The Aylesford Priory is an incredible location, and our thanks to the 'Friars' for allowing us to use their facilities for our annual Summer Spectacular.   This year featuring our Band, with special quests Winton Songsters.

Photo's and Video by Colin Spice.

To open the evening, the Band performs a march, 'Fill the World with Music' a traditional Salvation Army piece, composed by Erik Silfverberg.

Following straight on from the Band, the Songsters from Winton form up on the steps to perfom their first piece of the evening, 'Alpha & Omega' (Robbie Trice, arr Russell Mauldin).

Bandmaster Kevin Ashman welcomed the crowd, and after sharing a prayer, invited them to join in singing a congregational song, 'Praise my Soul the King of Heaven' accompanied by the Band.

Songster Leader Lyndon Bexon introduced the next group of songs:

• He Loved Me (Doug Holck & Tom Fettke)
• Pie Jesu (Andrew Lloyd-Webber)
  • Soloists: Emily Smith & Pauline Bartlett
• The Rhythm of Life (Dorothy Fields/Cy Coleman)

The Band are next up again, this time a Euphonium Solo, Ransomed (George Marshall) with the solo being performed by Stuart Atkinson.

Well done to Stuart for not batting an eyelid when the music stand was knocked over by a sudden gust of wind, before being retrieved by John Boyd from the Cornet section.

The Songsters gathered again for the next couple of pieces:

• Jesus Paid it All (Elvina Hall / John Grape)
• Mighty Fortress (Martin Luther, arr Mark Hayes)

The Bands next piece: Air Varie: The Old Wells (Eric Ball)

Winton Songsters had planned to perform a piece entitled "The City of God" (Psalm 46 / Norman Bearcroft), but due to the blustery condition, Songster Leader Lyndon Bexon elected to change the programme slightly, in favour of "Total Praise".

There was an interval during which the Band and Songsters had a break to take refreshments and mingle with the crowd.

Maidstone Band assembled to start the second half of the programme, playing Shine Down (Smiley, Gersmehl & Farrell, arr Andrew Blyth)

As well as a Band and Songsters, Winton also have a Timbrel group, performing to Anthem of the Free (Dean Goffin), accompanied by the Band.

The Songsters form up again for their next couple of pieces, A Jubilant Song (Joseph Martin) and There's Never Been a Mountain (Niles Borop, John Rowsey & John Starnes)

The Bands next piece was a Horn Solo, featuring soloist Kevin Goodwin, with Rondo from Mozart Horn Concerto.

Songsters  -  In the Stillness (R. Woods / George Marshall)

Songsters  -  They Could Not (Sandi Patti)

Band  -  Variations on Laudate Dominum (Edward Gregson)

Songsters  -  Holy is He (David Clydesdale)

Songsters  -  Benediction: May it be (Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, Nicky & Roma Ryan)

Band  -  Sunset (Trad)

What a wonderfully uplifting time of shared worship and praise, praise the Lord indeed!

More than 250 people of all ages came together in the warm afternoon sunshine to listen, to watch, to join in worship and to share fellowship.

Maidstone Salvation Army Band and Songsters would like to thank the very special people from: St Andrew's (RC), St John the Baptist Smallhythe (Church of England), St Michael and all Angels (Church of England), St Mildred (Church of England),Tenterden Methodist Church and Zion Baptist Church
for all the time, effort and considerable hard work that went into making this such a wonderful and successful event. (And for the delicious tea that was provided – especially since they had produced Bandmaster Kevin’s favourite coffee and walnut cake!)

It was an incredible example of what God’s people can achieve when we all work for the common good, it mattered not where we worshiped but rather that the joy in the Lord just bounced off everyone as we took time to know each other – and to draw alongside others who had been attracted by all that was going on in the park this day.

To that end I thank God for the lady who stopped and shared a hymn with Louise and I whist out walking her dog, and for the mother and son who joined us for the singing for the final hymn – imagine if each of us who knows God just talked to one person, sharing a little of the joy and love that we feel then Praise in the Park would fill be the vehicle that our churches with the very people who it was designed to reach.

A full recording of the Band and Songsters is below:

Photos from Good Friday March of Witness and Open-air Service

Churches Together in Maidstone came together on Good Friday, marching in silent dignity from the Baptist Church in Knightrider Street, along to the bottom of, and up the Hgh Street, then along Week Street, where an open-air meeting was held, supported by the Band.

Following the open-air, a further service was hosted at the Salvation Army hall in Union Street.

Bandmaster - Kevin Ashman

Bandmaster Kevin Ashman is currently on Tour with the International Staff Band, visiting the Salvation Army's USA Western Territory.  The Band left on 26th March, for a packed schedule, to return on the 4th April.   In that time they will play at Tustin Ranch before moving on to Pasadena, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Oakland, Sacramento, Coeur D'Alene, Edmonds and Seattle.

You can keep track of the ISB's progress by checking their daily blog which also contains photo's on the ISB Tour website.