The Salvation Army’s annual Gospel Arts Concert took place this year in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, the International Staff Band getting the evening off to a rousing start with Paul Sharman’s 'My Lord and King'.
Boscombe Band, under the leadership of Dr Howard Evans, followed with the 'Dies Irae' from the Verdi 'Requiem', marked by attention to detail, from the descending runs throughout the band, through the controlled fanfares from the back row cornets to some sparkling soprano trills.
Variety
The International Staff Songster’s 'Father, Creator' led nicely into the prayer, brought by Bandmaster Andrew Blyth.
They continued with two items in contrast, John Rutter’s 'Choral Fanfare' highlighting each section of the choir in turn, and the more contemporary 'In the Name of the Lord', driven forward by their backing trio, but with some telling unaccompanied singing.
Boscombe’s second contribution was 'The Last Amen', was nicely balanced, and with a good feel for the syncopation. It was particularly good to see euphonium player John Starke playing following a very recent heart scare, with David Daws sitting in as bumper-up as they even managed to get the audience to join in with the clapping section, before raising the roof with the closing 'Amen'.
Songs from the shows
Several Gowans and Larsson songs were included, arranged in big band style by Kevin Larsson.
The fifteen singers were all individually miked, solo and ensemble lines coming across clearly, ably backed by 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and rhythm section, without the balance problems that adversely affected last year’s Regent Hall event.
Euphoniums par excellence
Twelve of The Salvation Army’s leading euphonium players came together under the leadership of Derick Kane, opening with 'Under Two Flags'. Peter Graham’s 'Bravura', from which they drew their name, originally featured four players but was expanded, with numerous references to additional Salvation Army solos in the cadenza.
Eric Ball classic
The ISB closed the first half with 'Journey Into Freedom', Commissioner Clive Adams highlighting the spiritual programme behind this well-loved test piece. It was a spacious rendition, full of contrast, with notable contributions from Gary Fountain’s subtle soprano and Carl Woodman on bass.
Charlie Green from Droitwich Corps, a talent competition veteran, led the singing of 'Lord I Lift your Name on High', before another group of Gowans and Larsson songs, including Gary Rose’s version of 'Down the Street', pitching him against a particularly raucous Dixieland-style trombonist.
More euphonic sounds
The ISB then played Martin Cordner’s 'The Adventurers', in a revised version with a more pared down accompaniment to Derick Kane’s central solo passage.
The euphoniums returned with 'Swedish Hymn', producing a lush sound which expanded from a solo line. They were then flanked by six drummers for the invigorating finale from 'Gaelforce'.
Richard Phillips’ four-movement 'Choral Symphony' comprised two lively outer sections and two more reflective inner ones, the lilting barcarole of 'Aspiration' being especially appealing. Two well-known hymns were featured, 'Holy, Holy, Holy' and 'Glorify your Name', in what is likely to prove a popular item with more advanced choral groups.
Rousing finale
Commissioner Adams brought a clear and succinct message, speaking of God bridging the apparently irreconcilable gap between God’s glory and man’s sinfulness.
A most enjoyable evening then ended with a rousing new arrangement by Andrew Mackereth of 'll Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name'.
Peter Bale
