‘Faith is the Victory’ got Enfield's pre-contest festival off to a cracking start, which was followed by ‘Consecration Hymn’, in which Bandmaster Jonathan Corry keeping the music flowing with effective rises and falls.

Heaton realisation

Compere Paul Hindmarsh was the ideal person to introduce ‘The Golden Pen’, as it is one of the pieces he rescued from obscurity following the death of Wilfred Heaton. 

The band made out a very good case for this rather quirky fantasia, with its snatches of melody moving round the band.

Featured soloist David Childs was on sublime form with his transcription of ‘Believe Me if all Those Endearing Young Charms’, played with an effortless fluency and musicality – even if the technical wizardry on display was almost unbelievable.
 
Tribute

‘In Perfect Peace’ was played in memory of Lt Col Lincoln Parkhouse, a spoken tribute being given by Andrew Justice, whilst David continued in similar reflective vein with the sublime ‘Lament’ from the Karl Jenkins ‘Stabat Mater’.

Impressive Partita

The first half closed with Kevin Norbury’s ‘Partita on St Theodulph’, with its three sections, played with contrast and considerable musical care.

‘Just a Closer Walk with God’ was used to summon the audience back for the second half, commencing with Malcolm Hynd on flugel as part of a small ensemble, and finishing with the whole band in full flow, complete with a rip-roaring solo from Andrew Justice.

The well-balanced trombone section was to the fore in ‘Fanfare of Praise’: based on the crusaders' hymn ‘Ascalon’, it developed neatly from the sedate opening to the up-tempo finale.

Premiere performances

Martyn Thomas' march ‘Full Bloom’ received its premiere performance.

Using the tune ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Lily of the Valley’ and described as being in traditional style, it nevertheless had plenty of original touches, both rhythmically and melodically.

The second premiere was Dan Price's ‘On Winter Hill’, written for David Childs. 

Against a largely chordal accompaniment, punctuated by triangle and glockenspiel, the lyrical solo showcased the soloists superb control and innate musicality

Classic

Following a brisk romp through Peter Graham's ‘Dance Before the Lord’, David Childs returned to present ‘Song of the Brother’, which he has recently recorded with Leyland Band in aid of the Clarence Adoo Trust.

David was thrilled to have BM James Williams, MBE, conduct the item, and produced a first-rate performance, and not even the purists in the audience seemed to begrudge him the indulgence of a top G to finish. 

There were certainly plenty more high notes to relish in his encore, ‘The Hot Canary’.

Finale

General Shaw Clifton shared some poignant thoughts before the band's rendition of ‘Wonderful Healer’. 

The programme closed with ‘Shine as the Light', with fine ensemble work from the band and solos from Maurice Patterson and Paul Baker on cornet and euphonium respectively.

All that remained was the band's customary encore of ‘The Red Shield’, performed with due panache and attention to detail.

Peter Bale