Christmas is a special time of year for any brass musician within The Salvation Army and it is no different for the members of the New York Staff Band. For 2016, the NYSB Christmas weekend consisted of a concert at the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ridgewood, NJ and our annual trip to the Manhattan Adult Rehabilitation Center.
This was our second year in a row at the church in Ridgewood and the concert is certainly growing in momentum. It is an absolutely beautiful church with wonderful acoustics and is such a treat to visit. We were also joined on the night by the Montclair Citadel Singing Company led by NYSB alumni Emilee Bennett and the Assistant Divisional Music Director, Felipe Concha who would lead us in a very fun carol sing.
Some of the highlights for the evening include “Three Kings Swing” by William Himes, “Lux Aurumque” by Eric Whitacre (arr Andrew Poirier) and “A Christmas Finale” by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.
Since we were very close to home base for the band, it was wonderful to see so many friends, family members and NYSB alumni in the audience. This was a special night of Christmas music and hope to continue this tradition moving forward.
Saturday Night Concert Program
Fanfare: Christians Awake – Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Away in a Manger – Robert Redhead
Three Kings Swing – William Himes
Silent Night – Dorothy Gates (Band Chorus)
Candelight Carol – Andrew Wainwright (Soloist Michael Baker)
Lux Aurumque – Eric Whitacre arr Andrew Poirier
Devotional – Lt Colonel James LaBossiere
Corpus Christi – Robert Redhead
Time of Singing (Felipe Concha)
Comfort and Joy – Martyn Thomas
Shining Star – Peter Graham
Seek Him (Montclair Singing Company)
All in the Book (Montclair Singing Company)
Congregational Song – O Come All Ye Faithful
A Christmas Finale – Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Christmas Joy – Erik Leidzen
The second part of our weekend is one of the highlights for the band each and every year. We once again travelled to the Manhattan Adult Rehabilitation Center where we would participate in and lead worship.
There are many reasons why this is a highlight for the band but the main reason is to hear the wonderful testimonies from the men and women in the Center about how God is transforming their lives through the work of The Salvation Army. This is certainly a blessing for the members of the band and such an absolute joy to see the Lord working in their lives. After the time of testimony, which included members of the band as well, the band gave a full reading of Robert Redhead’s masterpiece, “Corpus Christi”. The main themes of “Bind us together” and “Give Thanks” take on brand new meaning after hearing these powerful stories of transformation and the band responded with a performance that was full of conviction and power.
This Sunday is one of the key events on the calendar for the New York Staff Band and a tradition that will continue into the future and continue to be a source of encouragement for the members of the band.
Sunday Morning – Manhattan ARC
Infant Holy – Andrew Blyth
Fanfare: Christians Awake – Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Away in a Manger – Robert Redhead
Comfort and Joy – Martyn Thomas
Welcome, Announcements and Prayer
Carol—O Come all ye faithful (Himes)
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Offering (Offertory – Karen Shaffstall)
Shining Star – Peter Graham
Three Kings Swing – William Himes
Silent Night – Dorothy Gates (Band Chorus)
Testimonies led by Andrew Boynton
Corpus Christi – Robert Redhead
Message – Lt Colonel James LaBossiere
Carol – Joy to the World
Benediction
A Christmas Finale – Paul Lovatt-Cooper
