South London Fellowship Band
25-Mar-2007Emmanuel United Reformed Church
Conductor: George Whittingham
West Wickham
Friday 16th March
Resplendent in their bright blue blazers, the South London Fellowship Band gave a concert to a packed congregation in a West Wickham Church, Kent that was a joy to the eye and a delight to the ear.
The opening number featured six cornetists who gave a spirited rendering of 'Heralds of Victory' by Richard Holz. This was to become a benchmark of a programme that was full of variety and not a few surprises.
The band items, mainly from the shows, included such numbers as ‘The Music of the Night' and ‘All I ask of You' from Phantom of the Opera, ‘Climb Every Mountain' from the Sound of Music, together with a Salvation Army evergreen ‘Take over Bid.' The march ‘Mighty to Save' by George Marshall brought a change of mood and was also well received.
Eric Rapp, an octogenarian and principal cornet of the band gave a polished performance of the solo ‘April Showers,' his tone and technique belying his age. The presentation was top drawer stuff and was up there with the best.
Musical Director George Whittingham, with his dual role as conductor and compere was well in control of the band and brought shape and nuances to the music with careful attention to rallentando and rubato. This conductor had done his homework and knew the building (there was no over blowing); he knew the audience (always on their wavelength); and knew the music (always giving the music style and panache).
A young vocal soloist, 18 year-old Anthony Harris, charmed the congregation with his solos, ‘Sunrise Sunset' taken from Fiddler on the Roof, ‘O What a Beautiful Morning' from Oklahoma and songs from Carousel and Le Miserables. This young man has a great future. His vocal numbers will sit easily in any musical on any West End stage. Watch this space!
On the same evening as Comic Relief, this audience had provided sufficient funding to The Salvation Army ‘Watershed Project' to provide 96 families in Angola, West Africa with clean water.
The concert came to a close with some devotional comments by Roger Gadsden followed by a sensitive and moving number ‘I'll Walk with God' by the band arr. Goff Richards.
Arthur Kenny, of Cory fame, was once asked what you need to be a good adjudicator. He replied: ‘A sharp pencil and a fast car.' There was no hurrying away after this concert. Nor was there for this reviewer. It attested to the fact that here is a band that ‘refreshes parts some other bands can't reach.'
Cliff Kent
