American Band Journal #42 (189-192)

Band Music for Evangelism

For centuries mankind has been praising God through the singing of hymns. This issue of the American Band Journal focuses on a number of hymns that are well-known and well-used throughout the Christian world.

Brian Bowen's powerful treatment of Diademata will give players and listeners alike and opportunity for a fresh approach to "Crown Him with many crowns". The hymn "O For a Thousand Tongues" (Azmon) has been arranged in a most exciting and majestic way by William Gordon; and, the 'selection', a form neglected in recent years, is re-visited in a most successful manner by Danish composer Erik Silfverberg with Spirit of the Pioneers. To round out this issue Kevin Norbury's march Courageous will prove to be popular and useful as it brings to mind the hymn tune "Cardiff' to which we sing "And can it be..."

All four of these items used together will give any band the beginnings of a 'great hymns' program. We are grateful to each of these composers for their contributions to the American Band Journal.

Ronald Waiksnoris
Territorial Music Secretary