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!