Norwich Citadel Christmas Engagements

For most Salvation Army bands, December is the busiest month. For the Norwich Citadel Band (Bandmaster Douglas Beattie), December 2007 was no exception, with the band and its members undertaking a total of 19 engagements, ranging from playing carols in a very cold and occasionally wet Gentleman’s Walk on three Saturdays to Christmas concerts and carol services. Events included carol services at four care homes, playing at a sports and social club (another rather wet outdoor event), a funeral parlor and two village churches, in addition to the full band performing at the Cathedral.

The Norwich Citadel Band supported the Great Yarmouth Corps with a Gala Concert for the benefit of “Toys and Tins”. This event was held at Great Yarmouth Marina, as Norwich’s Theatre Royal was undergoing refurbishment. The evening was recorded by the BBC for broadcast over Radio Norfolk on Christmas Day.

The band’s final concert before the holiday was held at the Citadel and was for the benefit of the “Big C” Cancer Appeal. Bethany Taylor shared the platform with the band and delighted the audience with her beautiful voice in In the Bleak Mid-Winter. Bethany’s brother, David Taylor, home for Christmas from Birmingham Music Conservatory, performed a euphonium solo entitled Peace with piano accompaniment by Percy Sommerville. The evening was recorded by Hospital Radio for broadcast to patients over the Christmas period.