I first learned to play cornet in our Young People’s band in Govan – with my dad as YP Band Leader – so no pressure there. Then, by the time I joined the Songsters (choir for those unfamiliar with Salvation Army terminology 😉) my dad was Songster Leader. So there is probably no doubt that my “style” owed something to my father.
Having said that, it is entirely possible that – just once or twice – I might have given him some advice 😂😂 – or at least tried to!!
Certainly some of the repertoire that became familiar to me I later used when I myself was conducting the Songsters at Boscombe several years later. It was quite a surprise to be asked to be Deputy Songster Leader as I had never viewed myself to have that much experience in choral music – but it was enjoyable and a great learning experience.
There were some interesting criticisms that came my way – perhaps the one that stayed with me most was when one of the older members of the Songster Brigade told me off for conducting with my eyes closed 😲😃🤔
I cannot remember what music I was conducting when that happened, but it could well have been this one – George Marshall’s “In The Stillness” – a favourite of my dad’s and one that I certainly used myself. The link from the title takes you to the song – but the embedded link takes you to a copy of the whole CD which has got many other highlights as well.
George Marshall : In The Stillness
Comments :
David Phillips
One of my favourites George. Your father was a great encouragement to me when I was a young officer in Glasgow. He invited me to conduct his YP Band weekend,we stayed at his home. A fine man.
Colin Sneade
The interpretation of “The greatest of these”, is, in my opinion, just as George Marshall would have heard it in his head. Absolutely brilliant 😊