Salvation Army Brass Bands are generally used in three different types of settings: Worship/Holiness Meeting support, Outreach, and Festival/Concert. The New York Staff Band was used in all three settings in a jammed packed 5 engagement, 5 city trip during their visit to the NEOSA (Northeast Ohio) Division the weekend of October 18-20.
After a smooth flight and a memorable meal at the Cleveland Hallmark Restaurant Melt, the band travelled an additional two hours to the city of Toledo, the furthest corps north and west in the eastern territory. Over 400 people gathered at the Westgate Chapel to hear the Staff Band in Concert. Organized by the corps officers and Northwest Ohio Area Services Coordinators, Captain Kevin Zanders and Captain Tawny Cowen-Zanders, the band was received well by over 400 people from five divisions across three different territories! Items played during this program included War Cry by the band’s chorus leader and resident composer, Dr. Dorothy Gates, the Ohio premier of Marcus Venables’s new cornet solo, Essence of Faith, played well by Derek Lance, the always fresh and unique percussion feature, Ol’ Man River (Mark Freeh) featuring Bob Jones, and a major work by Steven Ponford- The Day of The Lord. The overwhelming highlight of the evening was the performance of former band member Major Donna Peterson’s arrangement of To God Be the Glory played by the band and sung by the combined choruses from the Akron, Cleveland, and Toledo Adult Rehabilitation Centers. Hearing 101 voices sing these tireless words by Fanny Crosby to Major Peterson’s tune was very powerful.
On Saturday, the band had two very different engagements. During the morning, the band presented a 50 minute outreach concert at South Park Mall in Strongsville, a suburb on the southwest side of the city of Cleveland. Featured items in this lighter-open air setting included Glorious Ventures (Graham) played by the longtime principal cornet player and deputy bandmaster of the band, Gordon Ward, You Raised Me Up (Gates) played by euphonium soloist Ryan McCrudden, and Dorothy Gate’s take on the Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry, Be Happy, called Philippians 4:6. While it is difficult to measure in numbers how many officially attended the program at the mall, from walking around and interacting with employees and shoppers within all parts of the mall, it was clear that many were listening and paying attention to the music. The goal of planting the seed of Christ and The Salvation Army in those in earshot was clearly accomplished.
The band served as the duty band for the gathering of over 900 people at the NEOSA Divisional Soldier’s Rally. In this support role, the band accompanied the congregational songs and played a few items on their own, including Amazed and Troops Salute, both by Paul Sharman. The band joined with the NEOSA Brass, the divisional band of the NEOSA Division, for two items by Kevin Larsson: Temple 125 and They Shall Come from the East. For me, it is special when the staff band interacts with young musicians. The support by the band of the Akron Citadel, Ashland, and Cleveland West Park beginning brass programs combining to play Muffins Rhapsody (William Himes) will give these 20 youngsters something to remember for years to come.
Sunday morning, the band conducted the worship services at the Akron Citadel Corps. Akron Citadel is one of the largest corps in the NEOSA Division and is rich in history. Over 150 people were in attendance for the service to witness God in action through the music and testimonies of the band. The executive officer of the band and Cleveland native, Lt. Colonel Maynor, brought the word and challenged us to be courageous in our faith.
The final engagement of the band was an afternoon festival at the OJ Work Auditorium in the city of Wadsworth. The music offered during this festival mirrored the venue: newer works featured alongside older classics. The band offered up Leslie Condon’s standard: Easter Glory, the middle movement of a lesser heard tone poem of Ray Steadman-Allen called Logos, in addition to the band version of Philip Wilby’s Wondrous Cross and Dorothy Gates arrangement of Feelin’ Good. The performance of the Staff Band was introduced by two items from the Wadsworth High School Jazz Band, including a Stan Kenton style arrangement of Amazing Grace. Congratulations to the jazz band on a fine performance. The more than 200 people in attendance certainly appreciated the combined efforts of both groups.
The band was certainly busy throughout their time in the NEOSA Division. Despite late nights, a fair amount of playing, and five different venues, it was very clear that God was using and speaking through their music and words. The NEOSA Division is grateful for the band and their ministry. We are already looking forward to their next visit in the years to come.
by Eric Dina – Divisional Music Director (NEOSA Division)
