New Beginnings

Posted by Melvyn James on Dec 20, 2013 in Band news | 0 comments

Under the new leadership of  Julian Bright,  the 2013-14 season was  met head on with a trio of rehearsals  in preparation for what has come to be known as “Hendon Night” .  This yearly event has established itself in the band’s diary with a near capacity audience yet again eager to hear and encourage the band in its endeavours. Guest soloists this year were Phillip McCann, cornet, David Daws, euphonium, and Julian Bright’s “other band”, the EverBlessed Youth Choir. Phillip delighted the crowd with some fine playing which included the much loved “Share my Yoke” and David reassured us that his new found affair with the Euphonium is no  flirtatious  diversion with a virtuostic rendition of  “The Better World” and later “Czardas”  with piano accompaniment.  David and Phillip later teamed up with a delightful duet based around  the theme “Lord With My All I Part”. The EverBlessed Choir exuded youthful vitality allied to a sincere motivation.  Click here to read Professor Stephen Maw’s report of the evening.

LCFB at Maldon Parish Church, October 2013

October saw the band participating in the Corps Anniversary celebrations at Maldon, Essex.  An appreciative congregation greeted the band in the Parish Church. Eric Ball’s “The Kingdom Triumphant” partnered more contemporary offerings typified by Dudley Bright’s “ Paean”. This was the band’s third visit over the past 15 years…the church dates back some 800 years!  How many before us have offered praise over the years, what an awesome thought.

As previously reported on this site, the LCFB is pleased to be involved with a new venture being championed at the Regent Hall in London’s Oxford Street.  Professor Stephen Maw of Trinity College of Music and life long associate of The Salvation Army is working on a new “Friday Bandstand” series of concerts featuring Salvation Army Music for brass band.  Following the successful inaugural concert in October by the Solent Fellowship Band, the November concert was presented by the LCFB with guest soloist David Daws who played Norman Bearcroft’s Solo for Euphonium and Band “The Better World”. Ray Bowes’  “Rhapsody for Cornet and Band” was also featured this time presented by the band’s principal cornet, Dave Thomas. The series has kicked off very successfully and further concerts are planned for the Spring of 2014. The band were greatly encouraged by the warm and responsive congregation which included 4barsrest reporter Peter Bale. Please click to read his encouraging report. Charlie Brighton also reported on the concert in SA Bandsman. You can read his review here.

Appointment of New Bandmaster

Posted by Melvyn James on Aug 5, 2013 in Band news | 0 comments

In reporting a Clarence Adoo Trust fundraising concert recently, the SA  Bandsmen commented,

Both David and Phillip (McCann) are of course ‘cornet legends’, but one of the most intriguing aspects of the evening was hearing David Daws under his new guise as a euphonium soloist. Following several years of injury problems with his lip, David decided to try a bigger mouthpiece, and the euphonium made sense as a destination. Performing ”Song of Triumph.”……it was apparent from the start that David has been able to transfer his golden sound and impeccable technique to his new instrument…….It was fantastic to see that David has  found a new outlet for his world class talents.

The LCFB has been thrilled to see and hear David fighting back over the past twelve months from what he himself described as “eight years in the gutter”. With these new and exciting developments David has concluded that his future lies in playing rather than conducting and it is with sadness and much understanding that his  resignation as bandmaster has been received.

The band are now looking forward to the leadership of Julian Bright. Julian is a much respected Salvationist at Peterborough Citadel where he and his family worship. Presently he is Songster Leader in addition to being principal cornet in the Citadel Band. He also leads Festival Brass and the EverBlessed Youth Choir.

The band’s Hendon Night on September 14th will include official recognition of Julian’s appointment. Guests include Phillip McCann (cornet) and the EverBlessed Youth Choir….and yes, David Daws (Euphonium).

2012-13 Season

Posted by Melvyn James on Jul 24, 2013 in Band news | 0 comments

As previously reported the season kicked off with concerts at Hendon, Leigh on Sea, Milton Keynes and for the second year an appearance at The Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 2013 saw further concerts at Newport Parish Church , Saffron Walden in February and East Bergholt Parish Church, Ipswich the following month. April witnessed a return visit to Bourne, Lincolnshire, this time playing in the Abbey. The Season closed with a long awaited visit to Leighton Buzzard Salvation Army in June.

An appreciative crowd greeted the band at Newport. Our regular soloists contributed including David Daws on Euphonium with Leidzen’s Song of the Brother. It was good to meet up with past member Bill Scott and his wife Gill, who both worship at the church. In the event  Bill was pleased to deputise on BBb bass, an added pleasure.

The band were delighted to have as guest conductor for the evening Nathan Cole. Nathan has until recently been a member of the International Staff Band percussion section and bandmaster of Bristol Easton SA Band.

The visit to East Bergholt will be remembered for some time for its wintry conditions. Persistent heavy snow showers over the South East had made travelling conditions  very challenging ,none the less a full band and an appreciative audience combined to make an inspiring evening of Praise….all this just some six hours before the onset of Palm Sunday!

Under the guest leadership of Julian Bright the band , in addition to some well established repertoire, presented a number of fresh pieces including The Torchbearers,( Eric Ball), Shine on Us, arranged  Andrew Mackereth,  Bill Himes’s Soli Deo Gloria, plus another Ball classic The Kingdom Triumphant.

Julian skilfully welded band and audience together in a united rendition of Rossini’s William Tell. (Are we forgiven, Mr Rossini !) After some words of reflection and a closing blessing, it was time to brave the outside elements and journey home …an adapted version of the christmas carol See Amid the Springtime Snow might have been appropriate!

The visit to Bourne was the band’s second concert in the support of the local Methodist Church. On this occasion it was a delight to enjoy the acoustics of the Abbey Church and be so well received.

The last concert of the season was at Leighton Buzzard Salvation Army Hall and proved to be a particularly uplifting time of Salvation Army music making. The local Singing Company supported the band, their singing and presentation was  joyous and  uplifting. The band featured its regular soloists and some new upbeat numbers from the pen of Kevin Larsson. Army of the Brave, (George Marshall) (Festival Series No.6)  and How D’ya Like Your Eggs in the Morning provided some interesting contrast.  James Anderson’s Song Setting The Sweetest Name I Know preluded some challenging thoughts from Band Sergeant Alan Garratt. Our gathering together concluded with Valiant Warriors from the pen of Ray Bowes.

As the evening progressed there was a buoyant feeling within the bands playing perhaps inspired by the awareness that after three years of leadership, this was David Daws’ last night with the band. But more news of that on the next posting.

Comings and Goings

Posted by Melvyn James on Jan 5, 2013 in Band news | 0 comments

2012 proved a year of changes, some good and some unfortunate.

We welcomed Major Graham Mizon as our new Executive Officer who also proved to be a very useful 1st Horn player. Only a few months later he and his wife were appointed to be the Corps Officers at the Regent Hall. We valued Graham’s brief presence with us and now we wish him and Dawn every blessing in their new ministry.

Resulting from Graham’s association with the band we have been pleased to have his son Tim playing with us from time to time. Now that father has moved on we are hopeful that Tim will still be able to continue playing 2nd Horn.

Over the years we have valued Roger Webber’s input on the back row of the cornets. We are sorry that circumstances have meant that he has had to leave us.

It has been good to have Bill Scott playing BBb Tuba these past twelve months. Unfortunately eye problems are making driving, particularly in the dark, rather difficult. It is therefore with regret that Bill has decided to leave the band. Your commitment has been appreciated Bill, and we wish you and Jill well for the future. We now welcome Roy Scott to take Bill’s place…no relation!

During the past few years we have come to appreciate the percussion input provided by Michael Scannell. Michael is no longer a blissful teenager and has now joined the RAF as a medic. We will miss you Michael, but wish you every success in your chosen career.

The past few months have seen Ken Stones and John Street indisposed with health problems, both requiring surgery. News so far is good and we look forward to their return to band duties in the new year. Following his health problems which precluded him being with the band for the Belfast trip, Howard Bowes is making a good recovery and is back with us again.  Derek Saunders is still recovering from ear surgery. We miss you Derek and pray for your recovery.

We were pleased to have Derek Yates back with us in a deputising role for the last few concerts of 2012. The even better news is that he is now rejoining us permanently on 2nd Horn.

Advancing to Advent

Posted by Melvyn James on Dec 5, 2012 in Band news | 0 comments

The last ten days of November became a very intensive time for the band, with concerts at Leigh on Sea Salvation Army, Lovat Fields Retirement Village Milton Keynes and finally the prestigious Birmingham Symphony Hall.

The Leigh on Sea concert was part of the Corp’s 110th  anniversary celebrations. An appreciative audience received such numbers as The Witness (Bill Himes),  The Firing Line (Bruce Broughton) and A Disney Fantasy (Goff Richards). Our regular soloists contributed including Dave Thomas (Cornet), Jim Rogers (Flugel), Phil Fisher (Horn), Andy Thomas (Trombone) and Caroline Seredynski (Piano).

It was a particular pleasure to have Anthony Smith as guest euphonium. His solo contribution, The Song of the Brother was well received ….Anthony leads a busy life as Solo Euphonium in Bristol Easton SA Band as well as playing baritone in The International Staff Band and helping the LCFB on occasions. Thank you Anthony! The band was delighted to have been asked to feature on the programme the festival march Leigh One Ten by Leigh’s deputy bandmaster Geoff Snell. A great march but perhaps a health hazard for short breathed tubas!

Band Sergeant Alan Garratt shared some reflections before the band presented David Catherwood’s song setting Come Home.

A great evening of praise and for the writer memories revived of past times in Leigh on Sea Band when it use to march to the openair meeting on Sunday mornings (contrary to Rules and Regs. I am told) and then sight read the Sunday night meeting selection at the open air.

A week later we were at the Lovat Fields Retirement Village in Milton Keynes for a Christmas Concert. This is now almost a permanent feature of the band’s diary, where have the twelve months gone since last we met? A very responsive audience greeted us in the meeting hall. Amongst the soloists featured was our own David Daws with the Euphonium Solo The Song of the Brother.

Interior of Birmingham Symphony Hall

A few days later saw the band at The Birmingham Symphony Hall where it had been invited for the second year to participated in the ExtraCare Charitable Trust Christmas Concert. In front of an audience approaching 2,000 it provided pre concert music in addition to some solo spots in the concert. In the theme of the concert, items included Opus 1, Be a Clown, A Disney Fantasy and A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square. Jim Rogers, (Flugel) and Dave Thomas (Cornet), contributed The Folks Who Live On The Hill and Chipeanacas respectively.

Image Source: Wikipedia

A Floral Dance at Abbots Langley

Posted by Melvyn James on Nov 23, 2012 in Band news | 0 comments

The closing curtain to the 2011-12 season was a return visit to the Abbots Langley Parish Church. It hardly seemed possible that two years had elapsed since our first concert in the church of St Lawrence. As before, the event coincided with the church’s flower festival.  It was good to see an almost full house which proved to be a warm and appreciative audience.

Although suffering from absenteeism due to the offset of the holiday season the band presented a varied programme featuring soloists, David Marley, cornet, with Terry Camsey’s Life’s Pageant, Ken Stones, Euphonium, with Mark Freeh’s arrangement of Valse . Brian Huke brought contrast with Bill Broughton’s arrangement of Now I Belong to Jesus with band accompaniment. Further soloists featured were Jim Rogers , Flugel Horn,  Caroline Seredynski, Piano and  Phil Fisher, Tenor Horn. Band titles included Bandology, Mini Fantasy on a London Theme, The Front Line, and Breezin Down Broadway.  A Time for Reflection presented by John Street followed a setting of the favourite hymn tune How Great Thou Art.