OCTOBER 20-22, 2023 – The New York Staff Bands October ministry weekend was perhaps one of the most jammed packed weekends the band has undertaken in quite a while including a festival, a special retirement meeting at the CMT in NYC and Sunday morning worship at the new Manhattan Citadel Corps building in Harlem – all for the glory of God!
The NYSB, ETSS and a special guest soloist all met at the Montclair Citadel Corps on the Friday night to rehearse the massed items ready for the following evenings Fall Festival. The ETSS, several members of the band, and Territorial Music Department headed into NYC on Saturday morning to rehearse some special items for the retirement service of soon to be retired Commissioners Bamford before heading back to Montclair for the festival.
The NYSB and ETSS were excited to share the stage at Montclair Citadel Corps with the renowned vocal soloist and recently turned actor, Charlie Green, hailing from the UK. The NYSB had an exciting program of music including the much loved ‘Corpus Christi’ by Robert Redhead and Peter Grahams ‘Renaissance’. The NYSB and ETSS joined forces to present a new favorite among SA choral groups, ‘I Have Seen the Glory of the Lord’ and Harold Burgmayers arrangement of ‘Let the Walls Come Down also featuring Charlie Green as the final item of the night.
The band had an early start on Sunday morning in order to arrive at Manhattan Citadel on 125th St. in Harlem. This beautiful new corps and community center also the location for a seniors residence in a bustling neighborhood in Harlem. The main chapel features ceiling to floor glass windows so people passing by on the street can see Salvationists worshipping together each Sunday. A special moment in the morning meeting was presented by soldier, corps bandmaster and NYSB Euphonium, Devonte Thompson, as he played Richard Phillips arrangement of ‘There Will Be God.’
Band members either opted to take the Subway or drive down the island of Manhattan to 120 West 14th St. to the iconic CMT! The band, songsters, worship team and a massed singing company made up of young people from the GNY and NJ Divisions presented a beautiful evening of music and worship interspersed with special items and moments reflecting on the lives and good works of outgoing Territorial Commanders, William and Lorraine Bamford. It was a special evening and good way to cap off an extremely busy but fulfilling October ministry weekend!
