Brass Spectacular

Houston Salvation Army
Director: Jamie Hood
Guest Soloist: Steven Mead
Zilka Hall, Houston, Texas
Saturday 28th November

On Saturday 28th of November 2007 The Salvation Army in Houston Texas put on their first ever “Brass Spectacular”. 

Performing Arts Academy Director Jamie Hood had invited international euphonium star Steven Mead to be the guest soloist. Steve was accompanied by a brass band made up of players from The Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet and some local freelance musicians. In addition to these local professional brass players Jamie brought in Mike Baker and Doug Berry from The New York Staff Band, Marc Hood from The Basel 1 Salvation Army Band, Randi Bulla of The National Capitol Band and Connie Barrington and David Solis from The Southern Territorial Band of The Salvation Army. 

As well as these top SA players Jamie asked his good friend and tenor horn star Allan Wardrope of Kirkintilloch Band to be the band's solo horn player. 

The repertoire for this concert was made up from SA brass classics. The evening started of with the Festival March 'Celebration' by Leslie Condon which got the concert off to a great start. The band then presented Eric Ball’s 'Kingdom Triumphant'. 

The pieces were introduced by Bandmaster William Himes of the Chicago Staff Band. Bandmaster Himes was the perfect compeer for the evening and knew exactly what to say all through the concert to the 500 strong audience who packed into Zilkha Hall of The Hobby Centre in Downtown Houston. The audience was then introduced to the guest soloist for the evening, Steven Mead.

Steven’s first solo for the evening was the SA classic 'The Song of the Brother'. The applause after the first variation showed everyone’s appreciation of Steven’s playing, more was to come…

After 'Just As I Am' by Wilfred Heaton Steve returned to the stage to play his second solo the evening 'We’ll All Shout Hallelujah'. The first half was brought to a close with a wonderful performance of the band of Leslie Condon’s 'The Call of The Righteous'. 

The second half resumed with an energetic reading and performance of 'A Psalm of Praise' by James Curnow. 

There was then a change in tempo and Steven came back to give a very moving account of William Himes solo 'Journey into Piece' Steven’s tone quality and musicality was there for all to see. 

The band then took the opportunity to show all who had come to listen lyrical brass band playing of the very highest caliber in 'Procession to Covenant', again by Bandmaster Himes. In Ian Robinson’s foot tapping arrangement of 'Soon and Very Soon' the audience heard the band’s solo trombone player, Thomas Hulten. 

Thomas is a Swedish Salvationist who has lived in Houston for the last ten years with his family and is very busy freelancing playing everything from Opera to Jazz. Thomas is also a former of the famous trombone ensemble 'Spiritual to the Bone'.

Another “special guest” for the evening was composer/arranger Stephen Bulla. 

Stephen is now in his third decade of service as Chief Arranger of “The Presidents Own” at the White House in Washington D.C. When putting the program together Jamie had asked Steven Mead if he would play Bulla’s solo 'Air N’ Variations'. When Steve accepted to play the solo Jamie then asked his good friend Mr. Bulla if he would like to conduct his solo. 

For the audience it was a great treat to have the finest euphonium player in the world being accompanied by such a great band and also being conducted by the composer. 'There Will be God' by Richard Philips brought Mead’s contribution to this wonderful concert to a close. Those in attendance had experienced one of the world’s best brass soloists on top form and showed their appreciation through prolonged applause and a standing ovation. 

The band then played the march 'The Red Shield' a la Enfield Citadel Band with the various sections of the band standing and finishing with the whole band on their feet.

After a word of thanks from The Houston Area Commander of The Salvation Army, Major Marshall Gesner the band brought this “Brass Spectacular” concert to a close by playing Professor Peter Graham’s 'Ad Optimum'. 

Those in attendance left knowing that they had experienced something very special. Apart from Christmas caroling outside the various supermarkets in the city, Houstonians don’t know much about SA brass music. 

They do now… It is hoped that this concert will become an annual event and that more and more people will become aware of the vast brass band repertoire The Salvation Army has to offer and be brought closer to God through it.

Jamie Hood

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