Brass and Voices was arranged to support the Hendon Building Fund, with Regent Hall, situated in the body of the auditorium, opening the evening with a choreographed presentation of ‘Trinity’ introducing the band section by section.

Following prayer and introductions, Hendon, seated on the platform, commenced their set with the lively march ‘Charlotte Celebration’, in a stylish reading which demonstrated remarkable control and discipline for such a large band. 

Exquisite

They went on to feature Principal Cornet Philip Cobb in two contrasting items: ‘Flourish’ was written for him by Regent Hall’s Paul Sharman as a Salvation Army equivalent of ‘Virtuosity’ - a quality which Philip displayed in abundance, before quietening the mood with the exquisite ‘Don’t Doubt Him Now’.

The band finished with Kenneth Downie’s ‘Variations on a Celestial Theme’, based on the old chorus ‘Bright Crowns’.  

After the opening thematic statement, the first variation featured sparkling semiquaver runs, before Nick Tiplady on flugel kicked off a dance-like section, with even the basses joining in, showing considerable agility.  

The band seemed to revel in the lush harmonies and contrasts in the writing, whilst the final climax, although reaching a high volume, was always well balanced and controlled. 

Exuberant

The Fountain of Praise Choir has featured on television with success, and their exuberant singing made for quite a contrast with the more regimented sounds of the brass.  

Their unfettered enthusiasm carried all before it, and put the occasional problems of balance and intonation in their accompaniment in the shade.  Standing in front of the band to sing, one felt they would have liked a little more space, to give full effect to the movement which accompanied their singing.

Their three pairs of songs included new interpretations of familiar hymns such as, ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ alongside original material, with their final item, ‘Itsokwadi’ (African Praise) taking the form of a call and response song that just grew and grew in intensity and joyful celebration.

Recent compositions 

Regent Hall began their solo slot with a brand new march from Paul Sharman, ‘Solid Rock’ very much in the style of James Curnow.  From there they went ‘down under’ with a swing-style setting of ‘I’ll Stand for Christ’ by the young Australian Sam Creamer, before presenting an extract from Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’.  

This latter was accompanied by appropriate scripture references, and drew out the opening notes of the hymn, ‘Our God Reigns’, which can be found in the music.

Combined ensembles

Two ensemble features were included, with eight solo cornets from the two bands joining together for ‘Fuego’, whilst the nine trombones let their hair down in Roger Trigg’s ‘Jericho’.  

A most enjoyable evening closed with fine readings of ‘The Light of the World’ (Regent Hall) and ‘Procession to Covenant’ (Hendon) before the two bands united in the classic march ‘Montreal Citadel’.

Peter Bale