90th Anniversary Concert

Special Guests The King's Singers & The Scottish Co - Op Band (Allan Ramsay) Saturday 3 May 2008

Govan Citadel Songsters 90th Anniversary Concert Saturday 3rd May Guests....The King's Singers & The Scottish Co-op Band After numerous months of organisation, preparation and high expectation the long awaited 90th Anniversary Celebrations of Govan Citadel Songsters commenced with an evening which will be remembered and talked about for years to come. The Songster locals had the responsibility of getting the celebrations off to a flier. By inviting the world renowned King's Singers and the Scottish Co-op Band no one was left disappointed. The evenings festival commenced with the 90 year old brigade marching in, led by Jillian Gemmell, with flag flying high, to the march 'Rosehill' In the Army ranks are we! The audience reciprocated with warm applause! The Songsters sang two contrasting songs 'God of My Praise' & 'He Sought Me'. Those who had gathered were immediately challenged, 'Come let us sing to the God of our praise!' followed by a reminder, 'The Saviour sought and found me, Oh what a wonderful day!'. Major Derek Tyrrell invited the presence of the Lord through prayer - yes this was not only to be an evening of celebration but also of blessing, uplift and challenge served up not only by top class musicians, but also had the hand of God preparation written all over it. Songster Leader Chic Ramsay welcomed the large audience and assured us we were in for a feast of music. With the formalities over the festival got off to a wonderful start with Scottish Co-op Band, under their Musical Director Allan Ramsay, playing 'Keighley Moor' technical dexterity brass band playing at the highest level what an opener! The bands first set also included the overture 'Russlan and Ludmilla' and 'I'll walk with God'. Once again the bands quality and warmth of sound shone through. An excellent choice of music to start the proceedings leaving the audience wanting more! The scene and atmosphere of great anticipation was set as the audience once again gave rapturous applause as the Kings Singers took to the stage in immaculate deportment which enhanced the setting. Their first set of songs were to be the bread and butter of acappella singing madrigals. (a type of secular unaccompanied vocal music composition, written during the Renaissance and early Baroque eras) Songs included: 'Now is the month of Maying', 'The Silver Swan', 'Thoamaryllis dance in green, Draw on sweet night' and 'As Vesta was descending'. From the first sound the audience were immediately individually drawn in by the facial expressions and stage presence of the masterly crafted musicians. The madrigals although perhaps not to everyones taste, however, the audience were left in no doubt this was indeed singing and musicianship of the highest order. (Madrigals to the Kings Singers are like Marches to the brass band!) The warmth and quality of vocal sound was quite awesome on numerous occasions. The Scottish Co-op band returned once again and immediately changed the mood and with the toe tapping 'Valero' the band creating a come dancing atmosphere enticing the listener to get to their feet! This was big band music at its best played by a brass band and succeeded! Next on the feast of music menu was 'Benedictus' from The Armed Man , composed by Karl Jenkins (The Armed Man - "A Mass For Peace" is the result of a special millennial commission from the Royal Armouries and the latest in a six century old tradition of "Armed Man" masses that take the fifteenth century French song "L'Homme Armé" as their starting point.) The bands principal euphonium, Alison Bonnar was phenomenal. Her tone quality, musical interpretation was inspiringly awesome and a highlight for many in the evening. Concluding their set in the first half the band chose to play Peter Grahams 'Gaelforce', a tour de force, which featured all their principal players in sheer brilliance of playing. An audience favourite and an excellent choice. (Well done MD!) The first half drew to a close with another group of songs by our special vocal guests The King's Singers. Following the success of their invitation at Hendon Highlights in 2005, they were invited to record a CD, The Quiet Heart - a selection of Salvation Army favourites. This set was to include 'The Christian Mission', 'Is it nothing to you?', 'Jesus answers prayer', 'The Quiet Heart' and 'In the secret of thy presence'. Throughout this session the listener was indeed challenged, moved and uplifted almost at every musical phrase. The Kings Singers musical approach to Our kind of music was of the highest professional standard and indeed given the nod of approval by the fellow Salvationists who had gathered.The warmth of musical conviction was awesome, inviting the listener to individual thought provoking challenge. (This CD is a must buy if only for quiet individual devotions, you will be musically and spiritually inspired!) The interval, after one hour 45 minutes of musical artistry, brought a welcomed break in the proceedings. This allowed everyone to meet up with fellow salvationists and friends and welcomed refreshments! The Co-op Band commenced the second half with the stirring, foot tapping march 'Able'. Another excellent festival opener! This was followed by an old Army band favourite, which will never die throughout the decades of time - 'The Light of the World'. This was played with simplistic musicianship achieving a true and real understanding of the music, through the medium of brass band playing at its best. In complete contrast the band concluded this section with the finale to Dean Jones composition 'Glorifico Aeternum'. (This piece was written especially for the Salvation Army's Yorkshire School of Christian Arts (known as YSCA), it was written for a group of kids who were meeting for one week which was a great achievement. This was the Co-Op band at its best, spectacular playing from around the stands! The King's Singers took the stage for their last group of songs entitled Close Harmony. Repertoire included 'Am a Train' and a Beatles set 'Black Bird', 'Ob La Di Ob La Da' and 'Honey Pie'. This was the show stopping side of Kings Singers, now celebrating their 40th Anniversary, who wooed their audience with phenomenal musical tongue in cheek entertainment! Their expertise included brilliant impersonations of various wind, brass, string and percussive instruments they truly were indeed Gob Smacking! (I make no apologies for the pun!) (Who said the Kings Singers were an Acappella group?) With the audience wanting more the world renown vocalists treated us to some home grown music 'Mhairis Wedding' and the audience loved it! Their final encore was 'The Creole Love Call' absolutely brilliant! Gentlemen - David Hurley, Robin Tyson, Paul Phoenix, Philip Lawson, Christopher Gabbitas & Stephen Connelly, sincere thanks for accepting the invitation to be part of our 90th celebrations! The Co-Op Band once again took centre stage to conclude the finale with two numbers 'David of the White Rock' featuring guest principal cornet Chris Bradley and 'Ol Man River' from the musical Showboat featured their percussion section, who were quite simply - brilliant! After a vote of thanks by Major Derek Tyrrell, he invited the audience to once again show their appreciation for a magnificent evenings feast of music. To all our participants an enormous thank you for a spectacular evening.

Concert review by Bandmaster Brian Keachie

Govan Citadel Songsters

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