Music for Everyone

Hadleigh Temple
Saturday 5th February 2005

There was a full house at the Salvation Army in Hadleigh for a concert to raise money for the Hadleigh Training Centre.  Arranged by Lt Colonel David Phillips, soloists Carl Saunders and Richard Phillips were supported by the London North East Divisional Senior Band and Hadleigh Temple Timbrels, with guest compere Cathy le Feuvre.

Following an opening timbrel display to Arthur Gullidge's march "Emblem of the Army" the band, under their conductor Geoff Jordan, presented Ray Steadman-Allen's air varie "The Praising Heart".  Carl's first contribution, accompanied by the band, was Peter Graham's "The Amazing Mr Leidzen", before the congragation had the opportunity to sing along with Howard Davies' selection "Praise Him with Song".

Richard Phillips' reputation as a fine pianist is well deserved, and he astounded those in the hall with his vibrant reading of Claude Debussy's "Pour le piano", with its range of styles and exciting rhythms.  He then took up the baton to conduct the band in Ray Steadman-Allen's selection of songs from the Salvation Army musical "Spirit", making the most of the contrasting sctions, ranging from the dramatic and meditative to the playfulness and exuberance of the final galop of "What does the Spirit say to the churches".

To introduce the appeal, Cathy interviewed two of the tutors at the Hadleigh Training Centre.  John and Brian both came initially as trainees, needing to rebuild confidence and develop skills to return to employment, and are now able to share those skills with the eighty or so trainees currently on the programme.  They also spoke of the centre's involvement with the Chelsea Flower Show, and the hope that the Salvation Army exhibit "From Darkness into Light" will be recreated at the Centre.  The subsquent collection, once expenses had been met, ensured that the centre will receive over £1,000 to support its work.

Following a congregational song, Richard conducted the band in William Himes' fine march "Motivation" with its distinctively trans-Atlantic feel and prominent percussion writing.  For their second item, for which their numbers were increased from 6 to 8, the timbrels performed to Dudley Bright's "Assignment", coping well despite the limited space available, which led to the swift removal of the floral display just in the nick of time!

Carl's next two items were both accompanied on the piano: Mervyn Clarke's transcription of the devotional song "Precious Jesus" was followed by Carl announcing, with obvious elation, Wales' 11-9 victory over England earlier that evening.  Having warned Richard not to set too fast a tempo, he launched into Terry Camsey's "Longings".  With the presentation of the theme, he promenaded around the hall, stopping where possible to shake a few hands, before upping the tempo with some fine double-tonguing.  Come the piano interlude, however, Richard was clearly getting faster and faster, leading to a little unrehearsed repartee, culminating in many laughs and not a few false starts, before the two players brought the piece to a triumphant conclusion.

A devotional period commenced with two of Richard's own piano arrangements, firstly a setting of Ray Bowes melody "Jesus loves me" , and then Richard's very individual take on "Count your blessings" a la Russ Conway.  Following a reminder from Lt Colonel Phillips that "Love is all around", and in particular the love of God, the band gave a sensitive rendition of Keith Manners' "Everlasting Love", featuing the tunes "Such Love" and "The Wonder of His Grace" .

For the final item, Carl presented a new solo written for him by Paul Sharman of Regent Hall and the International Staff Band: "A Golden Crown" is based around the old gospel song "Marching on in the light of God" , and incorporates references to "Land of my Fathers" and "God bless the Prince of Wales" set against flowing scalic work that seems so suited to Carl's style.

An enjoyable evening was had by all: first class soloists with some sterling work from the band, particularly in the light of the limited rehearsal time, and all linked by Cathy's relaxed but informed introductions.

Peter Bale

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