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Royal Oak Citadel 90th Anniversary Concert

Posted on 4 December 2013 by Webmaster

On the weekend of 10 – 13 October 2013, Royal Oak Citadel, Michigan, celebrated its 90th anniversary with a series of special events, including a gala concert featuring the Royal Oak Citadel Band (Bandmaster Greg Payton) and Songsters (Songster Leader Doug Holman). Special guests for the concert were well-known composers James Curnow and William Himes, along with Captain Sally Broughton.

The concert opened with thunderous applause as Bandmaster Payton and Songster Leader Holman were introduced and took their seats in the band on soprano cornet and bass trombone, respectively. The applause continued as James Curnow stepped to the podium and, with an impressive attack from timpanist Craig Beachum, led the band in his festival march Faith Is the Victory. This piece was originally written for the opening of the current Royal Oak Citadel building on Main Street, although, because of the composer’s educational commitments, it was not completed on time.

This was followed by a warm welcome from current Royal Oak Citadel corps officer Captain Peter Mount, who introduced the guests for the weekend: James and Marge Curnow, Captain Sally Broughton, Commissioners Barry and Sue Swanson, and William and Linda Himes. After the introductions, Bandmaster Payton led the band in Gowans and Larsson Overture (William Broughton), a delightful potpourri of melodies from the famous Salvation Army musicals by John Gowans and John Larsson.

The Gowans and Larsson melodies continued as Captain Broughton, on piano, gave a little variety show with the assistance of Ian McNeil and Major Heather Holman. Although this was a hard act to follow, the Songsters were up to the task. Their first set on the program opened with Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord, featuring tenor soloist Captain Terry Smith. The second song was a powerful anthem by Tom Fettke, entitled Exaltation.

Professor Curnow returned to the stage and, with the assistance of Commissioner Barry Swanson, presented an award for excellent service to an individual who taught countless musicians over the years (including James Curnow and William Himes) and left behind quite a legacy at Royal Oak Citadel, F. Maxwell “Max” Wood. Another surprise came from the guest composers: the world premiere performance of a piece they had co-written in honor of Max Wood, appropriately entitled Legacy. Both composers took part in conducting the premiere, Bandmaster Himes leading the first half and then trading off to Professor Curnow for the second half.

Captain Broughton returned to the piano, this time joined by Bandmaster Himes for a piano duet arrangement of Ray Ogg’s classic march Rousseau. This was followed by the second set from the Songsters, who were joined by Major Heather Holman as the featured soloist in the laid-back, jazzy selection Goin’ to the Holy City, accompanied by an ensemble with brass, bass guitar, piano and drum kit. This was followed by Captain Broughton leading the Songsters in He Arose. Beginning in an ominous, minor key for each verse, it changes character to an bright, upbeat presentation of the chorus, relaying the good news that “Christ arose a victor from the dark domain!”

Under the direction of Bandmaster Himes, the Band concluded the first half with his three-movement suite To the Chief Musician. This unique piece features, in addition to masterful brass writing, chanting and singing. Vocal solos were provided by Matt Coakley, Mark Gallup and Doug Holman.

The second half kicked off with Himes again conducting one of his own compositions, the festival march Milestone. The second half of the program was dedicated to a massed Alumni Band and Songsters. The Alumni Songsters started first, with Doug Holman conducting Adoration, Thanksgiving and Praise (Gavin Whitehouse). Bandmaster Himes then led them in Isaiah 40, his own a capella composition. The Alumni Songsters finished their portion under the direction of former Songster Leader Ian McNeil, who led them in another anthem by Tom Fettke, The Majesty and Glory of Your Name.

The Alumni Band then took the stage. Their first item was James Anderson’s ground-breaking march Goldcrest. In a surprise, Bandmaster Payton handed the baton to Max Wood for this performance. This was followed by Guardian of Our Way (James Curnow) and The Witness (William Himes), conducted by their respective composers.

After closing remarks from Captain Mount, Bandmaster Himes led the massed Band, massed Songsters and the congregation in the Salvation Army’s “national anthem”, O Boundless Salvation, culminating in a wall of sound. This was a thrilling and fitting conclusion to a wonderful festival of praise, music and worship.

Source:
Review by Fred Mbesi, posted on the TroyFred Productions web site

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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

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10 January 2019 06:05

Tune of the Week for 10 January 2019. Read more

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Ken Graham

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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

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Away In a Manger (Cornet Solo)

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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

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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
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