*
banner

CD review: An Advent Journey

Boscombe Band of the Salvation Army
Conductor: Bandmaster Howard J. Evans
Narrator: Captain Jo Moir
Soloists: Craig Snell, John Starkes
SPS Recordings: SPS 443

This engaging festive CD from one of the Salvation Army’s most respected Corp bands is something of a liturgical prequel to ‘An Easter Tale’ which was released in 2018.

It follows the same structural format; in this case telling the story of the birth of Christ, from prophecy to incarnation, opening with a cleverly realised ‘Angel Trumpets’  prelude that acts somewhat like an operatic overture of the musical highlights to come. 

Clearly defined

Each track is followed by a short narrative passage taken from the Gospels, read by Captain Jo Moir (the previous release featured the Rev Richard Cole). It makes for a clearly defined advent journey; the listener led to Bethlehem with a cultured sense of musicality (and some wholesome singing) that underpins a series of fine arrangements and realisations from Richard Phillips, Andrew Mackereth, William Gordon and Ray Steadman Allen to Keith Wilkinson, Norman Bearcroft, Morten Lauridsen and Andrew Wainwright.  

The upbeat ‘Farandole’  and poignant ‘Coventry Carol’  lead to the ultimate incarnation of goodness and purity with ‘O Magnum Mysterium’  and the uplifting ‘Illuminate’. 

Recorded with a respectful ear to the acoustic and directed with fluidity by Howard J Evans - who also provides his own ‘Descendit Lux’  and ‘Away in a Manger’,  it is a mix of the magical and majestic, melancholic and joyful (none more so Handel’s ‘For unto us a child is born’  from ‘Messiah’  and ‘Joy to the World’).

Little tweaks

There are also a brace of measured lyrical solo leads from principal cornet Craig Snell on ‘Who is He?’  and John Starkes on ‘O Holy Night’  and some clever little tweaks to the familiar strains of ‘The First Nowell’  and a witty ‘Joyous Carillon’. 

The upbeat ‘Farandole’  and poignant ‘Coventry Carol’  lead to the ultimate incarnation of goodness and purity with ‘O Magnum Mysterium’  and the uplifting ‘Illuminate’. 

Iwan Fox


To purchase:
https://www.boscombebandsa.org.uk/discs/advent.shtml

https://www.worldofbrass.com/101878

https://wobplay.com/

Play list: 

1. Angel Trumpets (Richard Phillips)
2. Descendit Lux (Howard J. Evans)
3. Magnificat (Andrew Mackereth)
4. Gaudete (Trad. arr. Rodney Newton)
5. Who is he? (Hanby arr. Richard Phillips)
Soloist: Craig Snell
6. For unto us a child is born (Handel arr. William Gordon)
7. Away in a Manger (Tyrolean trad. arr. Howard J. Evans)
8. Joy to the World (Handel arr. Steadman-Allen)
9. O Holy Night (Adam arr. Keith Wilkinson)
Soloist: John Starkes
10. A Christmas Canon (William Gordon)
11. Joyous Carrillon (Norman Bearcroft)
12. Farandole (Bizet arr. Richard Phillips)
13. Coventry Carol (Norman Bearcroft)
14. O Magnum Mysterium (Morten Lauridsen arr. Len Ballantine)
15. Illuminate (Andrew Wainwright)

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Stephen Phillips

MA, BA (Homs), PQSI, NPQH, PGCE
Conductor, Band Trainer, Educator, Compere


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd