textures building to a passionate peak before the exhaustive repose. 

It was left to ‘Celestial Prospect’ to provide the fulfilling ending; Stephen Cobb pacing each of the variations with intuitive understanding, the ensemble playing with considered respect, especially in the central elegy section of melancholic poignancy.  

It was a fine close to a fine concert - one that had a memorable coda with the affectionate acclaim reserved for Derick Kane after 42 years of outstanding dedication to his faith and his music.

Iwan Fox     

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd