Concert: Wonderful evening with The ISB

Wonderful evening with The ISB
The International Staff Band
Conductor: Dr. Stephen Cobb
Regent Hall, London
Saturday 25 March 2017

The International Staff Band (ISB) used to open its new season with a weekend at Regent Hall, where the repertoire would be mainly new works presented for the first time. These days, with different demands and only one rehearsal a week, new items are introduced throughout the year, but there was still a buzz of anticipation for The ISB’s visit.

The one new piece heard was Martin Cordner's Pulse, the composer being present in the audience. Inspired by a worship meeting on the subject of integrity, it includes the melodies Refiner's Fire; Teach me to dance and Holy, holy, holy, together with an original 'integrity' theme.

Two classic works were included in the first half: Wilfred Heaton's Toccata was written for brass sextet, the composer later expanding it for full band with no percussion. Calling for great precision and control, this was a great reading. Eric Ball's Song of Courage was written for The International Staff Band to play at the Royal Albert Hall and was first heard on the evening when The New York Staff Band presented Erik Leidzen's None other name. In a week that had seen death and suffering on the streets of London, it seemed particularly appropriate and received a very convincing performance.

Carl Nielsen and Derick Kane played Wondrous Day and Some glad, sweet day respectively, both demonstrating their considerable technique and musicality. Having started the evening with the vibrant march Faith is the Victory, other items in the first half included Paul Sharman’s arrangement of All the World is waiting and Jesus, good above all others, a setting of the 14th Century hymn, Quem pastores.

When the band returned after the interval, it adopted a big band-style formation, dressed in polo shirts rather than tunics. The repertoire was lighter in character, the three percussionists taking turns on drum kit, which featured prominently.

About 50 young people had taken part in a workshop during the afternoon and, in addition to presenting their own programme at teatime, had joined The ISB for Southdown - a rousing ‘opener’ to the second half. Other highlights included Living Waters featuring Richard Woodrow on flugel, 007 Light, High over all and What a wonderful day, whilst a vocal octet made quite an impression with God's still the one. A wonderful evening of music making closed with Peter Graham's To boldly go, before Ray Farr’s take on Bach’s Toccata provided the perfect encore.

PETER BALE

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