Over 500 attend London’s Festival of Carols

On Monday, December 5, 2011, The Salvation Army’s London Citadel Band and the First-St. Andrew’s United Church Choir treated Londoners to a free concert and Carol Sing. Centennial Hall was filled with anticipation as Chief Secretary Colonel Floyd Tidd, emcee for the evening, introduced each number. 

Bandmaster John Lam and the London Citadel Band started off the evening of musical praise with Fanfare Jubiloso by James Curnow and also presented a rich collection of pieces including Christ is Born by Robert Redhead. Guest tuba soloist, Rob Brown, of Toronto, also treated the audience to solos on his tuba. His first number was Frosty the Snowman to the delight of all the children.  His version of The Carnivore of Venice displayed the immense talent this musician brings to the stage and the audience sat mesmerized by the range and quality of the performance.  He not only played superbly but also brought a comic element to it when a phone call from his mother interrupted his performance. Bandmaster John Lam also took the opportunity that evening to recognize two longstanding members of the band for their contributions over the years. Bernard Doars and Ron Gilbert served a combined 84 years with the London Citadel Band. Now retiring from the band, they were presented with plaques to commemorate their years of service.

First-St. Andrew’s United Church Choir, one of the finest church choirs in Southwestern Ontario, under the direction of Paul Merritt, sang Oh Glory, written by Joseph Joubert. They also brought with them a young soloist, Thomas Samson–Williams, who delighted the audience with his crystal clear, angelic voice while he performed a Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter.  They then sang We Wish You A Merry Christmas, arr. John Rutter.

Each year during The Festival of Carols, The Salvation Army presents the Jack Burghardt Award of Excellence to a deserving individual or business who has supported The Salvation Army in a significant way.  In 2010, Rick McMullin of Ricky Ratchets Auto Repair was chosen for his long-standing contribution to the Christmas Toy Drive that is held each year.  Unfortunately, last year’s Festival of Carols was unable to proceed due to bad weather and so this year was an opportunity for Major Kathie Chiu, Executive Director of The Centre of Hope, to publicly thank Rick and his wife Linda for their continued efforts to fill their annual Christmas Bus with toys for children.  Present for that award was Jack Burghardt’s son, Dave and his grandson, Andrew.

Finishing off the evening was a Christmas Meditation brought by Divisional Commander, Lieut.-Colonel Lee Graves, and the singing of Silent Night by the audience. London Citadel Band  offered one final selection entitled A Christmas Finale by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.