International Staff Band

Conductor: Dr Stephen Cobb
Warrington Citadel
Sunday 22nd February

In a year where the ISB has seen the success of “Together” the latest CD by the band, hitting the top 10 charts within the biggest music stores throughout the country, the standard was set for the band’s visit to the North West.
 
Warm welcome

The band is under the leadership of Bandmaster Dr Stephen Cobb, who is in his 15th year of holding the baton.  Alongside, Executive Officer Lieut-Colonel Trevor Davis leads the band as an “on-board” minister.
 
A warm welcome was given by all at Warrington Citadel with a caring word.  Warrington is one of the biggest Salvation Army Corps within the North West of England, but you always feel as if you are the most important person to walk through their doors.  

Wonderful venue

The hall is a wonderful band festival venue with wooden floors and a high wooden roof to carry the sound from any band that wishes to adapt to its surroundings.  The ISB did that wholeheartedly, and produced a clean and crisp performance.  It is always a pleasure to attend Warrington for both festivals and for Sunday worship, and I personally want to thank them for their warm welcome.
 
The band opened the afternoon festival with William Gordon’s Laudes Domini.  The whole band gelled immediately to deliver a secure and wholesome performance of this fanfare and chorale style piece.  The percussion section showed fantastic rudimentary flare.

Complete piece 

In the year of Peter Graham’s 50th, the band played what was described by BM Cobb as “the most complete piece he has ever written……” Shine as the light is about 13 years old and still has the sound of a modern day test piece.  The band handled this piece with ease showing particular sensitivity to Joy Webb’s Candle of the Lord.  

A well controlled finish from the bass and percussion sections.
 
Effortless

Deputy bandmaster Derick Kane and Jonathan Evans took on Norman Bearcroft’s Timepiece.  The piece written around My Grandfather’s Clock was tackled with vigour and passion.  Kane and Evans made this duet seem effortless.  

The band did its job by accompanying the band and allowed the two euphonium players to carry the sound - a duet well played by both. A little ad-lib by Stephen Moulton of Hendon and the ISB gave us all a smile – Well done Steve! (you had to be there)!
 
Fantastic number

Andrew Mackereth’s Dance like David was a fantastic little number which broke up the programme.  Percussionist Christopher House of Norwich Mile Cross and the ISB used this piece to showcase his solid kit playing skills. The piece wanted to keep moving along and Christopher under the leadership of BM Cobb kept this piece moving without letting it race away.  

The short kit feature in this piece was played well and was solid.
 
BM Cobb sang the praises of Ray Steadman Allen when introducing Starmaker.  The piece is dedicated to Ray’s wife Joy. Well into his 80’s Steadman Allen is still learning new techniques in writing.  This piece was without doubt, a fine example of how he can still write challenging pieces.  

Whipped

The opening movement could well be thought of as a championship section test piece.  The sound was whipped from one side to another bringing to the fore every section.  The middle movement displayed the beautiful hymn “Now the Day Is Over.”  As predicted by BM Cobb in his introductions, the movement left a warm feeling of the presence of God.  

The cornet section controlled the ending of the movement extremely well and left the hall in silence.  

The third and final movement held a celebration style feel to it.  With almost a dance style motif, the band brought the first half of the festival to a close with a fantastic quality.
 
Wonderful Day

The second half of the afternoon festival opened with Steven Ponsford’s march, Wonderful Day.  With references to Heaven Came Down and It’s Been a Wonderful Day, the band skipped along with this light march.  Well controlled by all with a nice steady pace.
 
As with most Sunday afternoon festivals, the congregation was given a chance to participate by singing Guide me O, Thou Great Jehovah.  The arrangement was very much up-beat, and the congregation sang their hearts out.
 
Kenneth Downie’s piece Gently Down the Stream of Time quietened down the hall in preparation for a reading and thought.  The piece written around the words “Saviour, Lead me, Lest I stray,” held a wonderful melody which was equally shared by the full band.  With sensitivity and passion, the arrangement of the old SA tune softly carried through the room.

Astounding

Eric Ball’s Triumph of Peace couldn’t be described as anything but astounding.  The ISB never fails to reach the deep and full sounds that the late Eric Ball penned.  This piece, written in the late 1930’s carried the tune to which the associated words are “Peace in our time O, Lord.”  

In a time where peace seems to be so far from the hearts of the world, the band managed with ease to portray the firm beliefs of the band and the members of the church.
 
The band, under the completely effortless leadership of BM Cobb demonstrated that the ISB is still one of the world’s premier brass bands.  
 
Return

Principal Cornet Kevin Ashman left the promise of return to Warrington.  The gauntlet was swiftly taken up and it was suggested that the band should return every 5 years.  Why every 5 years?  Why not more often?
 
BM Cobb announced that within the next few weeks, the band is laying down some tracks with The Black Dyke Band to produce a double CD to mark the 50th Birthday of Peter Graham.
 
The ISB have a very busy programme this year and are well worth going to see.  With dates scheduled around the UK, make sure you go to visit them, and sample the super-fine standard; a standard that never fails to impress, please and most of all, bless.

Railton Hirst

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