On Saturday evening, after completing more than 17 years as the Bandmaster of the Boscombe Band, Howard Evans retired from that position. It was fitting that the final piece that he conducted embodied all that he deemed important in the role of a Salvation Army Band. In Quiet Pastures has been part of the Band's repertoire for a number of years and it comes from the pen of Ray Steadman-Allen - a salvationist composer whose music and influence has a very special place in Howard's life.

Throughout his years of leadership there has always been a sense of the spiritual having priority over the musical. Through this he has led the Band to many great experiences. He used to the full his gift to be able to create something that is more than 'just' a band performance - whether it was accompanying the hymns each Sunday in our worship or a Band concert in one of the many places that we visited over the years - the most often heard comments were how the Band connected with those listening and participating in the worship and added to the meetings.

The result was that in many cases those who have heard the Band - either live or in one of our recordings - had an experience that far exceeded their expectations. They might have been expecting some "good music" or perhaps they were listening just out of curiosity - but so often they would have left with a blessing - Howard liked to talk about taking the listeners "on a journey" - the destination was always a "better place".

There are far too many highlights to mention - and each member of the Band will have their own special memories. Among those that would be shared by many would be our 125th Anniversary year and the wonderful trip round Scandinavia; our participation in Symphony Sounds in Birmingham; and our visit to Rome with the General to join in the celebrations of that territory's 130th anniversary. Many more highlights happened in our own Sunday morning meetings where Howard ensured that the Band did their most important job. Rehearsing our Sunday music was always the number one priority in Howard's rehearsals.

Howard did not want any "fuss" on his retirement - but it would be wrong to let the moment pass without saying a huge THANK YOU from the Band and on behalf of the thousands of people who have had their lives touched by the Band's ministry over the last 17 years.

There is no doubt that Howard will be missed as Bandmaster - but he will not be far away and will remain an important part of the Corps and Band fellowship. There is so much more that could be said - but Howard always insisted that he did not want an obituary

Thank you Howard...