History was made at Kneller Hall when the Yorkshire Divisional Youth Band became the first Salvation Army band to perform at this celebrated series of summer concerts.
Seated in front of the famous rock, they provided a balanced programme as a prelude to the main event, which saw The Household Troops Band join the three professional brass bands now forming part of The Corps of Army Music.
Fanfare and Flourishes
As 8 o'clock approached, the Band of The King's Division and The Household Troops Band marched smartly up to the stand playing 'Colonel Mitchell' and 'The Red Shield'.
The opening items, 'Fanfare and Flourishes' and 'Walking with Heroes' were both enhanced by the twelve-strong fanfare team; trumpets to the left, trombones to the right.
The highlight of 'Gaelforce' which followed was the flugel playing in 'The Minstrel Boy', whilst the muted cornets and trombones were also most effective.
Fine soloists
More soloists were featured with 1st Lt Jan Pohoraly playing the 'Queen of the Night' aria on piccolo trumpet, before Msns Russell and Taylor, on horn and baritone, presented the atmospheric 'Meiso'.
Despite some uncertainty over tempo at times, it was an excellent performance by two soloists who are soon to complete their Phase 2 training and join their respective bands.
The soloist showcase was rounded off by 'Hora Staccato' played by eight cornets, and L/Cpl Perry O'Brien’s cracking Sinatra-esque rendition of 'It Had to be You', in his own big-band style arrangement.
Service
The march 'Under Two Flags' was written to mark the service of Salvationists in the forces, and received a controlled reading under the direction of Lt Col Tomislav Susac, before 'Shine as the Light' featured fine solo work, as well as some slick tuned percussion.
Major John Mott led the massed forces in 'Shenandoah' before Sgt Lawrence took over for 'Celebration', explaining that her husband had grown up in the Boscombe Corps. Again the reading was notable for its restraint, with the first appearance of 'We'll Keep the Old Flag Flying', showing off the flugels and horns to fine effect.
Contrast
Two contrasting arrangements from Philip Harper came next: 'Water of the Tyne' was beautifully sustained whilst 'La Fiesta' allowed several soloists their moment in the spotlight.
The 'Finale' from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Symphony No 4' (‘The Little Russian’) made for an excellent climax, with the basses and trombones in particular coming into their own. A firework display behind the stand certainly added to the spectacle!
First class
'Music Makers', the Corps of Army Music march, and 'The National Anthem' brought a first class evening (with a special mention to Bandmaster Stuart Hall (Maidenhead) and his team who worked very hard in preparing and promoting the evening) to a resounding close.
Peter Bale
