showpiece with tidy and secure accompaniment from the band. Following the concerto, David Childs played Alan Catherall's arrangement of George Swift's Elfriede (described by Stephen Cobb as “three minutes of fun”), during which he showed that he could reach the heights that others cannot reach!

Dr. Downie's arrangement of Joseph Parry's lovely melody, Myfanwy, and Dudley Bright's tribute to Ray Steadman-Allen, Fantasia on Glory to His Name, concluded the first half of the programme (the composers of all three of the original pieces mentioned above being present in the hall).

The community hymn, All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, opened the second half followed by Brian Hogg's lively Gigue - Alleluia Amen, in which the solo cornets, led by Philip Cobb, really showed off their abilities in this toccata for band. David Childs returned to give a jaw-dropping account of Pablo Sarasate's Ziguenerweisen, subsequently being joined by Philip Cobb in Paul Sharman's Battleground, in which both of these extraordinary young players demonstrated their formidable techniques. Between the band items in both halves of the concert the Territorial Youth Choir, directed by of Ira Thomas, showed that it was on the same high level as the band,

impressing with secure intonation and disciplined ensemble work, the high spot being a trio of girls who gave an spectacular rendering of Leonard Ballentine's When the Roll is Called Up Yonder. With opening and closing prayers by Major Stephen Gowler and a short Bible address by Major Diane Henderson, the evening came to a resounding close with Dean Jones's Glorifico Aeternum, which set the rafters ringing and sent us home with a spring in our step.

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Photo: Bandmaster Dr. Stephen Cobb with son Philip (left) and David Childs (right)