Hadleigh Temple Guest Night

Soloists: Gary & James Fountain; David & Sarah Stanley
Saturday 7th October

The latest in a series of Guest Nights at Hadleigh Temple was held to raise funds towards a forthcoming visit to Holland by Hadleigh Temple Singing Company (junior choir). 

Arranged by Peter Edwards, the featured soloists were Gary Fountain, soprano cornet with the International Staff Band, and his son James, together with David Stanley (piano) and his wife Sarah (vocal).

Hadleigh Temple opened the proceedings with George Marshall's stirring march "Soldiers of Christ" before leading the congregation in an up-tempo arrangement of the hymn "Praise my soul".  Peter Edwards then introduced the guests, together with Hadleigh's commanding officer, Major Noel Wright, who compered the evening in his own inimitable style.

In his first solo spot, 12 year old James revealed what a burgeoning talent with his mature rendition of Albert Jakeway's air varie "Mighty to keep" and Les Condon's reflective setting of "Prayer of childhood". Displaying both technical prowess and sensitive use of rubato he was seemingly totally unfazed by the occasion.

David Stanley, who has appeared as soloist at Hadleigh on several occasions, has recently been appointed Deputy Head Teacher at the school where he and his wife both teach.  The hall soon echoed to the sound of swing as David presented his own jazz medley, with a big concerto-style opening leading into "It don't mean a thing if it aint got that swing", "I got rhythm" and "Nice work if you can get it". 

A taste of Mozart, played with a very delicate touch, preceded a tongue in cheek version of Rubinstein's "Melody in F", played on the glockenspiel to Sarah's piano accompaniment, as his former percussion tutor looked on from his seat in the band.  He concluded his first set with an arrangement of music from "My fair lady".

As the evening was in support of the Singing Company, they duly played their part, despite their numbers being drastically reduced due to holidays and a clash of dates with a Salvation Army youth event.  Only six members took the stage instead of the usual twenty plus, but what they lacked in numbers they made up for in enthusiasm and musicianship as they sang John Rutter's "The Heavenly Aeroplane" with gusto and well balanced harmonies.  Hadleigh Band was also somewhat depleted due to holidays, but their rendition of "One Voice" (Manilow, arr Farr), led by the dulcet tones of Bram Chestney's euphonium, seemed to be well received.

Sarah Stanley is a product of neighbouring Leigh on Sea Corps, where she plays cornet in the band.  She began her contribution with two songs from the musical "Beauty and the beast": the somewhat apprehensive "Is this home?" and "A change in me".  Sarah's crystal clear diction and committed approach to both songs conveyed the varied emotions most effectively. 

Gounod's "Ave Maria" was followed by a challenge issued to those present in the form of Bill Himes' "All that I am". A minor error on behalf of Major Wright led to the duet "Pie Jesu" leading straight into Gary's next pair of solos, but this seemed to create no major difficulties, other than the need for a brief sip of water in between. 

In the duet, taken from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Requiem" and arranged by Ray Steadman-Allen, Gary on soprano and James on Bb cornet blended well together.  Gary then presented his contribution to the Mozart anniversary with the "Queen of the night's aria" in an effective arrangement by Iain Rayner.  Very lightly scored in places, it allowed the soloist to be heard clearly, aided by Gary's crisp articulation. 

Simon Kerwin's setting of Caravelli's "Let me try again", in which Gary settled comfortably into a more relaxed style of playing, brought to the end a first half which, in the words of the compere, had entertained, thrilled and challenged.

The second half opened with the full-throated singing of "Bringing in the sheaves", recognising that the evening formed part of the Corps' Harvest Festival weekend, and also allowing any latecomers to take their seats. 

More Mozart followed, with James playing George Marshall's transcription of "Alleluja" from his "Exultate Jubilate". Sarah sang a arrangement of "Beautiful Saviour" to the old crusader's hymn tune "Ascalon" before a moving interpretation of "Memory" from "Cats". 

This was originally amongst Gary's possible items, but it was good to be reminded of the poignancy of the words, communicated so well on this occasion.  Sarah's final item was Michel Legrand's "What are you doing the rest of your life?", enhanced as ever by the telling contribution of David at the piano.

David's own solo items were full of contrast: a combination of "Hungarian Dance" and the vibrant rhythms of Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance" was followed by the peace and tranquillity of Debussy's "La fille aux cheveux de lins".

Gary then brought an old favourite with W.A.Allison's version of "Silver threads among the Gold", the steady polka tempo allowing the music ample room to breathe.  Douglas Court arranged "Standing on the promises" for Philip Smith, who has recorded it with the New York Staff Band.  On this occasion the opening was taken by James on flugel, producing a full, round tone that would be the envy of many senior players, whilst Gary took up the trumpet for the exhilarating second section.

Noah Bruce's tune for the hymn "There is a green hill far away" has been arranged by Roy Newsome, and this provided a prelude to the scripture thoughts, in which Lt Col David Phillips reminded everyone that God is present, no matter what stage of life one may have reached. 

To conclude the devotional period, James impressed everyone with his sensitive reading of "Share my yoke" (Joy Webb, arr Ivor Bosanko).

An expression of thanks was given by Hadleigh's flugel player Alex Campbell, who pointed out that he was probably the happiest person in the hall, following on from Scotland's 1-0 victory over France earlier in the day! 

The sum of £282 pounds was presented to Harriet Carter, the youngest Singing Company member present, and the evening concluded with Gary and James joining the band in Leslie Condon's scintillating march ‘Celebration".

Peter Bale

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