Enfield Citadel Band

Bandmaster: Andrew Blyth
Warrington Citadel Corps of The Salvation Army
Saturday 9th February

For this enjoyable concert the band opened with Dean Goffin’s ‘Crusaders’ that featured a very steady tempi with a full and balanced sound from the whole band.  

The applause hadn't stopped before Enfield led into Kenyon’s arrangement of Webb's ‘Candle Of The Lord’.  As with most SA festivals it was a lovely piece of music to quieten everyone for the opening prayer.
 
In contrast Hanson’s ‘Folk Dances’ ripped through the wonderful wooden roofed building.  With such a piece that has a temptation to run away, it remained under the firm control of Andrew Blyth, with fine control from the percussion and bass sections in particular.
 
‘Clear Skies’ by Eric Ball brought forward the first soloist of the evening.  Maurice Patterson who sits 2nd man delivered a solid performance of this tricky cornet solo with a full and pleasant sound during the middle sections.  The Band then moved into ‘Valero’ arranged by Smith which proved to be a lively filler between solo items.
 
ISB Principal Trombone Andrew Justice delivered an excellent ‘Cavatine’ arranged by Enfield's Bandmaster Andrew Blyth.  His sound always seems to dominate but not over power any band and it was a performance of the highest class.
 
The band brought the first half of the festival to a close with Goffins' ‘Symphony of Thanksgiving’.  The middle sections of the band seemed to shine through this piece and it was obvious, as the interval approached, that we were going to be begging for more.
 
‘Star Lake’ led by Nick Samuel opened the second half with a small group of young bandsmen playing this spirited march with so much character.  You would not have guessed there was only seven performers on the platform and it  is always wonderful to see good players coming up through the ranks of the young peoples bands of The Salvation Army.
 
The main band then re-assembled for ‘Pastime with Good Company’ that once again was upbeat and full of good quality work from the percussion section and soprano. Meanwhile, Keith Loxley stood proud with ‘Euphonium Fantasia’ and delivered the most heart warming performance of the whole evening. 
 
The Band then adopted a swing mode for ‘Go Down Moses’, written for the ISB well over a decade ago now. Once again it was almost perfectly brought off with some fine flugel horn playing a real feature.
 
‘Quicksilver’ by Peter Graham brought to the stage Ralph Brill from The Welsh Guards and Tim Hynd from the Band of The Royal Air Force.  The cornet duet is rapid from start to finish and is a real rollercoaster for both the band and the audience, and the piece was delivered with authentic quicksilver playing too from a pair of top class soloists.
 
In contrast came Steadman-Allen's ‘Trombone Vespers’.  The four part trombone section gelled very well to deliver this lovely piece, with the technical sections allied neatly by a well balanced band.
 
The bible reading was followed by Richards' ‘I'll Walk With God’ before a performance of  ‘Turris Fortissima’.  The piece showcases almost every section of the band and Enfield played this new work in excellent style.   It really was a superb performance and one that depicted the commitment that can only be found within the bands of The Salvation Army.
 
As always Enfield finished with ‘The Red Shield’  complete with each section rising to its feet and Andrew Blyth raising both arms to bring the festival to a close.
 
It rounded off an excellent programme of both secular and SA music and a wonderful evening of music.
 
Railton Hirst
Bolton South SA

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