Following the departure of Jonathan Corry to America, Bandmaster Iain Parkhouse of Croydon Citadel led the band at St Pancras Church - a beautiful building, but far from ideal for a brass band.

Tom Davoren had provided the opening item - his first piece for a Salvation Army band. 'Living Power' fitted the bill admirably; from the busy somewhat troubled-sounding opening bars to the resounding confidence of the melody 'Lord of the Years'. 

Celebrity host

Bill Himes' fusion of Bach and contemporary worship 'Soli Deo Gloria' then led into the opening devotions and the introduction of celebrity host and chef, Brian Turner. 

'The Proclaimers' followed, with its use of Meredith Willson’s tune 'Banners and Bonnets', after which Owen Farr was featured in 'Napoli'. Throughout the evening the band accompanied very well, with just the occasional uncertain change of tempo, and that was shown in 'The Little Russian', full of verve and exuberance. 'Lux Aurumque' then offered a welcome moment of respite and reflection.

Commanding presence

Owen Farr’s commanding presence thrilled in Bill Geldard's 'Autumn Leaves' - sounding as if it had always been intended for tenor horn. The band then closed with the tone poem 'The Present Age', making much of the range of emotions between the doubt and uncertainty of the opening and the assurance of the final statement of 'Courage, Brother'.

A sextet of bandsmen proceeding up the aisle ‘New Orleans’ style brought the audience back to their seats with 'Hallelujah Parade', with the band continuing with Andrew Wainwright's 'Illuminate'.

Stunning

Owen Farr the stunned the audience with the 'Finale’ from the Haydn ‘Cello Concerto', helped by the lightly-scored accompaniment. 

After the Spanish style 'Gigue: Allelujah, Amen!' he presented two final items. His warm lyricism was seen in 'You Love Me' whilst 'Carnival of Venice' proved a real show-stopper, including one variation in which he rotated the horn from side to side whilst playing. His final top F was met with a well-deserved ovation.

Spring in her step

Major Gaudion's scripture message led neatly into 'Devotion'; Kenneth Downie's sensitive setting of 'I Would be Thy Holy Temple' before the band turned to Peter Graham's powerful 'Sinfonietta: The Dawning'. 

The aggressive opening contrasted with the gentle cornet soliloquy and the euphonium's presentation of 'There will be God', before the melody 'Oh Lord, what a Morning' brought a triumphant conclusion. 

All that remained was the traditional rendition of 'The Red Shield' to send the listeners off with a spring in their step.

Peter Bale