Concert for Guide Dogs for the Blind

The Gloucester Salvation Army Band (Bandmaster Clifford Matthews) played a charity concert on 21 December 2007 at Highnam Community Centre for the benefit of Highnam Cricket Club and their chosen charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The band presented a varied program that included solo items, a little magi and carols from around the world, beginning with Fanfare Jubiloso. Other items included the marches Wonder of Christmas and Joy of Christmas, meditative items Who Is He and Away in a Manger and lively swing and rhythmic pieces Three Kings Swing and Yule Dance.

During the evening the audience had the opportunity to join in the singing of many carols including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”, and favorite carols chosen from the audience, including “Silent Night.”

Soloists included Yvonne West, who sang O Holy Night, and euphonium soloist Julian Brand, who played “Winter” from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

Musician, magician and all-around performer Tom Elliot provided entertainment in the form of magic, ventriloquism (with a guest appearance from Freddy Bear) and song.

Throughout the evening, Bandmaster Matthews shared the Christmas message and encouraged the audience to remember that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The purpose of the concert was to raise awareness and funds for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Reg White, a member of Gloucester Salvation Army, spoke about the charity and thanked everyone who had been involved in making the evening possible.