Birmingham Citadel Band presented a concert of Christmas music at Wylde Green United Reform Church.  A capacity audience gathered to hear BCB start the concert with Peter Graham’s exciting march “The Wonder of Christmas”.  Compered by Allister du Plessis, BCB’s programme was punctuated with scripture readings and carols.

 

Due to a prior work commitment, Bandmaster Graham Lamplough was unable to be there and so Deputy Bandmaster Mark Sharman conducted the band.  The programme included popular festive favourites including Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride”, as well Salvation Army Christmas classics such as the march “The Spirit of Christmas”.  Recent arrangements by Steven Ponsford and Philip Rayment of familiar carols “O come O come Immanuel” and “See amid the Winter’s snow” respectively, provided contemporary musical styles as contrast.

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The band’s performance of Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s “A Christmas Finale” was particularly well received by a most appreciative audience.  The concert proved to be a wonderful evening of festive music and proceeds from the concert were donated to the Leprosy Mission.

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Photograph: Graham Daff

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Programme

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Birmingham Citadel Band

The Wonder of Christmas

 

Opening Carol O Come All Ye Faithful

 

Reading: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

 

Birmingham Citadel Band

A Christmas Finale

 

Reading: John 1:1-14

 

Carol Silent Night, Holy Night

 

Reading: Luke 2:1-7

 

Birmingham Citadel Band

Sweet Little Jesus Boy

Immanuel

 

Carol O Little Town of Bethlehem

 

Short presentation on The Leprosy Mission

Allister du Plessis

 

Carol Once in Royal David’s City

 

Reading: Luke 2:8-20

 

Birmingham Citadel Band

Winters Snow

Sleigh Ride

 

Carol While Shepherds Watched

 

A Poem for Christmas

read by Allister du Plessis

 

Carol Joy to the World

 

Vote of thanks

 

Carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing

 

Birmingham Citadel Band

The Spirit of Christmas