An Anchor for The Soul

On Saturday 8th October, St. Dunstans Church in Cranbrook was once again filled with the sound of brass music as the evening saw the band take to the stage for our annual fund-raising concert in aid of Demlza Hospice Care for Children.

While this year was not to feature a world-famous guest soloist, the band were still anticipating a large audience and had been practising hard in the lead up to the concert.
Despite some absences due to illness and work, rehearsals had been focused and saw many new pieces come together with some (very) old favourites added into the mix.
As usual Ian had selected a varied programme of past and present favourite pieces for the audience which would also feature a number of soloists, this year two pieces would also be duets.

The first duet was a repeat performance from last year’s concert where guest soloist Chris Thomas played the beautiful melody “Aristotle’s Air” and enthralled the audience with his mastery of the Trombone. No small task then for our own Solo Trombone player, Jonathan Vokes, who was so taken with the piece he wanted to give it a try himself. Ably accompanied by David Newsom on Euphonium, the piece was Johnathon’s first solo with the band and very well received by the audience.

Our second duet “An Anchor for The Soul” featured the bands Principal Cornet, Russel Kemp and Euphonium player Phil Godden, taking over the reins and giving David Newsom a rest.

Commissioned by The City of Hull Band for their 2019 Brass In Concert programme, this evocative cornet and euphonium duet pays tribute to the trawlermen who lost their lives in three tragedies that took place in early 1968.
The work comprises of two seafaring hymns, “Eternal Father Strong to Save” and “Nearer My God to Thee”.

Our performers gave a superbly moving rendition of this very beautiful piece and it proved to be the undoubted highlight of the concert for many.

After the interval, Ian took the baton for the Training band which gave a fine performance showing how well the youngsters are coming along. A rousing rendition of the Floral Dance finished their set before the main band came back to perform their second half, including a new solo from “veteran” soloist Alan Smithers with a very fine performance of Evergreen.

It was something of a family affair for Ian who was joined by his wife Sian, helping out on Cornet and eldest daughter Natasha, playing “tuned percussion”. Perhaps fittingly the concert finished with Natasha’s arrangement of “Into the Unknown” from Disney’s Frozen II. A lively piece and a firm favourite of many of the younger members of the audience.