Fellowship Band Features Music by Eric Ball

Works by Eric Ball were featured at a concert given by the South London Fellowship Band (Bandmaster Major George Whittingham) at Eastbourne Citadel on 28 July 2010. This is an annual visit for the Fellowship Band, and an audience comprised of holidaymakers, locals and regular supporters gave the band a warm welcome.

A cross section of Eric Ball’s extensive compositions was represented. Items included the march Torchbearers, symphonic variations The Old Wells, the tone poem Song of Courage and the selection Songs of the Valiant. A homily from the Scriptures given by Phil Edwards led into the classic devotional selection Songs in Exile.

Featured soloists were Bram Chestney (euphonium) who played the transcription To a Wild Rose, vocalist Les Swift who sang Hold Thou My Hand, and Darrell Scholes (cornet) who played Glory to His Name and In the Secret of Thy Presence from the meditation “Sanctuary”.

In contrast to the main focus of the evening, the concert concluded with the popular Erik Leidzén march In the King’s Service.