Day 9 - Edmonds
written by Kevin Ashman - Cornet
Home Corps (Church): Maidstone
Positions Held: Songster Leader
Occupation: Administrator : Salvation Army Music Ministries Unit
Saturday morning saw the band waking early again ready to make the journey by road back to Spokane Airport for the flight back to Seattle. A good buffet breakfast was ready at the hotel and we were soon on the road heading for the airport.
Check- In for the flight found one of our bandsman seatless on the flight, but the airline staff managed to solve that problem and we all got settled on another small Bombadier turboprop aircraft for the journey to Seattle. This flight took us over some more spectacular scenery, but it was also another bumpy flight - with the cabin crew just managing to get around to serve drinks.
Our immediate destination once we reached Seattle was the corps hall, where a hot lunch had been prepared for us. We do continue to have plenty to eat on this trip!
After lunch we were bussed in three mini busses to the Edmunds Performing Arts Centre, which was to be the venue for the rest of the day’s activities, organised by Divisional Music Director Matt Woods. The members of the band had the opportunity to relax for a while as our Bandmaster spent time working with members of the local Seattle Temple Band in an open rehearsal. The Seattle Temple band was later joined by members of the Cariboo Hill Temple Band who had travelled down from Vancouver, across the border in Canada, for the occasion. For these local musicians, it was a great opportunity to learn under Steve’s direction, and there was an obvious appreciation of his skill, particularly as he led the united bands through parts of Ken Downie’s Majesty.
After a short break, Derick Kane took the stage to present a masterclass on a variety of important elements of brass playing. Emphasising the importance of melody playing and offering imaginative ideas on how to use the SA tune book as a really creative practice tool, Derick demonstrated his ideas in his own inimitable style. He also invited Steve back to the stage for a brief, but enlightening conversation about the relationship between conductor and soloist – and the mutual expectations each might have of each other! A short but helpful question and answer session concluded the session, which was the followed by the members of the two corps bands joining with the ISB to play two pieces – Ken Downie’s ‘In Perfect Peace’ and Wilfred Heaton’s march ‘Praise’.
The ensuing fellowship meal gave the band an opportunity to chat with members of Seattle and Cariboo Hill Temple Bands, as well as with the visitors and members of DHQ Staff, which included Lieut-Colonels Doug and Diane O’Brien. We were again very pleased to welcome Commissioner Phil Swyers and his wife – and also Bill Gordon, who was with us again! Carl Woodman’s thank-you speech included a Happy Birthday greeting for Carl Nielsen (older than me!!) and a big kiss from Bill Gordon’s daughter, Heather!
We were greeted by another enthusiastic audience of over 600 for our final concert of the tour and the band once again delivered an exciting programme which the audience clearly enjoyed. The start of the second half provided a special moment for the band and for composer Bill Gordon as Steve invited him to direct the band in his march-medley ‘Heavenward’.
Another pack down and load and then to billets – a nice change following several nights in hotels. Four of us stayed with DMD Matt Woods and his wife Nicola – and their beautiful little daughter Charlotte in their new home! A couple of ‘Happy Easter’ messages sent to family and friends at home, who were just getting up on Easter Sunday morning, and then to bed for a welcome sleep!