Spanning our spectacular country from Vancouver Island to Bonavista, his is the sweetest soprano sound this side of heaven.
A few months ago, at 72, Robert Middleton Jr., soprano cornet player in the Cariboo Hill Temple band, Vancouver, came out of four years of retirement, adding to his fifty plus years in that chair. Bob missed the unique fellowship in Salvation Army banding and noticed that the chair he left vacant had not been filled.

In earlier days, and following a concert in which the Vancouver Temple band rendered “Sound out the Proclamation” and “King of Kings,” he was warmly and enthusiastically complimented by Eric Ball, the elite composer of brass band music.

After recording the solo “An Irish Melody,” the composer, Bandmaster Norman Audoire of the Montreal Citadel band, told Bob in writing that he played it exactly the way it was intended to be played. Colonel Ernie Parr, the dean of soprano cornet soloists, also weighed in with the accolades. Following this recording Bob received invitations from as far away as New Zealand. His dad often said to his mother, “The boy’s got it!”

Bob began this pilgrimage at age five on his grandfather’s old Boosey Bb cornet. This instrument remains a part of his collection that includes Salvation Army Triumph, Beuscher, Besson, Getzen, Sovereign, Courtois, Smith-Watkins, Kanstul, Schilke and the best, the new Yamaha Xeno. Throughout the years he has used an old ‘Goldsmith’ mouthpiece, also the favourite of the late Colonel Ernie Parr.

The soprano part in a band is one of the ‘lone ranger’ positions, along with the flugel horn and the bass trombone. “It requires nerves of steel, confidence and a strong embouchure” says Bob.

Bob cut his musical teeth on the Arbans tutor and was taught solely by his father, a very accomplished player in his own right. He listened to every Salvation Army band recording he could get his hands on with the express purpose of listening to the soprano part. His sweet sound came naturally.

Bob initially played Bb cornet in the young people’s band at Vancouver Temple and also trumpet in the school band. He wasn’t turned on to the soprano cornet until his dad came back from a band trip to Portland, Oregon, where he had subbed for the regular soprano player. Bob was intrigued by the smallness of the case his dad was carrying immediately fell in love with the tiny instrument inside.

Bob has played under the leadership of five bandmasters; Clif Gillingham, Gordon Bain, Aubrey Millward, Roy Cornick and David Michel.

Naturally, his favourite band numbers include terrific soprano parts and include “Recollection, Symphony of Thanksgiving, King of King, Exodus, Songs in Exile, Road to Emmaus” and, “Freedom from sin”, just to name a few.

This ‘sweet’ soprano sound can be heard on the Cariboo Hill Temple band Christmas recording, ‘Carols for the City” in the solo, ‘Little Lord Jesus.’ Published in 1997 or his solo ‘Pastoral’ recorded on ‘Hymns for the City’ in 1999.

This great player has some words of advice for budding young musicians: “Have a passion and commitment to the instrument and the part. Always remember the true purpose for making music. Play from the heart rather than simply playing perfect notes.”

Bob continues to lean on the words from Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Sweetest sound for the sweetest name?

“Sweetest note in seraph song,
Sweetest name on mortal tongue,
Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus! Blessed Jesus!” (the chorus of hymn 67)

by Merv Leach