Just a night at the Salvo's, or was there something else?

Last evening I went to hear Bands in the Round at Northcote Town Hall. Five Salvation Army Bands who each played for 25 minutes and in the supper room next door there were some Sallie Trade displays and the ubiquitous cup of tea and a few other goodies for physical nourishment. It is a very old Concept and I can remember it going back 40 plus years ago, but it has been revived and a good time was had by all.
There was Waverly Temple Band, Box Hill Citadel Band, Ringwood Citadel Band, Camberwell Citadel Band and of course the Melbourne Staff Band or the MSB as they re affectionately known in the Army. Although the sound system was not of a very high standard and we lost some of the vocal dialogue it was in essence a hugely successful event. My over-critical ear told me that, this piece was played too fast and that piece was not exactly how the notes looked on the musical score, but there were highlights aplenty for lovers of brass bands. However for me there was nothing greater than the Richards arrangement of the old standard; 'I'll Walk with God' by the MSB. The arrangement was fantastic and the interpretation to my 'over-critical ear' was supurb. With the words on the screen it made it the complete presentation for me. The only thing that spoiled it for me was the applause at the end. I heard someone say once that 'the ultimate accolade is silence', but unfortunately it is a concept that a lot of people struggle with; however....
A brilliant night.
I also caught up with a lot of memories, people who I hadn't seen for many years, someone I went to Trade School with, people I served with in the dark distant past and I was even hugged by someone who I trained with and is one of the most respected Salvo's in this part of the world, who I respect above most and who I hadn't seen in so many years and so in the two minutes we tried to catch up on all that has happenned over the last twenty plus years, not an insignificant feat. I saw people who I recognised but couln't get a name from my internal filing cabinet but the night was full of really good memories.
There was an element of the night for me that transformed this from a just great band program, it even surpassed the religious aspect which is at the heart of all Salvation Army programs, it was a wonderful exercise in people being connected with people. There was history here, the result of a lot of hard rehearsal time and obvious talent but what stood out for me was the fact that here was a community in love with itself; not in a negative manner but in an all encompassing, accepting manner that quite obviously wants to just open up its corporate arms and welcome you in, like the hug from my old friend.
This was all about the people. The music was great, the displays were good but it was for me all about the people.
Bring on the next 'Band in the Round'.