5th Annual Spring Festival in Baltimore

On 2 May 2004, at the Heritage Church in Severn, Maryland, the Baltimore Brass Band of the Salvation Army presented its fifth annual Spring Festival of Praise. This year's concert marked the first time that two bands from the Baltimore command were featured, as the group had become so large that it became necessary to split it into two groups. Several hundred persons listened appreciatively to the bands and their special guests, Jim and Deanna Cheyne, leaders of the Salvation Army music department in Florida.

The concert began the the Baltimore Brass Band, conducted by Divisional Music Director Ron Smith, playing Dean Goffin's festival march Crusaders. Following words of welcome from the Divisional Commander for Maryland and West Virginia, Lt.-Col. John Falin, euphonium soloist Karl Schultz played Harbour Light (Peter Graham). A member of the U.S. Navy, Schultz is principal euphonium of the Naval Academy Band based in Annapolis, Maryland. This was followed by Dudley Bright's lively arrangement Are You Joyful?

Karl Schultz (euphonium) plays the solo Harbour Light accompanied by the Baltimore Brass Band

Bandmaster Smith then introduced the special guests for the evening, Jim and Deanna Cheyne. Both accomplished musicians, the Cheynes lead the divisional music department of the Salvation Army for the state of Florida. Their sets during the concert consisted of Deanna singing with Jim providing piano accompaniment.

Deanna (right) and Jim Cheyne

Following the Cheynes' performance, there was a brief intermission while the second band for the evening, the Baltimore Area Band, took the stage. This band was created in late 2003 as the size of the band in Baltimore had become too large to be one group. The Baltimore Area Band is led by Bandmaster Gerald K. Ebo, and consists mostly of younger players, although it is not a formal youth band. They began their portion of the program with a fanfare prelude on the hymn tune "Regent Square", arranged by David Rowsell. This was followed by Paul Drury's waltz arrangement I Am So Glad.

Bandmaster Gerald Ebo conducts the Baltimore Area Band

Following the waltz, Merle Bodycomb played the horn solo Change My Heart, O God (arr. Douglas Court), with the band accompanying. They completed their portion of the program with In My Heart There Rings a Melody (arr. Anderson) and Spiritual Rock.

The Baltimore Brass Band returned to the stage and began their second section of the evening with the march Chalk Farm No. 2 (Edward Gregson). Bandmaster Smith then joined the tuba section, relinquishing the baton to special guest Jim Cheyne, who conducted his own composition, St. Denio. He then moved to the piano for his second set with Deanna Cheyne. After the second vocal set by the Cheynes, the festival moved to a devotional mood as Bandmaster Cheyne conducted the band in Dean Goffin's classic meditation, The Light of the World. Lt.-Col. Falin gave a few devotional remarks, and then the band concluded the festival with Light-Bringer (Martin Cordner).

Jim Cheyne conducts the Baltimore Brass Band in The Light of the World

Source:
Brass Crest Staff Report

Posted by Webmaster 14 May 2004 23:10:54