This well presented concert, including donations received, raised the fantastic sum of £8,600 for a locally based organisation, the Second Chance Charity, which is at the forefront of caring for children who need special help. 

Fine style

The concert march, ‘South Coast’ by Martyn Thomas opened proceedings in fine style with contrast offered by the traditional Maori melody, ‘Hine e Hine’ featuring flugel horn soloist, Alex Manning.

Major Geoff Chape, the Corps Officer of Portsmouth Citadel Corps chaired the programme, which continued with ‘Procession to Covenant’ and the ‘Double Trumpet Concerto’ by Vivaldi, directed by assistant conductor David Samuels.

Solo euphonium Dan Redhead was the fine soloist in, ‘My Love is like a Red, Red Rose’ with further well delivered items of, ‘Treasures from Tchaikovsky’ arranged by Bramwell Coles, ‘Tritsch - Tratsch Polka’, ‘Round-Up’ by Martin Cordner, and the band song, ‘When Jesus looked o’er Galilee’.

Appeal

Following an appeal by Pastor Geoff Wood on behalf of the Second Chance Charity, the upbeat playing of ‘The Liberty Bell’ and ‘Come, Follow the Band’ were presented either side of the interval.

Included in a time of reflection were words of scripture and comment by Trevor Dawson (Assistant Band Sergeant) before the band played Dean Goffin’s meditation, ‘The Light of the World’.

Appreciation

Doug Hulme, Chief Executive and Founding Director of the Second Chance Charity offered moving words of appreciation both to the congregation and those not present who had made donations, reminding the congregation that the charity would use every penny raised in continuing with its mission. 

Following the energetic playing of ‘Radetsky March’, the band played as a benediction, the second section of Eric Ball’s suite, ‘The Pilgrim Way’.

Finally, Bandmaster John Bird concluded the concert with a foot tapping rendition of the ‘Finale’ from the ‘William Tell’ Overture.

Tony Unwin