Come expecting nothing and receive all you need. This was the motif William and Linda Himes set through the New York Staff Band’s retreat weekend in mid January. It was truly an honor to have such special Salvationist with us for the weekend. We started the retreat with slippery weather on Saturday morning but, by Sunday afternoon we left blessed, challenged, and refreshed by what the Himes’ offered us in music and in Spirit.
We started the retreat enjoying coffee and catching up in the Conference Center. We are frequently together as a band, so it was a change to start the weekend with each other in friendly fellowship including many of our spouses, a baby, and some babies on the way.
His name is often seen on music in rehearsals and performance, but what a unique experience in our sessions on Saturday to meet William Himes on a personal level, hearing the stories, experiences, and circumstances that created who he is today. And just as special was to meet the woman who stands alongside him, Linda, breaking the Bread for us from Nehemiah, and John. On Saturday morning bandsman Jon Quatela beautifully presented the cornet solo, I’d Rather have Jesus as part of our time together, followed in the afternoon by bandsman Ryan McCrudden reminding us with his euphonium that Christ is All.
After a truly blessed morning and afternoon together, we prepared to do what the band does best… listen to music, and eat! I don’t know if the restaurant in West Harlem, “Dinosaur Barbeque,” really knew what it was in for when Derek Lance called to make the reservations. I’m sure I speak for all in thanking Derek for knowing that each member of the band appreciated an endless supply of grilled meat, macaroni & cheese and cornbread! Aside from the phenomenal food, it was even better to get the time to sit around the table relaxing with each other as a band family. Following dinner it was on to “Jazz at Lincoln Center” and a time for us to sit back and listen. We were privileged to hear some newly commissioned works for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, including a six movement suite celebrating New Orleans culture that featured saxophonist Branford Marsalis and ended with dancing in the atrium.
Gathering on Sunday for worship with the band as a congregation is always a special time, and the Sunday of this retreat proved to be just that. We were clearly challenged by Bill’s tune and words, All that I am, presented to us on trombone by Lindsay Evans. It cannot be said enough what an honor it was to hear from William and Linda, but this time was made special as we freely shared with each other what God is doing in our lives.
Following lunch, the time came for us to work for the first time in two days as we made our way down to the band room for a rehearsal under the baton of B/M Himes. This was not a typical band rehearsal, but another experience of the man behind the music. We were taken through a piece that influenced Himes’ writing, Leidzen’s The Good Shepherd, a new work called Leidzen Montage, which he wrote for the Boston Brass and Chicago Staff Band featuring many of Leidzen’s classic solos, and, a classic Himes march, Motivation. This proved to be an excellent end to a great weekend. It is certain that we all walked away from our time spent together with more than we ever could have anticipated.
