Expressions

Regent Hall Band & Regent Hall Songsters
Conductors: Stephen Hanover & Major John Martin
Soloists: Dudley Bright, Paul Sharman, Darren Bartlett
Regent Hall, London
Thursday 15th October

Brass Arts Festival 2009 commenced as usual with the “Expressions” night arranged by the Regent Hall corps, this year featuring two of their own bandsmen as soloists, together with noted vocalist Darren Bartlett from Boscombe. 

A trombone quintet provided a selection of music in the foyer as people arrived, and the hall was set out with tables and chairs cabaret style.

Opening Expressions

Dudley Bright had been asked to write something that would make use of the special possibilities offered by the hall, and “From East and West” certainly fitted the bill. Featuring Dudley as soloist, it also incorporated small groups of players scattered around the four corners of the gallery, with off-stage trumpeters opening, followed by cornets and the trombone section, who were joined by percussion. 

The songsters recited scriptural references to people being drawn from the east and the west, the music incorporating John Larsson’s setting of the text from the musical “The Blood of the Lamb”. The trombone playing displayed considerable virtuosity, and the soloist interacted effectively with the various groups, together with the remainder of the band on the platform.

Darren Bartlett’s contributions were drawn from various musicals, commencing with “Close every door” from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (Lloyd Webber). Dressed in black and seated on the steps at the side of the platform, he was joined by the songsters and band. After some insecure intonation at the start, things settled down well, although the accompaniment was a little heavy at times.

Past Expressions

Major John Martin was unable to present due to another commitment, so Regent Hall Songsters were ably led by their Deputy Songster Leader, Mark Walton. With reference to the test piece set for the forthcoming band contest, they opened with Eric Balls anthem “Torchbearers”, the words appearing on the screens, together with early film of Salvationists on the march. 

They produced a well-balanced sound, with clear sopranos and a strong bass line, particularly in the chorus with its repeated figure “Out there”. This was followed by Len Ballantine’s “Sabbath Song”, with some excellent unison singing blossoming out into harmony from both male and female voices.

Personal Expressions

Paul Sharman is Principal Cornet at Regent Hall, as well as being the Young People’s Band Leader, and he gave a splendid rendition of Brian Bowen’s tricky solo “Flashback”, with a bight, clear tone, scintillating runs and an impressive cadenza. Darren Bartlett then gave a beautifully controlled performance of “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables”, supported by some very sensitive piano playing, before Dudley Bright brought some words of personal testimony. 

This section ended with Paul Sharman once more, as he played a setting of “My tribute”, accompanied by piano and band. The flugel was slightly sharp in the opening section, but Paul corrected this as soon as the opportunity arose, before switching to trumpet for the closing verses.

Contrasting Expressions

The relaxed style of Len Ballantine’s “Closer than” from the songsters was enhanced by some tasteful percussion, with the high tenor line ringing out clearly, whilst John Martin’s own setting of “Glory filled my soul” featured some impressive solo singing. 

Dudley had previously acknowledged the presence of Maisie Wiggins, the dedicatee of Erik Leidzen’s challenging solo “Concertino for Band and Trombone”. As the title indicates, it is a work that relies as much on the band as on the soloist for a successful performance, and the players produced a rendition full of subtlety and refinement, with a commanding reading from the soloist. It was also helpful to have the words of the featured song on the screen.

“Expressions” normally includes an element of humour at some point, and it came in the form of Andrew Mackereth’s “Dance like David”. Featuring the chorus of that name, it was originally entitled SPA, having been written for a Salvation Army School for Performing Arts, the music making reference to the television show “Fame”. 

This brisk up-tempo number was complemented by flashing lights and dance moves provided by four young people, who were then joined by four band members, (including the bandmaster!) also dressed in baseball caps, who attempted to copy their movements, with very mixed and often hilarious results!

Thoughtful Expressions

In a rather abrupt change of mood, and with slivers of paper still descending to the ground, the emotional and spiritual heart of the programme was provided by Darren Bartlett and his presentation of “Gethsemane” from “Jesus Christ, Superstar” (Lloyd Webber). 

Wearing his Salvation Army uniform, and backed by piano, band and songsters, he vividly portrayed the agony of Christ as he prepared for his forthcoming sacrifice. The technicians, who did not put a foot wrong all evening, got the balance just right, in that one felt he was having to force his way through, without ever being overwhelmed by the backing. 

Following Major Ray Brown’s scripture reading and thoughts, the band played Goff Richards’ arrangement of “I’ll walk with God” before Darren, dressed once more in black, closed this section with “You raise me up”, sung to a Celtic-influenced cd accompaniment.

Final Expressions

The band’s finale for the evening was Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s “Vitae Aeternum”, with the assistance of some incisive timpani playing by Darren’s accompanist! Images on the screen depicted the coming of light, together with scripture and the texts of the songs used. 

It was a reading full of contrasts, with a well-balanced muted presentation of “His provision” and the fugato section taken at a cracking pace. Trombones and cornets turned outwards in a blaze of sound towards the end as the screen showed the words of John 3:16.

A song by Graham Hardwick provided the benediction: “When all is said and done” featured Darren Bartlett as soloist, sitting Val Doonican style on a stool in the middle of the arena, with the songsters ranged around the sides of the gallery, as “St Theresa” came in as a counter-melody, with the confident affirmation “Alone, God sufficeth”.

To send the audience out with their feet tapping, the band finished up with Erik Silfverberg swing style setting of “The Pearl”, with stand-up solos from Paul Sharman and Dudley Bright. 

Thus ended possibly the most successful “Expressions” evening to date, an innovative presentation flowing through smoothly with excellent contributions from all the participants, not least the two hard-working (and un-named) accompanists.

Peter Bale

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