United Bands in Hythe

In a year which celebrates both the 110th anniversary of the Salvation Army corps in Hythe and the centenary of the Hythe Salvation Army Band, Richard Carroll, who has been the bandmaster at Hythe for over 23 years, arranged the fourth annual United Bands Concert, featuring “easy listening” from the Hythe Town Concert Band and “music with a message” from the Hythe Corps Band. Held in St. Leonard's Church, Hythe, on 4 March 2006, the concert also featured the inaugural performance of the Shepway Gospel Youth Choir.

Instrumental items presented included On the King's Highway, By the Peaceful Shores (a euphonium solo played by Songster Leader Wesley Carroll), Tomado de la Mano, Reflections in Praise, Last Night of the Proms, Golden Jubilee, and the Finale from The Carnival of the Animals. Several hundred persons were in attendance, including the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Admiral Lord Boyce; the Mayor of Hythe; and the Chair of the Hythe Chamber of Commerce.

The Shepway Gospel Youth Choir is a recent initiative from Hythe Corps which is focused on 11 – 25-year-olds from all backgrounds who simply love to sing. The choir gave its premiere performance at the United Bands Concert, singing four gospel songs. Before joining the choir, most of the members had never set foot inside Hythe Corps, but now meet there regularly to sing about Jesus and become comfortable with the Corps' style and purpose. The idea to begin the choir was that of Songster Leader Wesley Carroll, who manages, directs and accompanies the group. The initial performance was fantastic, and the groups next performance, for the visit of the territorial leaders to Hythe on 8 – 9 July, is much anticipated.

The evening concluded with the Corps and Town Bands uniting for several numbers, including Colonel Bogey (conducted by the Lord Warden), Nimrod and Eric Ball's classic march, Star Lake.