Wisteria Concert in Norwich

The Norwich Citadel Band (Bandmaster Richard Woodrow) recently “traveled” to the Parish Church of St. Giles-on-the-Hill, located about 400 yards from the Citadel on the same city center street, for a Wisteria Concert. The concert was so named because of the many wisteria bushes surrounding the medieval church building that were in full bloom with their beautiful blue flowers. Also participating in the concert were the Fine City Barbershop Singers.

Contributions to the event from the Norwich Citadel Band began with a new march by Stephen Ponsford, Wonderful Day, followed by another recent composition, Heart Beat (Leonard Ballantine). One of the highlights of the concert was Alex Gibson, who made his debút as a cornet soloist. For his maiden solo, Alex chose Zelda, and evergreen caprice which he performed well and without a copy in front of him. The trombone section was featured in Olaf Ritman’s When I Survey which was followed by the Leslie Condon classic Easter Glory, which concluded the first half of the program.

Other soloists included David Winch, who played Erik Leidzén’s fine old tenor horn solo The Old Rustic Bridge, and Daniel Beattie, who offered the euphonium solo Harbour Light (Norman Bearcroft). The band’s final item was Jubilation! by James Curnow.