Former members joined with the current members of the junior sections on a warm Monday evening for an open rehearsal entitled ‘music through the ages’. The evening brought to a close what had been a busy year for the junior band and singing company who this year along with the weekly rehearsal and Sunday commitments have taken part in visits to Clowne and surrounding centres with the annual Christmas concerts and carolling commitments, a visit to the Dore well dressing along with fundraising events for the corps and also contributing as the “warm up act” to visiting sections such as Enfield band, Bellshill band the Household Troops band and the International Staff Songsters. All in all it has been another successful chapter of music making in the life of the Sheffield Citadel junior musicians.

 

The Open rehearsal kicked off to the blazing sound of ‘I will sing your Praises’ arranged by the bandleader. Former members (some of whom hadn’t played in some time) mingled amongst the current band and I dare say were shown a thing or two by these young players! Psalm 150 was read by Melanie Alchin in English, which was then followed by John Longwa reading the same Psalm, ‘en francais’!

The Singing Company also boasted a list of former members that ranged from former leaders, sergeants pianists and troublemakers who had turned up to support the rehearsal and they too took part. The massed groups first song of ‘Bubbles and troubles’ managed to bring a smile to all faces either singing or listening.

With the troubles of the bubbles washed away, the band played through the sprightly march ‘Vanguard’.

 Nicola Spencer is currently the YPSM at Sheffield but prior to this she was the assistant Singing Company leader. She had chosen to lead the simplistic yet powerful song ‘Jewels’. The familiar words “when He cometh to make up His Kingdom” were put to a “new” (or new at the time) tune for the Singing Company journals and has been used to great affect particularly with this young singing group. Following on from this beautiful song was a song perhaps not ‘as’ beautiful but still a lot of fun to sing. ‘Rejoice’ was originally written as a march but was re-written as a song for Singing Company’s. It was apparent that one or two of the gentlemen were unsure as to what part they should be singing (after all the last time many had sung it they were probably on soprano) This was then followed by a memory game, with the people in attendance being asked to see if they could remember the names of all former Band, Singing Company leaders AND their sergeants and assistants! A display table had been set up prior to the start of the rehearsal with all sorts of memorabilia from years gone by including old pictures, music, programmes and also uniforms (including a very itchy red jumper!) which may have lent a helping hand to those with wavering memories!

One of the longest serving bandleaders to date is Alf Wileman who was invited to come and conduct the march ‘Shauffasen’. Although sight reading for some, this good old street march came up very fresh to all who listened with Alf vigorously steering the band for home!

Like Alf, Anne Wileman is the longest serving Singing Company leader to date. Anne now is in her fifth year as Songster Leader. She had chosen to lead the Derick Kane song ‘Divine Right’. The words of this beautiful song summed up the mission and intent of all who are musicians in the Salvation Army  “dear Lord I give without reserve, my heart, my, life my all.”

The newly appointed Bandmaster of Sheffield Citadel, Keith Wileman, spent 10 years as bandleader of the junior band. During his time in charge, the Band and Singing Company were fortunate enough to visit many corps in the UK territory and also took part in  a mini tour to Majorca. Keith chose two short pieces to conduct, the first being the arrangement of ‘Carlisle’ and the second the beautiful ‘Notturno’

 

With the musical journey through time almost up to current day the playing was put on hold momentarily. For two people it was to be there last rehearsal with the Junior Band. Melanie Alchin (Euphonium) will be leaving Sheffield at the end of August to embark on the Salvation Army’s new ‘Essential’ programme. This will involve her being assigned to a corps in the UK where she will be involved in the development of youth scene there and we wish her every success. And for assistant Band Leader John Longwa, his work commitments meant that he would now be working in Hull and as a result took the decision to step down from his role as assistant bandleader. The influence that John has had on the band and its members will never be forgotten. Not only was his musicianship of the best quality for the kids but also his Christian example and his dedication to the Lord shone from him in all he did with the band. They were both presented with a small gift from the Junior sections.

Johns was then invited to conduct (minus score) the march ‘Kinshasa IV’ that is a march special to John as Kinshasa was his home corps in the Congo.

 

The current assistant Singing Company leader Rebecca Fincham took the massed singers through a jazzed up version of the classic song ‘Sandy land’ complete with an impromptu inflatable saxophone break from Chris Alchin and Hazel Robb. Elvis they were not!

Major John Smith (complete with yellow, red and blue junior musicians tie) brought his thoughts to us. He encouraged the current members to keep doing what they were doing and to support one another.

 

The singers contributed their last item that came in the form of ‘Purest Praise’. It seemed that musically as the years went by, the words of songs became quicker and for some of the more ‘mature’ members, trying to fit the words to the tune didn’t quite work out but it was still all good fun!

 

Along with the former members who had joined in with the band and singing company there were a number of people who had turned up to show their support in a less active role. However there was no escaping the bands last contribution of ‘Las Luvias Grandes’

Major Fred Smith was amongst a few who were now armed with various items of percussion ready to do battle with the piece! The feel good piece brought to a close what had been a fun and relaxed evening of nostalgia, music making but more importantly an evening of musical praise to our Lord.