ISB 120 starts with Cadogan Hall Festival

The epic events of the ISB 120 celebrations got off to a memorable start last Friday evening (3rd) at London’s Cadogan Hall, where a capacity audience had gathered to witness the performances of the International Staff Band (ISB) and one of its special guests for the weekend, the New York Staff Band (NYSB).
Never having previously attended a major Salvation Army festival and thus not really knowing what to expect other than the advertised program of music, it was with a completely open mind that this listener approached the highly suitable venue in the fashionable Sloane Square, to be met outside by a cosmopolitan throng of enthusiasm and anticipation. A celebration of The
Salvation Army’s flagship band’s 120th anniversary it may have been, but the prospect of all eight of the SA’s staff bands performing together for the first time the following day had apparently become a ‘magnet’ that had pulled Salvationists from all over the world to the capital.
Inside, we were met by the sight of the two bands sitting side-by-side on the platform (they formed into a single massed band for the second half) and among the highlights were the incisive sounds of the NYSB in Stephen Bulla’s march,” Diamond Jubilee”, a feature of the band’s playing that was to make a considerable impact over the weekend. The music of Paul Sharman was very much to the fore and the ISB’s performances of “Exultate Deo”, Time to be Holy and Soul-full (featuring Richard Woodrow on flugel horn) all made a great impression on the gathering, as did Derick Kane’s characterful reading of Norman Bearcroft’s “The Better World”.

The show-stopping moment came courtesy of Bob Jones, drum soloist of the NYSB, who showed that it is possible to play an extended drum break in Mark Freeh’s familiar arrangement of Ol’ Man River while taking one’s jacket off at the same time! He made it all look and sound so easy too.
We also heard two major works by Kenneth Downie which were receiving their first airing, “Transformation “(ISB) and The” Hope of Glory” (NYSB), the latter of which closed the first half. Taken in isolation, each of them fitted the bill perfectly, but a number of people did comment at the interval that inclusion of both may just have been one piece too many. I didn’t disagree.
Some members of the audience weren’t quite ready for the start of the second half, but the explosion of sound that heralded Erik Leidzén’s “The Invincible Army”, certainly caught their attention. Another work that brought the house down was Dean Goffin’s excellent “Symphony of Thanksgiving”, which was performed with great transparency by the two bands.
It was rather striking, in fact, that the more traditional works on the entire program were not only better performed by the bands, but they were also received more warmly by those listening.

As well as Dr. Stephen Cobb and NYSB Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris, we were also to be treated to conducting performances from Brian Bowen and Peter Graham in their own “Consecration” and “Shine as the Light” respectively, the latter closing the published part of the program in terrific style. Both have made significant contributions to the music of The Salvation Army in recent decades
and it was good to see this being recognized in such a way.

However, there was one everlasting treat for the Cadogan Hall audience, as retired NYSB Bandmaster Derek Smith took to the stage to lead the massed bands in Donald Osgood’s stirring march, “Motondo”. Such was the impression made that there were groups singing it on the District Line as we headed back to our hotel in Kensington. I had never heard it before that night, but I almost
joined in!

BB Editor, Kenneth Crookston, reports from the opening concert
of ISB 120 by the International and New York staff bands.