2005 RNCM Festival of Brass - Part 6 of 7

The International Staff Band
Sunday 23rd January

Conductor: Stephen Cobb
Soloist: Susan Bickley
RNCM

The inclusion of the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army brought many Salvationists to Manchester for their concert. The bands programme was like a breathe of fresh air compared to all that had gone before it, with a mix of serious and lighter music still in-keeping with the Festival themes.

The highlights were undoubtedly the World Premiere of Kevin Norbury's ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Purcell' and ‘Victorian Snapshots – On Ratcliff Highway'. Both were quite outstanding contributions to the concert. 

The Purcell was requested by Stephen Cobb and is a great work that will be heard many times, whilst the ISB's programme concluded with one of the great Ray Steadman-Allen pieces.

In addition, the band performed a new piece by Dean Jones entitled ‘Glorifico Aeternum' that was very lively in style and that featured a number of well known religious tunes within it as well as Goffin's ‘My Strength, My Tower' and Howarth's ‘Five Folk Songs' conducted by the composer and featuring Susan Bickley as the soloist.

The Gregson pieces included his march ‘Daralo' as well as a fine performance by Derick Kane in ‘Symphonic Rhapsody for Euphonium and Band' and the popular ‘Variations on Laudate Dominum' that features the hymn tune ‘O Worship The King'.

The delightful ‘Shekinah' is the title of the bands latest CD release and is music from the pen of Kenneth Downie.  This composition was also featured along with another performance of Heaton's march ‘Praise' which had a real authentic witty feel about it. 

The opportunity to hear this fine ensemble was appreciated by all in attendance as the band performed extremely well.  Kevin Ashman on Principal Cornet was in fine form as was Paul Sharman on soprano, and mention must be given to stand-in Bb Bass Andrew Miller from Kettering Citadel.  Andrew was brought in at the last minute after Trevor Caffull had to pull out of the concerts on Saturday and at the Festival. With no rehearsal behind him, Andrew did a sterling job in the basses that were in good form all day including another familiar face from SP&S, Carl Woodman.

Malcolm Wood

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