In keeping with Enfield Citadel Band's desire in recent years of taking their music ministry ‘on the road’ in the Borough of Enfield and surrounding areas, they recently held their Annual Spring Festival at Enfield Baptist Church.

The event features young and aspiring Salvationist musicians and there was a great deal of anticipation this year as the featured soloist was the highly talented Thomas Fountain.

Kick off praise

Enfield kicked the evening off with Robert Redhead's 'A Fanfare of Praise' which is based around the hymn tune 'Ascalon',  before contrasting with an arrangement of 'Home on the Range' by former Bandmaster Richard Phillips, which has obviously been used by the SA with the title 'Come Beautiful Christ'.

James Williams MBE has been a stalwart of this band and the driving force of its success up until his retirement in 1998.

Bandmaster Jonathan Corry passed the baton to him for a Count Basie style arrangement by Broughton of called 'Deep River'.

Flamboyant

Thomas Fountain thrilled the audience with a flamboyant rendition of Peter Graham's 'Whirlwind', displaying faultless technique and a  fantastic sound, whilst also delivering a mature rendition of Craig Woodland's 'Don't Doubt Him Now' showing musicality far beyond his years.

Enfield Citadel Songsters were very enjoyable under their capable leader Tina Shepherd, and offered a welcome break from the sounds of brass. The songsters are a regular feature of the event and complimented the band well.

The first half of the evening closed with Ken Downie's large scale 'Purcell Variations' which was a real tour de force for the band. Downie is renowned for his great writing and here it enjoyed a fine rendition.

Gutsy

The second half commenced with Peter Graham's cossack based 'Dance before the Lord' (complete with gutsy cries of  Hoi! ) before the band launched into a march by Albert Jakeway entitled 'Rosehill', played with character and swagger.

A great performance of 'I Will Follow Him' displayed the strength of Enfield's excellent trombone section consisting of Andrew Justice, Ben Horton and Stuart Horton, before two contrasting items were performed by Enfield Songsters - including the serene setting of 'In Perfect Peace' which led into a thought from Major James Williams who stepped in to compere the event with wit and humour.

He took the opportunity to pay tribute to the former Executive Officer of Enfield Citadel Band - Lt. Col. Lincoln Parkhouse.

Artistry

Thomas Fountain then returned to play the flugel horn in the idyllic, 'Rusalka's Song to the Moon', played with fantastic artistry.

The final piece of the evening from the band was Peter Graham's 'The Last Amen', featuring four worship songs weaved together in a solid and rhythmically secure reading under Jonathan Corry.

In customary fashion, the band sent everyone away from a great evening of Christian music making with their signature march, 'The Red Shield'.

Graham White