The Salvation Army's Australian Territorial Youth Band, appearing prior to their appearance in Birmingham at Symphony Sounds 2017, made a fine impression at Bedford. 

They opened with Andrew Blyth's 'Immeasurable', played in the presence of the composer, with the bass and percussion sections making a firm mark. Kevin Larsson's 'Glory Hallelujah!' then treated the old chorus in the style of an American circus band, with crisp articulation and interchange between the sections.

Powerful singing

Accompanying the band was vocalist Silvie Paladino; her powerful singing well matched by Brian Hogg's arrangements, which incorporated piano and bass guitar, as well as features for Britteny Ling and Josie Magnay on trumpet and trombone. Silvie also engagingly shared the compere duties with conductor, Ken Waterworth.

The band's members are drawn from across Australia, and 'Fuego' , a cornet quartet featured two cornetists from each territory, before euphonium player Jaiden Ivers presented James Curnow's 'Rhapsody for Euphonium' - combining a fine lyrical style with excellent technical skills.

God's children

The second composer in attendance was Martin Cordner who had the chance to hear 'Semper Fidelis' - not the Sousa version, but his own reminder of the faithfulness of God.

Bill Himes' popular march 'God's Children' opened the second half before Sam Creamer's 'The Kingdom is Theirs', a treatment of two songs from Salvation Army musicals, with an interesting flugel-led jazz-waltz interlude.

Brandon Waterworth is an exceptional talent, and he accompanied Silvie on vibraphone in 'Jesus, I Love You' before playing Brian Hogg's setting of 'Everything' with the band. The melody 'Jesus, Thou Art Everything to Me' appeared once more in Sam Creamer's 'Enough for Me', together with 'Christ is Enough for Me', and 'I Have Decided to Follow Jesus'.

Different side

A different side to Kevin Larsson's writing was heard in 'Peace'; an extended work focussing on the peace that comes through a relationship with Jesus. The melody of 'Hyfrydol' emerged from a xylophone ostinato before references to 'The Infant King' and 'Sing, Lullaby'. The work closed in affirmation with Eric Ball's majestic setting of 'Peace in Our Time, O Lord'.

For the finale, Silvie joined the band for a thrilling account of Len Ballantine's arrangement of 'Amazing Grace'.

Peter Bale