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Jubilee Brass is not the
only senior’s band in
Ontario, Canada. Heritage
Brass out of Toronto had its
Genesis 21 years ago and a
brand new Legacy Brass was
formed this year in Ottawa.
On Saturday, October 24th a
member of Jubilee Brass
journeyed to Oshawa Citadel
in order to ‘spy out’
Heritage Brass in their
annual concert.
As the band marched in one
could not help but notice
this is an All Star group
whose members have made
fantastic music and
committed Christian service
for many, many years.
Several have been members of
the Canadian Staff Band.
Their leader is Brian
Burditt who, for many years,
was a member of the Canadian
Staff Band and then its
leader.
Guests for the concert were
Robert Venables (cornet),
Rhonda Venables (piano) and
Emily Snellings, soprano.
The concert had music for
everyone’s enjoyment and the
caliber was top drawer.
The concert began with ‘Ein
Feste Berg’, a festival
overture for brass arranged
by Leonard Ballantine.
Bob Venable’s first
presentation was ‘Trumpet
Call’ from the pen of
Kenneth Downie. Following a
tremendous applause he was
joined by bandsmen Gary Dean
and Deryck Diffey in the
trio ‘The Heralds’ (Phil
Catelinet).
The next number ‘Down by the
Riverside’ was an
arrangement by Simon Kerwin.
Emily Snellings brought her
first solo. This petite,
young lady is majoring in
voice at the University of
Toronto and impressed with
her poise, voice quality and
dynamics.
One would assume that the
band’s ‘big’ number for the
evening was Ray Steadman
Allen’s festival number ‘A
Warrior’s Psalm’, very
demanding yet very well
played.
‘Victors Acclaimed’ by
Bramwell Coles was chosen to
commence the second half of
the program. This is always
a popular march for players
and listeners as well.
Bob Venables took to the
stage again and to thrill
the crowd with a masterful
performance of Ivor
Bosanko’s ‘Heavenly Light’.
Bob followed with an easy
listening number when he
presented ‘Summertime’.
Bob’s wife Rhonda then
brought the grand piano to
life in Steadman Allen’s
‘Fantasia for Piano and
Band’ based on the chorus
‘Christ is the answer’.
Bandmaster Burditt declared
this to be his favorite
piece of music. He was not
alone in that sentiment.
Rhonda did a superb
rendering and the band very
ably handled a difficult
accompaniment.
Emily was joined by the band
in ‘Because of who you are’
written by Bob Farrell and
arranged by William Gordon.
Before Major Ernie Reid
brought a poignant
devotional the band played
‘Stars of the Morning’ by
Kenneth Downie
For the benediction the band
moved into and around the
congregation playing William
Himes ‘Make me a channel of
your peace’. This was a
beautiful and spirit ending
to a most enjoyable evening.
Jubilee Brass congratulates
and salutes this wonderful
group just down the 401 to
the East. |
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