It is not unusual for personnel changes to alter the makeup of the New York Staff Band from season to season as job requirements or family obligations change. However, in what has been an unusual year for the band comes a change in band leadership that is not typical, mid-season!
We say farewell to the Executive Officer of our last four seasons, as Lt. Colonel James LaBossiere and his wife Lt. Colonel Patricia LaBossiere take up an exciting new role as principals of the College for Officer Training in Suffern, NY.
Jim the Boss” has been influential and steadfast as the spiritual leader of the New York Staff Band. Always ready to roll his sleeves up and get the truck loaded after a Festival. Always available to talk to “the little old lady” in the front row after a Sunday morning meeting. Always willing to be the hands and feet of Christ to the players and other members of the band team.
Even though the New York Staff Band won’t miss the occasional sermon references to New England and Boston sports teams, we will certainly miss Lt. Colonel LaBossiere’s consistency and character. We wish him and Pat the best in their new appointments.
When asked about his time with the New York Staff Band, Lt. Colonel LaBossiere remembers a successful tour of Japan, countless Corps and Divisional Ministry Weekends, Future All Stars and even marching as highlights!
It has been a deep privilege to serve as the Executive Officer of the NYSB. The role truly is both inward and outward facing. The inward focus is a personal and pastoral aspect in ministry to members of the band. There is also the outward focus of chairing concerts, sharing a concise but direct Gospel message in those settings as well as interacting with those attending concerts and other events.
Derek Lance, Bandmaster of the New York Staff Band adds this, “Lt Colonel LaBossiere and I have been together on this journey since our literal first day in the positions. I could not think of a better person to share in these early days of leadership and to have as a mentor and leader. His influence on the band will be felt for years to come. It has been and absolute pleasure serving alongside a good friend”.
As we say goodbye to one Exec, we welcome another! Although not a stranger to the New York Staff Band, our new Executive Officer makes history as the first female Salvation Army Officer to hold the position and marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the band.
Lt. Colonel Kathleen Steele has been a playing member of the NYSB, specifically in the cornet section for 15 years, holding various seats and having previously served the band well as its secretary, undertaking all organizational and logistical work for monthly duty weekends and major tours.
Kathy brings a wealth of knowledge of how staff banding “works” and will be a fantastic bridge between the band members and the countless people we interact with in any given season while also understanding the spiritual needs of bandsmen and women that are committed to the ministry of the New York Staff Band.
Lt. Colonel Steele currently serves as Secretary for Communication at the Eastern Territory Headquarters and had the following to say about her time as a playing member of the band in addition to her thoughts in the new role of Executive Officer:
I have so many great memories and highlights it will be hard to share them all. There is a whole list of “big events” or tour memories, each with its own set of highlights. The list includes events like marching in the Rose Parade in 2000 and how friendly and encouraging people were as we marched past them. The International Congress in Atlanta, the ISB 120th, and the Boundless Congress, each with its own highlights too numerous to mention here. Tours to Great Britain, the West Coast, Norway and Sweden were absolutely fantastic. But of all the tours I’ve been on, I could never forget the enthusiasm of the worship of Salvationists in Cuba, or the warm welcome and hospitality of the people in Japan and I could not forget to mention the fantastic musicianship of the children in Japan that we had the privilege of sharing performances with.
There have also been many spiritual highlights, many of which have happened not in the big events, but in corps chapels or band rehearsals. More times than I can count, the testimonies of fellow NYSB members have both blessed and challenged me. As a member of the NYSB we get to witness and be a part of many spiritually enriching events. The words of songs that I can pray as I am playing have caused me to bring others and myself to the Lord in prayer. Being part of the NYSB in many ways has helped my personal spiritual growth through the times of fellowship, devotions, and prayer.
New Role as Executive Officer: There has been a long history of Executive Officers who have been godly leaders and examples to members of the NYSB. They have been enthusiastic champions of the ministry and mission of the band. It is very humbling and perhaps a bit overwhelming to now be counted among them. I will strive to be the best example of God’s love that I can be. I will continue the tradition of keeping the ministry and mission of spreading the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the music of the NYSB a priority. Whatever I can do to assist the band and provide leadership and encouragement I will do. Most importantly, together we will look to the Lord for His guidance and direction. I claim the verses in Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Please join the New York Staff Band in prayer for both Lt. Colonel LaBossiere and Lt. Colonel Steele in their new roles.
