The Brass Crest
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About the Site
    • About the Webmaster
    • Statement of Faith
    • Five Steps to Eternal Life
  • Articles
    • News
    • New Releases
    • Event Announcements
    • Tune of the Week
  • Bands
  • Basics
    • Purpose
    • Types
    • Structure
    • Salvation Army Organization
  • Instruments
    • Generic Brass: Sound
    • Generic Brass: Parts
    • Brass Band Instrumentation
    • Cornet
    • Horn
    • Baritone
    • Trombone
    • Euphonium
    • Bass (Tuba)
    • Percussion
  • Links
    • General Brass Links
    • General Music Links
    • Other Sites
    • Salvation Army Bands
    • Salvation Army Music
    • Salvation Army Sites
    • Link Request
  • Resources
    • Two-Part Hymn Series
    • Errata Project
    • Tune Book Resources
      • Tune-to-Song Index (1987)
      • Tune-to-Song Index (1953)
      • Metrical Index of Songs (1987)
      • Metrical Index of Songs (1953)
  • Link Request
  • Submit an Article
Menu

Birmingham Citadel Band Celebrates 120

Posted on 6 October 2013 by Webmaster

500 people were at Adrian Boult Hall on 21 September 2013 to witness the celebration of the 120th anniversary of [bclink id=”953″ target=”_blank”] (Bandmaster Gavin Lamplough). Salvationist and world-renowned trumpet virtuoso Philip Cobb supported the band, playing four solos, three of which were composed especially for him.

The festival began with William Gordon’s triumphant arrangement Laudes Domini, associated with the words, “When morning gilds the skies, my heart awakening cries, may Jesus Christ be praised!”

Guardian of My Soul is a piece which has become extremely popular in Salvation Army circles. Written by Darren Shaw of Southsea Corps, it fuses together the composer’s own reflective melody with the old hymn tune “Aurelia”, using the words:

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking, in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will;
Oh speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.

Shaw wrote this music as a reflection of a period in his life when there was uncertainty in his physical health. The band complemented this with some beautiful playing.

The band’s next piece was a world premiere of Skydance. Written by Martin Cordner and especially commissioned for this event, this is the last work in Cordner’s “Eternity” trilogy which includes Escape Velocity and Fusion. The piece is written around the American folk tune “Simple Gifts”, associated with words written by Sydney Carter in 1963:

Dance then wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
And i’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

The exciting ending of the piece celebrates the energy and exuberance that the composer believes will be represented in eternity.

Philip Cobb, principal trumpet of the [bclink id=”1068″ target=”_blank”] presented Jubilance (William Himes). Published in 1994, this solo was originally composed for Peggy Thomas, principal cornet of the [bclink id=”939″ target=”_blank”]. The solo quickly became popular because of its exuberant, fast-paced nature. Melodies such as “Because of You” and “If You Want Joy” are skilfully crafted into one by the composer. The middle section gives all Christians a message, as John 5:1 says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy may remain within you, and that your joy may be full.” Cobb’s performance was exquisite and precise, showing off his professional talent.

The next piece of the evening, The Golden Pen, was written by Sheffield-born composer Wilfred Heaton. Although his music is now considered masterful, in the 1950s many believed that his ideas were too radical for the Salvation Army repertoire. After Heaton’s death in 2000, Paul Hindmarsh, a former member of Birmingham Citadel Band, found many unpublished works. A year later, the [bclink id=”1877″ target=”_blank” text=”Williams Fairey Band”] premiered The Golden Pen. The simple words, “I put my finger upon the Golden Pen to write my name up there” are associated with the timeless melody.

Philip Cobb returned for his second item of the night, Interlude, by film composer Andrew Pearce. Cobb’s latest recording, Songs from the Heart, demonstrates many genres of music, and this brief but charming solo was played faultlessly as a reminder of the immense lyrical skills he possesses.

The first half of the celebration came to a close with the band’s moving rendition of Eric Ball’s masterpiece, Resurgam. This epic work, originally performed as the test piece for the Belle Vue contest in 1950, is considered by many as one of the greatest compositions of all time for brass band. The work depicts a Christian’s life and walks through the struggles that they may face, perhaps reflecting the struggles in the composer’s own life after breaking with the Salvation Army in 1946. The end of the piece resolves from the conflict and establishes tranquility, with the associated words, “I shall rise again” – the promise of eternal life from God.

After the second half resumed with a congregational song and Fill the World with Glory (Kevin Larsson), Philip Cobb played another solo, Variations on a Wondrous Day, by former Birmingham Citadel bandsman Paul Sharman. This work is based on the solo Wondrous Day, composed by Erik Leidzén for Cobb’s grandfather, Roland Cobb. The new version is a modern twist on the classic solo, and Cobb’s world-class skills were highlighted throughout as he demonstrated his expertise on flügelhorn and piccolo trumpet as well as the standard trumpet.

The next two items celebrated the tenures of former Birmingham Citadel bandmasters. Wesley Kendrick, who led the band 1983 – 1997, conducted Reflections in Nature (Robert Redhead). This was followed by David Nicholson, who took over from Kendrick and served as bandmaster 1997 – 2006, took the band through He Is Exalted (Martin Cordner).

Philip Cobb rejoined the band for his final solo of the night, another work by Paul Sharman, entitled Flourish. The energetic solo defined Cobb’s bravura as he treated the crowd to his flawless technique and flair before leaving the stage to rapturous applause.

The life of another former Birmingham Citadel bandmaster, the late Graham Lamplough, was celebrated with another premiere work, Everlasting Hope (Paul Sharman). Lamplough devoted his life to the Salvation Army before his death in 2011, and his favorite words, “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,” are perfectly depicted in this peaceful setting. These words kept Lamplough’s faith strong during his brave battle against illness and were a perfect solace for him as he met his maker in Heaven.

Peter Graham is a well-known name in both the Salvation Army and the wider brass band world. The band’s final piece of the night, Renaissance, is a sequel to Graham’s ground-breaking Shine As the Light. Joy Webb’s song “Come into Our World” is heavily featured throughout the piece and the band delivered an assured performance. As the night drew to a close, the concert finished in the same triumphant way that it started, with a passion of praise – “My heart awakening cries, may Jesus Christ be praised!”

Source:
[bclink id=”953″ target=”_blank”] web site, original report by Oliver Ridley, Sheffield Citadel Band

Tags: Adrian Boult HallanniversaryBirminghamBirmingham Citadel BandconcertDavid NicholsonGavin LamploughGraham LamploughPhilip CobbRoland CobbWesley Kendrick
Category: News

Connect with the Brass Crest

Link to our Facebook Page
Link to our Twitter Page
Link to our Youtube Page
Link to our Rss Page

Recent Articles

  • Two-Part Hymn Series: Ten More Tunes
  • STANDING ON THE PROMISES (Tune of the Week)
  • Staff Band Marks Passing of Ken Graham (1936–2018)
  • Joyful & Triumphant
  • NICAEA (Tune of the Week)
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Articles

Two-Part Hymn Series: Ten More Tunes

1 June 2019 14:24

The latest set of ten tunes in our Two-Part Hymn Series has been released. There are now 90 tunes available in the second phase, and 210 overall. Read more

Posted in: New Releases, Sheet Music

STANDING ON THE PROMISES (Tune of the Week)

10 January 2019 06:05

Tune of the Week for 10 January 2019. Read more

Posted in: Tune of the Week
Ken Graham

Staff Band Marks Passing of Ken Graham (1936–2018)

9 January 2019 06:36

The Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam) has announced, with great sadness, the passing of Bandsman Ken Graham (North York Temple) on 24 December 2018. Graham was a member of the Staff Band cornet section for nine years, 1985–1994. Read more

Posted in: News

Joyful & Triumphant

8 January 2019 06:40

On 1 December 2018, the National Capital Band (Bandmaster Dr. Steve Kellner) was at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia, for Joyful & Triumphant, a Christmas concert and carol sing-a-long. Read more

Posted in: News

NICAEA (Tune of the Week)

3 January 2019 07:23

This is the first of a new series, Tune of the Week, featuring tunes from our Two-Part Hymn Series. Read more

Posted in: Tune of the Week

Two-Part Hymn Series Reaches 200

29 December 2018 10:57

The latest set of ten tunes in our has been released. This brings the total number of tunes in the series to 200. All of these tunes are free to download and use. Read more

Posted in: New Releases, Sheet Music

Away In a Manger (Cornet Solo)

19 December 2018 05:40

James Allen has crafted a beautiful and simple cornet solo that blends together two familiar tunes associated with the much-loved Christmas carol. Read more

Posted in: New Releases, Sheet Music
The New York Staff Band at historic Faneuil Hall, Boston, Massachusetts, November 2018

NYSB Massachusetts Ministry Weekend

19 December 2018 05:23

On the weekend of 16 – 18 November 2018, the New York Staff Band (Bandmaster Derek Lance) traveled to the Massachusetts Division for a ministry weekend that included stops in Worcester, Canton, Boston, and Brockton. Massachusetts Divisional Music Director (DMD) Matthew Luhn and his team organized the events of the weekend. Read more

Posted in: News

Brass for GOSH Launched

3 December 2018 05:17

The London Central Fellowship Band (Bandmaster David Rudd) launched their latest recording with a concert at Regent Hall on 17 November 2018. Just under 300 people were in attendance for a fantastic night of music-making, raising funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity. All of the profits realized by Citadel Promotions, the producers, will benefit the hospital charity, leading to the title of the recording, Brass for GOSH. Read more

Posted in: New Releases, News, Recording
Kintambo Band at the 10th anniversary service for the Plateau District, eastern Kinshasa

Kintambo Band Supports Anniversary Service

1 December 2018 08:32

On Sunday, 28 October 2018, the Kintambo Band (Bandmaster Henri Makanda Nkodia) had the privilege of being on duty at the Menkao Post in the Plateau District (the eastern part of the city of Kinshasa) for the district’s tenth anniversary Thanksgiving service. Read more

Posted in: News
©2023 The Brass Crest