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Comments by Assistant Territorial Music Director Andrew Blyth
The work under review represents the first published piece in our journals by this composer. Lome Barry is a Canadian who now lives in Brisbane, Australia, where he currently holds the position of Deputy Bandmaster and Contemporary Ensemble leader for the Brisbane City Temple Corps. Credo has been featured by the International Staff Band and recorded on their latest CD, Jubilee. It is hoped that we will continue to see more music of such calibre from this young composer in the future.
The opening of the piece is very atmospheric. The Glockenspiel starts and develops its initial interval into a figure that will be taken up in the Cornets at bar 12. Throughout these bars (12-20) all the instruments of the band are introduced and this serves to heighten the sense of wonder and journeying as we put our trust in God, culminating in the phrase Simply trusting every day at section A. Please remember that this is the first climactic point of the music, therefore it needs to have a broad and expansive feel to it. There is a gentle reassurance in the music at section A with the knowledge that we need to 'simply trust'. Here, the Euphonium can take some time and space to allow the player to rest in that knowledge, even if the Horns are gently warning of the trials to come in life by introducing the key to the next section.
Section B leads us into the darker times of life when it is not as easy to trust in God. It is important to commence this with energy from the start, ensuring good tuning from the muted Baritone and Trombones. Consistent and uniformed staccato, with strong entries from the Percussion, are essential in building the tension to section C. Here the composer has asked for a stern (adirato), march-like feel. The pulse divides into a strict three in the Basses against a four in the other instruments. What the conductor chooses to beat here can be up for debate but it is essential that a solid 'three feel' in the Basses is achieved. Once again the music leads us to a softer and assured feeling of trust at section E leading into the main tune' Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus at section F. Even here, there are moments of doubt in the muted Cornets and Trombones with the contrast in attack and colour. The final statement*, O for grace to trust Him more*!, three bars before section G, brings us to another 19th Century hymn entitled 'Twasshed for me. Here, the scoring and feel is reminiscent of the composer James Curnow and has a real feeling of breadth and wonderment with the refrain Oh, the blood! The crimson blood! Wondrous love beyond degree. Keep the music contained (it is only marked at forte) and ensure good breath control so that there are no gaps within this section. Keep the Glockenspiel quavers square and tight. It is important that band do not work too hard here.
Once again, the music calms down and bring us into another chapter of a trusting Christian's life; that of an assured believer who can rest in the knowledge that from Jesus we can simply take life, rest, joy and peace. The music again builds to the climactic and brilliant fanfare at section L. Ensure that the Cornets and Euphonium pick up the tempo and are together three bars before section K. The fanfare at L is only the third time that the band plays at fortissimo, so this needs to be a real positive and joyful statement before the return of the main tune at section M.
There are three rhythmic devices employed during this section and it is important for the band to work on these as opposed to volume. The Snare Drum part is vital to give a good pulse, with accents not being forced. The composer has only marked this section at forte and once again the tune and the bass line needs a continuous feel to it, with breadth (con larghezza) given to the melody. The semiquaver runs in the Cornet and Euphonium parts really need to be worked; many feel that to start on the first note and end on the last is enough without worrying about the rest! Ensure that the subito mp cresc. is achieved by the whole ensemble four bars before section O, to give a sense of drama as we lead into the last chorus.
A final affirmation at section O with the words associated yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, draws this piece to thrilling and exhilarating climax. The music drives to the last note and gives no room for slowing down, with the ensemble all finishing at fortissimo for the final section.
Programme Note
The music is largely based around, the 19th Century Hymn 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus'. The title literally translates as 'to believe/trust' or 'to commit/trust in. This musical journey of the believer takes its course through doubts and trials, to a reaffirmation of their faith.