MARCH 17-19, 2023 – Star Lake Camp has long been famous for its Musicamp and the Eric Ball march named after it, written during one particular summer time camp. That a music camp would become so well known when only gathering for one week out of each year is fascinating and is a testament to the depth of musical heritage found in the Eastern Territory. Each note played and each word sung and heard throughout the trees for that one week has been meaningful and special – an offering of praise but perhaps also representing a life changed.
However, since 2003, another Salvation Army musical event has been taking place at Star Lake Camp, albeit in the dead of an east coast winter, but also has been making a difference in the lives of young salvationist musicians just the same. The New York Staff Band Future All Stars Weekend held its 20th annual event from March 17-19, 2023, at the Star Lake Lodge and Conference Center, continuing the tradition of army music making that focuses on youth. For those not familiar with the event, young brass musicians, mainly from the eastern territory but occasionally other areas, apply online and send in a video audition as long as they meet the age and soldiership criteria. The students chosen form a large band along with the men and women of The NYSB who sit amongst the students. It is a model long used in music camp and corps bands in which more senior players guide and direct from within their section and has proven successful over the years for the FAW band.
As has been the case for many of the Future All-Star Weekends, several other aspects such as corporate devotions and prayer partners tie the event together and often times, special musical guests come along for the ride! The schedule is a hectic one as the final Sunday performance must be ready with only Friday evening and Saturday rehearsals! Breaks between playing are often quick but the kids are almost always up for the challenge and staff band members try to put on a brave face!
This year, we were pleased to welcome several fantastic people into the FAW family, the first being Captains Nate and Loreita Hinzman who currently serve as the Divisional Youth and Candidates Secretaries in the Massachusetts division. Loreita is a FAW alumni and certainly no stranger to the goings on of this special weekend. Nate and Loreita both served the students and staff band well as they brought thoughtful and well-prepared devotional times throughout the few days together. Each session focused on a different bible character and how that character dealt with the particular situation they found themselves in. There was certainly something for anyone present to relate to and was discussed further through the prayer partner times in which FAW students pair up with one or two staff band members.
Although the entire delegation didn’t get to hear them play until the second night, our musical guests – Andrew Hedley and Tom Nielsen were absolute stars on their respective instruments, euphonium and cornet/trombone on the Saturday night recital. Andrew has been playing euphonium in the ISB for several years whilst guesting with several of the top brass bands in the UK and is a member of the Chester le Street Corps in the north of England. An accountant by trade but could easily make a career as a professional musician, Andrew gave masterful performances of Philip Sparkes ‘Harlequin’, Chris Mallets ‘Travelling Along’ and ‘The Wonder of His Grace’ by Howard Davies. Andrew’s humility in performance and the way he carried himself throughout the weekend really made him stand out however, and was a perfect example of a good salvationist musician to all of the delegates. Tom Nielsen, a soldier of the Croydon Citadel Corps in London, was equally impressive during the recital and is one of the latest young cornetists born and bred in the SA to enter into the professional music world in a significant way, following in the footsteps of names like Phil Cobb and the Fountain brothers. Tom’s offerings during the recital were a little more eclectic but were delivered in stunning fashion nonetheless, to include ‘Caprice’ – Joseph Turrin, ‘Concert Scherzo’ – Alexander Arutunian, ‘David of the White Rock’ – arr. Ray Bowes and ‘Im stile von Albeniz’ – Rodion Shchedrin arr. Timofei Dockschitzer. Andrew and Tom also joined forces to present two duets, ‘Battleground’ by Paul Sharman and a mesmerizing rendition of ‘Candle of the Lord’ – Joy Webb arr. Peter Graham although it wouldn’t be the last time hearing them over the weekend.
The Future All Star Band certainly had its work cut out as this year’s repertoire was significant and took much mental energy to engage in such meaningful music throughout the heavy rehearsal schedule. Pieces such as Barrie Gotts ‘Light-walk’ and ‘David Danced’ by Dorothy Gates were fun and lighthearted but it was also good to contrast some old and new. ‘The Ambassadors’ by Peter Graham and written for the NYSB’s world tour 40 years ago has become a standard in SA Festival Marches and provided music with lots of nuance for the delegates to work on. A fairly new piece, ‘Hear the Call’ by Marcus Venables has really been a hit with all who have played it so far and is a fantastic concert opener based on the modern-day hymn, ‘O Church Arise’ by Keith and Kristen Getty. Two significant works were presented by the FAW Band this year and again, much contrasting in age and style. The first being Eric Balls classic, ‘Resurgam’. This is very serious music for players as young as 13 to get to grips with but they did so with much enthusiasm and respect and the finished product certainly came off well as the reflective piece was received in silence at its conclusion. A newer but already favorite piece in brass band circles, ‘Fearless’ by Andrew Wainwright gave the FAW Band some more notes to dig into and the opportunity to open up a bit! Two SA songs are featured in this work – a newer version of Stan Ditmers ‘I’m in His Hands’ by Phil Laeger and another modern day salvationist song, ‘Soldiers Hymn’ by Marty Mikles. Andrew and Tom also featured on the final program playing Peter Grahams ‘Brillante’ and William Himes ‘Caprice for Cornet’ respectively. Joining forces once again and accompanied by the New York Staff Band, Andrew and Tom presented Kevin Norbury’s ‘Joyous Service’ originally written for Gordon Ward and Aaron Vanderweele.
There were the usual highlights at FAW23 such as the Sunday morning worship in which heartfelt testimonies were given by delegates and NYSB members alike. Moments working through difficult parts in the music during sectional rehearsals and where relationships throughout the sections were formed. A few moments of free time here and there to reconnect with one another and make new friendships. There are so many positive aspects to the Annual Future All Stars Weekend and we are sure that lasting impressions were made once again, ensuring a bright future for brass worship music in The Salvation Army.
