On the 9th June 1984 Boscombe Band under the leadership of Bandmaster Geoff Otter took part in the Bandmaster's Councils Festival at the Royal Albert Hall playing Ray Steadman Allen's The Holy War. The UK Territory's annual musical festival has recently been called the "Gospel Arts Festival" and this year moved to Symphony Hall Birmingham taking a new name - "Symphony Sounds".

It was a privilege for the Band to once again represent all the Corps bands up and down the country on the stage in Birmingham - sharing it with the International Staff Band and the International Staff Songsters.

We left the Corps at Boscombe at 9.00 am - the band coach followed by our "supporter's bus" (!!) with many from the Corps wanting to be part of this big day for the Band. The early start was due to the fact that we were scheduled to perform in the foyer at 1.30 - the first of five Corps sections that were providing entertainment - and hopefully much blessing - to those who had travelled to Symphony Hall for the evening concert.

Our programme was attended by a very good crowd who enjoyed the variety of music that was provided - it was good to have Kevin Larsson conduct his own composition They Shall Come From The East.

The "main event" in the evening was hosted by our Territorial Leader - Clive Adams and as he introduced our band it was good to hear him draw the distinction between the "staff" sections - who are hand picked musicians - and our own Band - representing the many hundreds who each week come together to provide music in our own local Church.

Both Bill Gordon's arrangement of the Dies Irae from Verdi's Requiem and Peter Graham's The Last Amen were enthusiastically received by those listening.

For many members of the Band this was the first time that they had experienced the thrill of participating in such an event. It is safe to say that they enjoyed the experience and were pleased to have the opportunity to offer our own music to the Glory of God on this occasion.

Even though it was a very long day - we didn't return to Boscombe until nearly 1am - everyone was of the opinion that it had been a worthwhile effort to make and hoped that something played - or said - would have made some difference to those listening.