The [bclink id=”962″ target=”_blank”] (Bandmaster Jonathan Corry) and the [bclink id=”1084″ target=”_blank”] (Songster Leader Dorothy Nancekievill) were the special guests for a “Festival of Thanksgiving” celebrating 100 years of “Service Above Self” by the Rotary Club of London. The concert was held on 28 September 2011 at Regent Hall.
Following an opening ceremony by the Rotary Club’s Sergeant at Arms, the concert began with a congregational song, “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”. The special guest musicians were presented by past president Ken Standish. The compère for the evening was Lt.-Colonel (R) Cyril Halstead, who serves as the Club Administrator. Throughout the evening, the band and the songsters alternated items.
First up was the band, who kicked things off with a march, Service Above Self (Ray Steadman-Allen), a reference to the Rotary motto. This was followed by the first item from the songsters, who presented Let All Things Praise (Words: Psalm 150, additions by Stephen Pearson; Music: Richard Phillips).
The next set by the band consisted of two items: Almighty (Roger Trigg) and Come, Beautiful Christ (arr. Richard Phillips). The songsters returned, also with a two-item set, which included The Power (Words: Andrae Crouch, adapted Priscilla Burgmayer; Music: Andrae Crouch/Rimsky-Korsakov, arr. Harold Burgmayer) and Lux Aurumque (Words: Edward Each, Latin trans. Charles Anthony Silvestri; Music: Eric Whitacre).
The next two items were in stark contrast. First, the band’s trombone section was featured in I Will Follow Him. This was followed by the songsters’ offering of Sir John Stainer’s exquisite and well-loved setting of John 3:16, God So Loved the World. The song was a fitting transition to a prayer of thanksgiving, offered by past president Commissioner Arthur Thompson.
The concert with the two groups alternating items, beginning with the band’s presentation of A Psalm of Praise (James Curnow). Other items from the band included Barrie Gott’s festival arrangement Light-Walk, the cornet solo Ave Verum (Edward Elgar, arr. Ralph Pearce) played by Maurice Patterson, and the euphonium solo Anthem from “Chess” (arr. Andrew Blyth) played by Paul Baker.
Items from the songsters included Laudate Dominum (Words: Psalm 117; Music: W. A. Mozart) featuring Kerry Sampson, Love, Grace and Power (Words: Stephen Pearson; Music: Andrew Blyth), My God Is a Rock (in a Weary Land) (arr. Daniel Kallman), and Overture to “The Magic Flute” (W. A. Mozart, arr. Ben Parry).
Following words of appreciation, a special rendition of “How Great Thou Art” was given, with the verses being sung by a baritone solo, a soprano solo, the full songster brigade, and the final verse by all in the hall. The songsters then presented the benediction, which was followed by the National Anthem. The band sent everyone home rejoicing with their signature march, The Red Shield (H. C. Goffin).
Source:
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