Citadel Band in Cathedral

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33533, 14 May 1974, Page 10

Citadel Band in Cathedral

The Christchurch Citadel Salvation Army Band will give the fourth recital in this year’s series in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursday, May 23.

Besides performing as a full brass band of 38 players, the Citadel Band also functions as a male choir, presenting vocal music in various styles. For many years it has recorded programmes for the national network of the N.Z.8.C., and has performed in various parts of New Zealand. During August the band will visit Australia, to give concerts in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Adelaide. In its 91 years of unbroken service to Christchurch the band has contributed to many civic and church functions. Cathedral Square resounds every Saturday and

Sunday evening to the music provided as an evangelistic outreach. Instruments, music and uniforms are provided by the bandsmen out of their own pockets and out of money raised by broadcasts, recordings, and other ventures. I Items of interest in the | programme are several works for bands by contemporary composers. These include the New Zealand composer, Dean Goffin (Prelude and Fugue, “Arise My Soul Arise”). Leslie Condon’s evocative music depicting a mystical procession of the saints is entitled “The Cail of the Righteous.” The suite, “Portraits from Paul’s Epistles,” by Bramwell Coles, has music inspired by contrasting, texts from scripture. Comet, trombone, and euphonium soloists will be heard in “Rhapsody on Negro • Spirituals,” the aria “Lend I Me Your Aid” from Gounod’s opera, “The Queen of Sheba,” j and a rhapsodic work, “The II Pathway.” The male chorus will be heard in a Welsh hymn, a Normandy carol, a Negro spiritual, and other items. Perhaps the most unusual item in the concert will be a performance by the soprano, i Beverly Kench, accompanied Iby the band, of Mozart’s . “Allelujah” from “Exultate r Jubilate.” ’ The band will be directed by Thomas Brown.