Civic Carol Concert

Friday 11th December 2009

The Band, resplendant in their red tunics marched in to a packed hall, and immediately launched into their first tune Gaudete (Traditional, Arr. Rodney Newton).

Bandmaster Kevin Ashman welcomed all to the evening, but in particular our guests, the Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Peter Parvin, and his wife Councillor Daphne Parvin, the teachers and children of the St John's School Choir, and Ashley Westfell from our chosen charity for the evening Whizz-kidz.

The congregation stood and sang as the Band played the first carol "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" before taking their seats.

The children of the St John's School Choir formed up on the stage, looking delightful in their bright red jumpers and matching Santa hats, performing their first string of carols:

• Away in a manger
• Rise Up Shepherds and Follow
• Once in Royal David's City (Soloist - Dowlais)
• Mary's Child (Soloist - Pragati)
• Recorder Solo (Samuel)
• Welcome the Christ Child
• Mince Pie Calypso

The Band then played for the next three congregational carols, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The Coventry Carol and While Shepherds Watched.

As if by magic, an elf (Lydia) appeared on the stage and started to read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" but was interrupted by an unexpected visitor!   Leaving his reindeer tied up on the roof, Santa Claus arrived, waving to all.

Santa greeted the children and produced a huge bag of sweets for them, then moved on to greet more of the crowd, shaking hands with the Mayor, the Corps officers Majors Janice and Grayson Williams and Ashley Westfell - wishing them all a Merry Christmas.   Being somewhat busy this time of the year, he left as the Band played the chorus of Jingle Bells.

The Band then prepared to play the next congregational carol "Ding Dong, Merrily on High", before Ashley Westfell took to the stage to give a brief overview of the work of the Whizz-kidz charity, providing bespoke customised mobility equipment, that help disabled children live as near to normal life as possible, giving them access to things they would find difficult or impossible in a normal wheelchair.

While the collection was taken, the Band played Carolcade (Trevor Davis) a clever arrangement of several well known Christmas tunes.    The collection was blessed with a short prayer, then the Band took up their instruments once more to play "The Proclamation of Christmas" (Stephen Bulla).

St John's School Choir took to the stage once more for their next collection of carols:

• The Song of the Winter Wind
• Candle in the Window
• Calypso Carol
• The Virgin Mary Has a Baby Boy
• Christmas Chopsticks
• Jingle Bell Rock
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas

The congregation delighted in the childrens performance and showed their appreciation of the work put in by the conductor Ann Lee and pianist Aileen Dixon.

The Maidstone Youth Fellowship group, (Louise, Lydia, Kristoffer, Jonathan, Nathan and Alisdair) then performed an excellent drama item, Advent: The Calendar - an interesting dialogue taking place between the different numbered doors on an Advent calendar.

Having had a rest, the congregation accompanied by pianist Stuart Atkinson, sang "The Sans Day Carol", followed by the Band playing for the next item "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Catching their breath, the Band readied to play the next tune, arranged by Leslie Condon, "The Manger Scene".

Major Grayson Williams then brought to the congregation the Christmas Message, playing a sort of radio "Top 10" run-down in 30 seconds. (Click Play below to listen)

The Mayor and Ashley Westfell were invited onto the stage for the announcement of the money raised in the collection, and presentation of the cheque, the total raised this evening was £1,021.08 for the Whizz-kidz charity.

The final congregational carol "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing", was  followed by the Bendiction.

The Band finished the evening with "The Spirit of Christmas" (Kenneth Cook) as the Mayor and his wife rose to leave the hall.

A fantastic evening - enjoyed by all.

Every year Maidstone Salvation Army Corps holds something traditionally known as 'Standing Day' where the Band works in teams to play continuous Christmas Carols from 9am to 5pm in the Town Centre, supported by teams of collectors, counters and the all important kitchen staff providing hot meals and drinks..  The money raised goes to the work of the Salvation Army. We're grateful to all those who gave, stopped to share in the carols and the conversations as we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth...

Christmas Carolling

The day was long but the weather was bright,
As the band played their instruments with all their might,
Many  Christmas shoppers just stood watching in awe,
Enjoying the many carols played from the Bands great store.

Along to the music many folks did join in and sing,
Thinking of mince pies, enjoying the laughter that children often bring,
Some talked of family and friends far away,
Others of sadness and losses along life’s way.

But all those stopped for a quiet word or two,
Heard the words from our members “may God bless you”,
Over this our town God’s blessing was spread,
As we pray many more to Him will be lead.

A time of great sharing, fellowship and love,
Was the gift the Lord gave us this day from heaven above,
May all those we met of God’s great love come to know,
As each time we step out in Faith we also do grow.

Following the retirement of CSM Major Wesley Dinsmore, his assistant, Bandsman Paul Deacon has been appointed as the new Corps Sergeant Major.

Congratulation as well to Bandsman Jeremy Davis, as he becomes ASM.

International Staff Band Visit

Maidstone Corps was the proud host of the International Staff Band (ISB) for the weekend 24th 25th October 2009. This wonderful weekend was kick started with a concert on the Saturday evening during which the sound of music filled the air to the Glory of God. The hall was packed as almost 300 people, including a contingent of delegates from The Salvation Army’s International College for Officers, came together to witness the beautiful gifts and talents that the gentlemen of the ISB had been given.

Bandmaster Dr. Stephen Cobb conducted with a mastery that was spellbinding, as he drew together the different sections of the Band’s musicians to combine in a beautiful array of music that included soloists from all sections of the Band beginning with Iain Parkhouse’s performance, a Baritone solo of “Ar Lan Y Mor “(a Welsh traditional piece). It was cornet soloist Kevin Ashman, playing “Golden Slipper’s without even looking at a piece of music, that amazed and delighted the audience. Derick Kane’s talent on the euphonium as he played “The Song of the Brother” was clear for all to hear. The first half of the programme concluded with a large scale work, Philip Wilby’s “Paganini Variations”.

The interval gave an opportunity for everyone to meet and chat with friends and colleagues and also with the members of the Band,
The second half of the program started with a congregational song, led by the Band, as once more beautiful music filled the hall. The evening still had more joy to behold as flugel horn soloist Richard Woodrow delighted the audience with a William Himes piece entitled “So Glad”. Eight Band members then came forward to form a vocal group, showing a further array of God-given talent to the delight of those assembled.

Lt.Colonel David Hinton, who is the ISB’s executive officer, opened God’s word and gave the assembled audience food for thought on the subject of “saints”; his use of personal stories, God’s word and his own obvious sincerity touched many hearts that night.

As the evening’s programme drew to a close, the audience were treated to a performance of a brand new piece of music entitled “Seize the Day”, which was written especially for the ISB by Peter Graham. This was only the second public performance of this lovely piece. The band brought the evening to a close with a classic old Salvation Army march entitled “Praise”, which concluded with the whole band on their feet facing the audience for the final phrase!

Sunday Morning saw the ISB leading worship to a congregation that packed the hall, as Corps members, family and friends all came to enjoy this rare treat.  As wonderful music and the multitude of voices all rose in one accord to praise God this day for all his blessings even the angels in Heaven could have been forgiven for stopping to listen!