Hadleigh Temple Guest Night

Hadleigh Temple Band
Conductor: Ken Hillson
Steven Mead & Nick Giles; Kerry Sampson and Nicholas Lester
Saturday 21st November

Some 70 or so brass players of various ages, ability and experience gathered at Hadleigh Temple for a master class as part of the much anticipated visit of Steven Mead. 

Working with such a mixed group is not an easy task, but there was something for everyone in the advice on breathing and articulation. Three bandsmen were brave enough to subject their solo playing to Steve’s scrutiny, Thomas Johnson on trombone ( “Get happy” ), Anthony Sommerville (the “Prelude” to one of the Bach cello suites) and Keith Johnston (Peter Graham’s “Time for peace”). 

There was also time for a brief look at “Belford’s Carnival March” and the end of “The Crimson Tide”, with its setting of the hymn tune “Melita”.

Lively opener

The evening concert opened in lively fashion with Richard Spicer’s bright march “Concord”, followed by the congregational song “Praise my soul” and a prayer, offered by Major Stuart Dicker. 

Peter Edwards, who had spent much time and effort arranging the evening, introduced the various guests, including the Chairman for the evening, Don Middleton, a former Bandmaster at Southend Citadel and a one-time bandsman at Hadleigh.

SA Classic

Steven had chosen two well-established Salvation Army solos to play with the band, slotting in a brief run-through after the master-class. “Song of the Brother” (Erik Leidzen) was published in 1939 having been written several years earlier. 

Based around the melody of the popular song “When you and I were young, Maggie” it proved an excellent illustration of the vocal approach Steven had put forward during the master class.

A touch of opera

Nicholas Lester and his wife Kerry Sampson originate from Southern Australia, but for some years now have been attending the Regent Hall Corps in London. 

Nicholas is currently on tour with Glyndbourne, and brought his acting as well as vocal skills to the aria “Largo al factotum” from “Il barbiere di Siviglia” (Rossini). He inhabited the role completely, making frequent eye contact with the audience and with facial expressions and gestures successfully conveying the humour of the writing, even if the words were not understood. 

He was accompanied by Hadleigh’s own Carl Carter, who was kept busy throughout the evening, as he was then called upon to play for Steven’s next solo.

A touch of romance

“Estrellita” by the Mexican composer Manuel Ponce means “Little star”, and Steven prefaced it with an account of how he had performed it to a Mexican baggage-handler who had approached him while he was practising on the roof of San Francisco Airport in between flights!

The melody of Noel Coward’s “I’ll see you again” (from the musical “Bitter Sweet”) is pretty familiar, but came to life in a special way as Kerry and Nicholas put in context by including the verse, vividly portraying the relationship between the singer and her teacher.

Spotlight on youth

The first half closed with Steven being joined by one of his pupils in Philip Sparke’s challenging “Two part Invention”. Nick Giles is no stranger to Hadleigh, where his grandmother worships, and he had several family members in support, although father Mark missed out, as he was playing elsewhere with the Virtuosi GUS Band. 

Nick, who is studying with Steven at the Royal Northern College of Music, was certainly not overawed by the occasion, producing a full, warm sound and more than holding his own in the technical passages.

From NYSB to HTB!

The end of the interval was heralded by the band playing the march “Hadleigh Camp” (Ray Steadman-Allen), written for the Salvation Army’s first UK music camp in 1947, with its somewhat poignant trio melody and vivid dynamic contrasts. 

This was followed by the same writer’s euphonium solo “The Ransomed Host”, Steven explaining that whilst at Boscombe they had several good euphonium players and this solo, often overlooked in favour of flashier offerings, was played by one of the others. 

He then caused the band and Bandmaster some last-minute nerves by explaining that he had last played it with the New York Staff Band, before producing a fine reading, that made much of the lyrical central section.

Singing and playing carried off with panache

Kerry and Nicholas then united for a second duet, “La ci darem la mano” from “Don Giovanni” (Mozart). Once again, their acting skills were to the fore as they depicted the salubrious Don’s attempts to seduce the shy and bashful Zerlina, who gradually succumbed to his charms.

Robin Dewhurst was asked to write “Panache” for the first UK Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Birmingham in 1993, and this song and dance solo gave Steven the opportunity to display a few more party tricks, including some ferocious lip trills at the upper end of the register.

Christmas is coming . . .

To introduce a Time for Reflection, Kerry Sampson, who is a member of the Salvation Army’s International Staff Songsters, presented a charming song by Jason Robert Brown entitled “Christmas Lullaby”. 

Taken from the small-scale musical “Songs for a New World” it brought the promise that, whatever ones lot on earth may be, “In the eyes of Heaven, my place is assured”. 

Band Sergeant John Ashcroft’s thoughts focussed on the real meaning of Christmas, and the band closed this period with Richard Phillips’ setting of “Who is he”, featuring the dulcet tones of Principal Cornet Keith Johnston.

Tour de force

Introducing his final item, “Heart in heart” – known as “Glorious Liberation” in its version with band accompaniment - Steven Mead commiserated with Carl for presenting him with one of Ivor Bosanko’s more fearsome piano parts. 

The technical challenges were overcome successfully, however, by both pianist and soloist, in what was something of a tour de force, with glissandi galore as well as some sublime legato playing.

Giving an expression of thanks, Retired Songster Leader Bram Chestney (no mean euphonium player himself, but helping out on the trombone section for the evening) commenced by referring to the empty seats in the hall, and saying what a good programme those who had stayed at home could have enjoyed had they chosen to brave the elements. 

The band then rounded off proceedings appropriately with William Himes’ setting of “The blessing”, featuring the song “Come thou fount of every blessing”. 

To cap a most successful weekend, Steven was able to stay over to take part in the Sunday morning worship, when he contributed “The Swan” (Saint-Saens arr Ray Steadman-Allen) and “The Old Rugged Cross”.

Peter Bale

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