The Household Troops Band

A large and appreciative audience drawn from a wide area gathered on Friday 11 November 2005 to share in the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the reforming of the band. Several were former "troopers", who joined with the present members for the concluding items. The various members of the band who introduced the items, shared their experiences of service in the band, and from this it became clear that the opportunity to perform in the open air and there to preach the Christian message is greatly valued.

The band was under the musical direction of Major John Mott and the spiritual leadership of Lt. Col. David Phillips, both of whom have held these responsibilities for the full 20 years now being celebrated. The band did not disappoint the expectant audience. The tone was set from the first item, when the cornet and trombone players marched into the hall with their distinctive (and oft criticised) headwear to perform Peter Graham's arrangement of"Olympic Fanfare". The high quality soloists included Carl Saunders (cornet) with "Song of Exultation", Keith Loxley (euphonium) with "How I love to sing", Martin Blessett with the violin concert favourite "Czardas", but performed on the tuba, and Andrew Piper (clarinet) with a very laid back rendition of William Himes's "So Glad!".

The major work of the evening was the Richard Phillips composition "Metamorphosis", the understanding and appreciation of which was aided by a multimedia presentation. Exceptional musicianship was also demonstrated in the performance of J S Bach's "Toccata in D Minor" arranged by Ray Farr. When joined by the former "troopers" the items included "Call of the Righteous" by Leslie Condon.

Messages of congratulation were read from Stephen Russell, a former member of the band, now in New Zealand, and Lt. Col. Norman Bearcroft from USA. Colonel Bearcroft had leadership responsibilities for Salvation Army music when the band was reformed in 1985, mainly from members of the Cobham Hall music school "A" Band.

The quality of the concert belied the fact that members of the band had travelled from all parts of the UK on a damp Friday evening to come together to present their music.

Their commitment and dedication, if ever in doubt, was epitomized by the fact that within less than 12 hours of the conclusion of this concert, they would be assembling to take their place in the Lord Mayor's Show in London.


Report by Patricia Bennett