Braeside Salvation Army Home, Charity Concert

On Friday 22nd May 2009, The Solent Fellowship Band joined with The New Music Makers Choir for a Charity Concert at Portsmouth Citadel Salvation Army Corps. Proceeds from the event were donated to The Salvation Army’s Braeside Social Home in Zimbabwe. The Home was established after the Salvation Army identified the suffering of older people, some sleeping under bridges or on the streets. In conjunction with The Good Neighbours Scheme at Portsmouth Citadel Corps, the concert raised funds to be used to establish a Chicken Farm at Braeside. The Farm will both reduce grocery costs and provide an income stream for the Home.
Bandmaster Chris Kennett commenced proceedings leading the band in an opening march, “Spirit of Joy” (Herbert Rive). Major Cedric Hills (Commanding Officer, Portsmouth Citadel Corps) welcomed the band and congregation.

After a congregational song, Major Hills offered prayer.

Mariane Temperley then conducted the New Music Makers Choir in, “One” (Hamlish / Kleban arr. Anita Kerr) Ride The Chariot (arr. William Henry Smith) Grace (arr. Mark Hayes) and a Les Miserables Medley (Schonberg / Kretzmer arr. Ed Lojeski).

An individual item followed featuring the band’s Principal Tenor Horn, Callam Carter, who played Derek Jordan’s arrangement of the Rondo from Mozart’s 4th Horn Concerto.

The band’s playing of “Whiter Than The Snow” (William Himes) preceeded a presentation and appeal by Major Hills on behalf of the Braeside Social Home.

The song arrangement, “People Need The Lord” (trs. Howard Davies) and the Tone Poem, “Faith Reborn” (Leslie Condon) concluded the first half.

After a short interval, the band played Barrie Gott’s Festival Arrangement, “Let There Be Praise”.

The choir then contributed their second selection of songs, “Can Can” (Jacques Offenbach arr. Julie Eschliman), The Lord Is My Shepherd (Howard Goodall), Alexander’s Ragtime Band (Irving Berlin arr. Kilby Shaw), a Guys and Dolls Medley (Frank Loesser arr. Mac Huff) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Tim Rice / Andrew Lloyd Webber arr. Neil Slater).

Further band items included the song setting, “Mid All The Traffic” (Leonard Ballantine) and Robert Redhead’s Suite, “Shout Salvation”.

Major Hills thanked the guests and congregation for their attendance. After reading verses of scripture, Major Hills announced that over £1000 had been raised from the event.

The band concluded the evening concert with the March, “Assignment” (Dudley Bright).

On Friday 26 June 2009, the band present their final concert of the season at Alton Salvation Army Corps. (TU).