Friday Bandstand is a new series of concerts at Regent Hall devised by Stephen Maw.  

Bands are given an opportunity to present substantial Salvation Army repertoire, and are asked to include associated words on the programme.  

A retiring collection is taken to defray any costs, with the Rink coffee shop and other facilities available.

Presenting the first concert was the 35-strong Solent Fellowship Band from Hampshire, conducted by John Bird, one of a number of bands which have taken advantage of the relaxation in rules regarding Salvation Army music to broaden their membership.

In-house composer

They opened with ‘South Coast’ by their principal cornet, Martyn Thomas; producing a full, balanced sound, if lacking a little definition in the inside parts, although it was rather odd to use a single timp instead of the usual bass drum.  

Eric Ball’s ‘Begin the Day with God’ was followed by a congregational song, drawing some hearting singing from the hundred or so in the audience.  

In ‘Procession to Covenant’, the band’s horn section was heard to good effect, and there were some nicely graded crescendi.

Solo coming home

‘Silver Threads’ was written by Bert Twitchen, a former bandmaster at Regent Hall, so it was a fitting choice for Martyn Thomas to play.  A little tentative at first, the performance grew in stature, although one felt the band was slightly behind the soloist in the faster variations.

It was also good to hear the familiar melodies of ‘Constant Trust’, with sustained playing and sensitive use of rubato and expression.   

Two solos followed; Callam Carter on tenor horn playing the ‘Rondo’ from Mozart’s ‘Fourth Horn Concerto’, and Adrian Griffiths presenting the vocal item, ‘He Took My Place’.

Challenging music

Brian Bowen’s meditation, ‘My Comfort and Strength’ places considerable demands on the players, and under assistant conductor David Samuels they produced a convincing reading, responding well to the ebb and flow of the writing, and with powerful climaxes.  
George Marshall’s march, ‘Soldiers of Christ’ made for a toe-tapping end to the first half.

From the archives

After the interval, ‘Praise Party’ provided a contemporary touch, before another rousing song, ‘How Great Thou Art’.  

In keeping with the spirit of Friday Bandstand was the air-varie, ‘A Sunbeam’, dating from 1937 and described by the bandmaster as possibly the first ‘fun’ piece published for Salvation Army use.  

Based on the old Sunday school song, Philip Catelinet depicts various aspects of childhood experience, sometimes quite vividly.

Trombones to the fore

The band’s five trombonists were featured in ‘From that Sacred Hill’, although the backing cymbal seemed rather too intrusive, after which the band song ‘When Jesus looked o’er Galilee’ (with trombone backing) led into the scripture reading.   

Reflective moments

‘The Light of the World’ was given a thoughtful rendition, although one felt the dynamics were a little safe, and some quieter playing would have made more of the contrasts.  

Eric Ball’s setting of 'God be in my Head’ made for a fitting benediction, before the evening closed with the ‘Finale’ from ‘William Tell’

It was an excellent start to what it is hoped will be an interesting and successful venture.

Peter Bale