MAY 20-22, 2022 – The New York Staff Band engaged in a unique combination of service in the month of May. The band has been playing some exciting music this season which culminated in putting together a new recording project featuring repertoire from composers to hold the office of The Eastern Territory’s Music Editor position. Dynamic composers like Peter Graham, James Curnow, Kevin Norbury, Erik Leidzen, Brian Bowen, Stephen Bulla, Emil Soderstrom, and of course, our very own Dorothy Gates were included in the recording list… The best of the best was called to provide support in the control room – Philip Bulla (recording engineer), Marcus Venables, and Ron Waiksnoris.
The band started recording these pieces on Wednesday during our normal rehearsal time, and then finished up with recording sessions on Friday evening and Saturday morning. The list of music from these prolific composers includes the following:
Army of God – Emil Soderstrom
Trittico – James Curnow
Aubade – Kevin Norbury
Shenandoah – Dorothy Gates
Chorale and Toccata – Stephen Bulla
At the Master’s Feet – Erik Leidzen
Southern Cross – Brian Bowen
Essence of Time – Peter Graham
How Sweet the Name – James Curnow
Benediction – arr Dorothy Gates
During our recording sessions, I was moved by the music of Dorothy Gates. Specifically, her piece entitled “Benediction” left the band hushed at the fall of the final beat, as we felt the Holy Spirit move in the band room.
O Father, let Thy love remain,
O Son, may I Thy likeness gain,
O Spirit, stay to comfort me,
O Triune God, praise be to Thee.
I think this sums up the focus of the band when we travel the territory. Our mission is to point people to Jesus Christ through exceptional music performance and to enjoy the Lord’s presence as we join with other Salvationists. Benediction is a reminder that God the Father loves us, we are to keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit.
To continue in the ministry weekend, the band traveled to Nassau County, NY to participate in the 39th Annual Youth Enrichment Concert that benefits the Salvation Army’s work in Nassau County (Long Island). It was great to hear the Westbury Corps Youth Band and Timbrels as they performed a pre-concert in the fabulous venue, the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
The Staff Band opened the program with James Curnow’s “Faith is the Victory”. After the welcome and opening prayer, the band played three more selections: “The Risen King” by Andrew Wainwright, “The Conqueror” by Marcus Venables, and “For the Beauty of the Earth” by Dorothy Gates, which featured Daniel Wajda on Flugel Horn. Then we got to hear a testimony from NYSB first cornet and Long Island’s own, James Dorce, who is a college student studying music education at Queens College. James picked up a brass instrument for the first time in a Salvation Army Corps building and is a product of the music programs in Nassau County, and the Westbury Corps. James spoke of the legacy of music teachers, Soldiers, and Officers who encouraged him as a promising musician. The NYSB then played Kevin Norbury’s “Aubade”. After a devotional from Lt. Colonel Kathleen Steele, the first half closed with the test piece, “The Essence of Time” by Peter Graham.
The second half of the program kicked off with “New York, New York”, and “Sky Full of Stars”. We then had a front row seat to the Hempstead Youth & Teen Dance Company who brought the house down with their hop-hop moves and youthful smiles. Honestly, it was quite difficult to follow their act with Aaron VanderWeele playing the reflective euphonium solo, “A Little Prayer”, but he managed.
On Sunday morning, the band traveled to Hempstead Citadel for worship. Sunday mornings at a local Corps are the best moments with The New York Staff Band. The band joins local forces and gathers to worship and the spirit moves in our midst, and this Sunday was no different. The band played preliminary music items “Churchbury” by Richard Phillips, “Still” by Andrew Blyth, and “My Comfort and Strength” by Brian Bowen. There was such a wonderful spirit at the Hempstead Corps, and everyone was very welcoming. Before our Executive Officer Lt. Colonel Kathleen Steele brought the message, the band played Brian Bowen’s “Consecration”. Something that has become somewhat of a tradition for the NYSB now, we closed the worship service with Kevin Larsson’s “They Shall Come from the East”.
The ministry weekend concluded with members of the NYSB joining our Territorial Leaders at Kensico Cemetery to honor those who have gone before us in service.
The NYSB looks forward to upcoming opportunities to serve our great Territory and to point others to Jesus Christ through music. It is an honor to serve Him in this way.
Major Josh Lyle (NYSB First Cornet)
