News

CD: Water’s Edge – Saxophone Reflections

SASWE saxophonist Saira Clegg has released a recording called Water’s Edge – Saxophone Reflections. The CD includes a number of lively as well as more reflective pieces for saxophone and we think it is well worth a listen!

Saira CD Water's Edge

Watch the promo:

Find more details about the recording, including how to purchase it, on Saira’s website: http://www.sairaclegg.com/music/waters-edge-saxaphone-reflections

Honouring Maisie

Members of SASWE were honoured to be a part of the celebration of Maisie Wiggins’ life. She would have certainly enjoyed the occasion.

SASWE at Maisie Wiggins' Celebration Service

SASWE members who were able to travel to Staines joined with Staines Salvation Army Band to play In Quiet Pastures, The Lord is Gracious and Be Still.

SASWE at Maisie Wiggins' Celebration Service

The evening celebration was a fitting tribute.

Remembering Maisie

Maisie WigginsSASWE members send condolences to the family of the legendary trombonist Maisie Wiggins. Our trombone section will not be the same without our Duchess and friend. She will be sorely missed, for her teaching, for her Christianity, for her trombone playing, for her musicianship, and for her grace. 

Some of our members will be joining with Staines Salvation Army Band at the Celebration Service on Friday 16th December to pay tribute to our friend.

If you would like to join us to remember Maisie, it starts at 7.00pm at Staines Salvation Army Corps, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middlesex.

Here is Maisie at her 90th birthday celebration a couple of years ago with fellow SASWE members. 

Maisie Wiggings 90th Birthday

At Symphony Sounds

In June SASWE had the absolute pleasure of joining with other Salvation Army musicians at Symphony Sounds, the annual celebration of Salvation Army music here in the UK.

Here we are playing in our foyer concert in the afternoon…

SASWE at Symphony Sounds

…and here we are playing Glory! Honour! by Andrew Mackereth.

I guess we aren’t the Salvation Army’s “best kept secret” anymore! We even made it into the Salvationist 🙂

SASWE in the Salvationist

 

Visit to Bedford Congress Hall, March 2016

The reputation of the Salvation Amy Wind Ensemble preceded their visit to Bedford Congress Hall. We were not disappointed, as the concert progressed with music that both excited and blessed the listener. We were reminded from the start by the Ensemble’s musical director Andrew Mackereth that, the evening, besides being a musical experience would also be a spiritual one. The response of the audience to the items as they were presented bore out to the success of the Ensemble on both points.

Bedford Congress Hall

The applause that greeted the scintillating playing of their opening item Glorious Service (Barrie Hingley) was equally met with a reverent silence as we were reminded of the words associated Michaels Babb’s arrangement of Lead Kindly light. These contrasting emotions were evoked as the programme continued with Wilfred Himes Joyful Celebration, Norman Bearcroft’s Just Like John arranged by Kevin Horner for the wind Ensemble. Andrew Mackereth’s arrangement of the Beatles song Here, There and Everywhere, Demonstrated the versatility of this fine group of musicians. The evening concluded with an arrangement of Let the Children sing (Alan Laken\Andrew Mackereth) of the Singing Company song it is a thing most wonderful too wonderful for words. Bedford Congress Hall Songsters supported throughout.

Theo Armstrong
Bedford Congress Hall

SASWE at Symphony Sounds

We are very pleased that SASWE will be taking part in this year’s Symphony Sounds festival in June. How exciting!!!

Symphony Sounds

The festival, which is an annual event by The Salvation Army, takes place on Saturday 4 June at Birmingham Symphony Hall. We are honoured and very excited to be taking part alongside some other great Salvation Army musicians.

Perhaps SASWE won’t be the Army’s “best kept secret” for much longer?

We would love to see lots of our supporters and friends at the event – tickets are available now direct from Birmingham Symphony Hall.

Visit to Burton on Trent, October 2015

A large and appreciative audience gathered at Burton-on-Trent and enjoyed a programme given by the Salvation Army Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Andrew Mackereth.

Burton upon Trent

This little-known group of musicians was founded over twenty years ago because of a desire by Salvationist woodwind instrumentalists to perform within the Salvation Army and throughout the programme great enjoyment was experienced by its variation of styles together with the tonal depth of the ensemble. Pieces ranged from ‘Montreal Citadel’,’Cause for Celebration’ and ‘O, to be like Thee.’ Of special mention was the superb playing by saxophonist Saira Hall of ‘I surrender all’. Burton Songsters supported by singing ‘Total Praise,’Healing Christ’ and ‘He is the Way’.

K.B.Adnams (CSM)