A Celebration Night

Hadleigh Temple Band
Bandmaster: Ken Hillson
Hadleigh Temple
Saturday 24th November

Just as it appears that long periods of tenure for the managers of football clubs are a thing of the past, so can it seem with conductors of brass bands, judging by the high turnover apparent from press releases and advertisements placed in the Classifieds.  

Ken Hillson, bandmaster of Hadleigh Temple Band since 1997, has reached the twenty year mark, and the band’s first Celebration Night set out to recognise that milestone.  Former members of the band travelled from near and far, with a number taking part in the second half of the programme.  

Following a joint rehearsal, the teatime period offered an opportunity to share memories, and to peruse the collection of photographs and memorabilia on display, some of which dated back to the first band formed at Hadleigh Colony. 

The first half of the evening programme was given by the present band.  Following an opening song and prayer, the band was greeted as it marched into the hall, before opening appropriately with Les Condon’s march “Celebration”.  

During the final section, featuring the chorus “We’ll Keep the Old Flag Flying”, the band flag made its entrance, carried by Malcolm Wilson.  This was followed by Eric Ball’s set of variations on “The Old Wells”, a classic dating from 1930 which has frequently appeared on the band’s programmes down the years.

The band’s Principal Cornet is Deputy Bandmaster Keith Johnson, and he demonstrated his clear, pure tone as he presented William Himes’ setting of “I’d rather have Jesus”.  

Moving to one of the younger bandsmen, Anthony Sommerville, a Musician in the Grenadier Guards’ Band, made light of the difficulties of Norman Bearcroft’s euphonium solo “The Great Adventure”, written for Derick Kane.  The accompaniment was generally sympathetic, with just a little uncertainty apparent towards the end. 

The compere for the evening, the band’s Executive Officer, Lt Col David Phillips, had already made mention of some of the family connections within the band, with six ladies, three father and son pairings and one mother and daughter, although he omitted to mention that trombonist Ben Still has both mother and father serving within the band.  

Hadleigh Temple’s Commanding Officer, Major Noel Wright, referred to the commitment of members over the years, and especially those who have served as Band Local Officers.  Particular recognition was made of the service of former Band Sergeant Roger Styles, who was unable to be present, and Deputy Bandmaster Keith Johnson, who was presented with a certificate, and his wife Pam with a bouquet of flowers, acknowledging her support of Keith’s work with the band.

Following a vocal rendition of “The Infant King”, the band tackled the major work of the evening, Eric Ball’s “Resurgam”.  David Phillips spoke of the need for bandsmen to be tested and challenged by the music put in front of them, making mention of the origins of “Resurgam” as a test piece for contesting bands, but also stressing the spiritual aspects of the music.  

Whilst the band’s rendition would have been unlikely to win any prizes, it was nevertheless a heartfelt interpretation, with some particularly sensitive playing in the quiet sections.

The band benefits from the support of many within the corps, and it was one of these supporters who returned from holiday a few years ago with a set of Roy Newsome’s arrangement of “There is a Green Hill”. 

It soon became an established favourite, and the congregation were invited to sing the familiar words associated with Noah Bruce’s melody.  Ken Hillson dispensed with the baton for a brief item from the classics, the theme from the “Second Movement of Schubert’s 5th Symphony”, arranged by Brian Bowen, whose mother is a soldier at Hadleigh.

To close the first half with a bang, Ken had chosen “Toccata in D Minor” (Bach, arr Kraydonck).  The playing was nothing if not enthusiastic, with Ben Still starring on kit, and despite a little untidiness towards the end it seemed a hit with the audience.

During a brief interval, additional chairs and stands were set up to accommodate the extra players to make a band of over fifty players, including four former bandmasters at the corps.  The first items by the combined forces were Wilfred Heaton’s march “Praise” and Ray Steadman-Allen’s popular selection “His Guardian Care”, with the expanded trombone section doing sterling work in the latter piece.

Major Wright drew on the choruses included in the selection as he spoke of need for God to be able to count on us, just as we rely on Him, going on to refer to the commitment, fulfilment and frustration of being the leader of a musical section.  As he pointed out, it is one thing having the ability to do the job, but “availability” is just as important.  The band rose to their feet as Ken received is Certificate of Recognition and Joyce her bouquet of flowers.

Dean Goffin’s “The Compassionate Christ” and a quick dash through “Trepak” (Tchaikovsky, arr Wilkinson) preceded a powerful rendition of Eric Ball’s “The Kingdom Triumphant”, the climax enhanced by the addition of a tam tam roll.  After a brief encore in the form of the sparkling march “Concord” the evening concluded with a sung benediction, “The Lord Bless Thee and Keep Thee” (arr Noel Jones).

Peter Bale

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