Last Saturday the Band, under the leadership of Bandmaster Ray Maycock, gave its 8th concert at West Malling Baptist Church for the charity ROPE (Relief for Oppressed People Everywhere).

The evening began with the energetic ‘Joy in my heart’ followed by quite reflective presentation of the old hymn ‘What a friend (we have in Jesus)’.

The first solo item of the evening was a euphonium solo, ‘Brillante’, performed by Adrian Horwood, followed immediately by guest vocalist Lisa Davis who brought a varied balance with her beautiful singing of ‘O Danny Boy’ and ‘Roses of Picardy’.

 

Other Band numbers in the first half included ‘Joshua fit the battle’ and CEO Jeremy Hay (Rope) gave a short presentation about his charity and thanked all present for their ongoing support. Refreshments were enjoyed during the interval.

The remainder of the evening was spent reflecting upon this weekend of ‘Remembrance’. Items from the Band included ‘Songs from the Great War – Parts 1 and 2, each of which gave members of the audience an opportunity to ‘sing along’, as did an arrangement by Bandmaster Maycock of the old song ‘The end of the road’.

Lisa brought another fine song (My Tribute) and Steve Lenton gave a brilliant jazz version of the hymn ‘The old rugged cross’, before Major Nigel Schultz spoke about the work of The Salvation Army. He used a comparison between the numbers of military personnel lost during WW2 and those lost to the Kingdom of God saying that each ONE is important.

  

A time of silent remembrance was observed before the Band concluded with ‘At close of day’ which includes the hymn ‘The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended’ and ‘The Last Post’