On Friday March 31st the New York Staff Band headed to Columbus, Ohio to take part in this years God & Country concert held at The Church at Mill Run. The last time the NYSB was the guest band at G&C was in 2011. The God & Country concert series was established in 1986 to foster friendship, cooperation, and musical fellowship between musicians of The Salvation Army and musicians of the greater Columbus area, specifically the Brass Band of Columbus. In addition, the purpose of this event is: to honor God and Country through music, to recognize outstanding contributions to music and through music, and to assist youth with their musical development. It is always a pleasure for the band to participate at this event and play along side the Brass Band of Columbus.
The travel plans did not quite work out as planned – there were lots of delays on the way to Columbus, even leading to some members having to drive the whole way from JFK airport over night to make it… Needless to say we were pretty tired at time of arrival, but we were thankful everyone made it to Columbus safely.
On Saturday we were able to relax a bit in the morning and have a leisurely breakfast. Due to the uncertainty of our flights the previous night, the Saturday afternoon concert was cancelled. After lunch we headed to the Church to have a quick sound check and massed band rehearsal with the Brass Band of Columbus. The event has been hosted by the All Star Brass in past years and once again this year. They were great at helping wherever needed from setup to driving the NYSB around – thank you Eric Aho and the All Star Brass for all your help. After dinner it was time for God & Country 2017. The program was a mix of old and new – featuring a world premiere from Dorothy Gates “Holy Ground”. The NYSB’s major works were Leslie Condon’s “The Present Age” and Marcus Venables’ “I Surrender”. The house was packed and the audience was receptive to what both bands had to offer.
God & Country Program
Brass Band of Columbus
Marching Onward (Ivor Bosanko).
Star-Spangled Banner (arr. Susi)
New York Staff Band
Fanfare of Praise (Robert Redhead)
Holy Ground (Dorothy Gates) *World premiere
Brass Band of Columbus
Finale from ‘Symphony No. 3 (Vittorio Giannini)
Here at the Cross (James Curnow)
New York Staff Band
Flashback (Brian Bowen) Cornet Soloist: Brindley Venables
The Proclaimers (Kevin Norbury)
Brass Band of Columbus
The Prayer (arr. Trigg)
New York Staff Band
The Present Age (Leslie Condon)
Brass Band of Columbus
Jubilant Praise (James Curnow)
Cute (arr. Sparke)
New York Staff Band
I Surrender (Marcus Venables)
Brass Band of Columbus
Suite from ‘West Side Story’ (arr. Crees)
Massed Band
Excerpts from ‘The Little Russian’ (arr. Gordon)
O Magnum Mysterium (arr. Littlemore)
Valero (arr. Sandy Smith)
The Stars and Stripes Forever (Sousa)
The NYSB was on duty for Sunday morning worship at The Salvation Army Chapel at Worthington Woods Corps. The service featured the commissioning of Bandmaster Eric Snowden led by Executive Officer Lt. Colonel James LaBossiere – we pray God’s blessing on BM Snowden in his new role. It was a wonderful time of worship followed by a delicious lunch.
Sunday Morning Worship
Preliminary In Perfect Peace (Downie)
Offertory Beside the Sea (Mackereth)
Song TB #43 All Creatures
Band Chorus Peace (Gates)
Selections Reflections in Nature (Redhead)
When He Cometh (Evans) Euphonium Soloist: Ryan McCrudden
Song HC #93 Holy, Holy, Holy
Postlude Christ of Calvary (Collier)
Living Power (Davoren)
Fire in the Blood (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Thankfully everyone made it home safely and with no delays at the airport!
Next on the NYSB Calendar is:
May 10 – Nassau County Concert
May 13 – 130th Annual Festival with The Canadian Brass
Hope to see you there!
