The title page of the manuscript reveals that this overture was composed "for the London Citadel Band on the occasion of the one-hundredth anniversary of Salvation Army banding in Canada". The conductor of that band was Bram Gregson.
The music is not difficult and there are no excessive technical demands. The only passages that may require some drilling are sections C, and G through I. In the four bars of C the band becomes a 'Broadway' pit orchestra. This passage is intended as a surprise, so try to avoid the 'joke' getting out too early! Sections G through I feature rhythmis pattersn that may need to be drilled in order to achieve consistency.
This overture is short and can be programmed easily. It is based on five tunes which are, in order of appearance: Old Hundredth (TB 38), Ring the bell, watchman (TB 776), All through the years (TBCS 147), Lift up the banner (TB 106), and the Monkland (TB 286).
Level of Difficulty: Moderately easy
