SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2022 – The first ministry weekend for the New York Staff Band’s 2022-23 season was a bit different than in recent years. Instead of accompanying new Cadets with rousing music as they enter the College for Officer Training, the band celebrated its 135th anniversary with a reunion! Territorial Headquarters was filled with the chatter and laughter of current and former Staff Band members coming together and catching up with one another. After a welcome from current Staff Bandmaster Derek Lance and Executive Officer Lt. Colonel Kathleen Steele, the weekend was officially underway!
The first aspect of the weekend, aptly titled “Through the Decades,” featured notable anecdotes and memories from the band’s history from the 1950s and up. Some of the highlights mentioned were the band being on-duty for the opening of the Army’s work in Puerto Rico, the admittance of women into the band, and the many tours the band has undertaken (including the 1982 world tour). A sort-of through line through many of the memories shared was the band remaining viable in its mission to serve the present age and point others towards Jesus. We are indebted to Vernon Post Jr., Derek Smith, Ron Waiksnoris, Ian Anderson, Pete Russell, and Gus Berry for giving us a snapshot of their time in the band.
Following this time of reflection, everyone gathered into the band room for a session of playing through a myriad of different pieces led by Derek Lance, former Staff Bandmasters Derek Smith & Ron Waiksnoris, and former composer-in-residence Peter Graham. Each piece had some sort of significance to the band’s history, whether it was written specifically for the band/territory (such as Kevin Norbury’s scintillating march “The Proclaimers” and Peter Graham’s “Hail SLC” & groundbreaking “Shine as the Light”) or was used by the band over the years (Eric Ball’s “Sound Out the Proclamation” & Wilfred Heaton’s “Praise,” for example, fit in this category). It was a great way to kick off what would be a memorable weekend together.
The weather on Saturday was perfect for a baseball game! The group took a field trip to The Bronx to watch the New York Yankees take on and ultimately crush the Boston Red Sox 7-5. After arriving back to THQ and having dinner together, Derek Lance shared some of his personal highlights of the band’s ministry over the past twenty years. While the celebratory occasions such as the 2000 Atlanta Congress, ISB120, the premiere of Dorothy Gates’ “The Glory of Jehovah,” and the recent concert with the Cory Band were mentioned, Lance also took the time to reflect on some of the more difficult aspects of this season. This included the promotion to glory of longtime Assistant Territorial Music Secretary Tom Scheibner, and the band’s ministry during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our evening program featured several Staff Bandsmen in a recital, expertly accompanied by Rhonda Venables & Dr. Dorothy Gates. There was a great wealth of repertoire showcased, ranging from Bob Venables’ toe-tapping take on Mark Condon’s “Man of Galilee” (featuring high-class trumpet playing AND singing), the technically demanding “Vallflickans Dans” handled with apparent ease by Aaron VanderWeele, Chris Webster’s take on Ostein Baadsvik’s “Fnugg” (highlighting vocal multiphonics), and the like. Ron Waiksnoris and Ian Anderson ended this portion of the evening rather appropriately with William Himes’ Cornet duet “Faithfulness” before Commissioner Mark Tillsley came to bring the Word. The evening festivities were brought to a close with a viewing of the current Staff Band’s latest undertaking: “The Creation Story,” premiered during the Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings earlier this year.
Sunday morning worship services are usually the highlight of any Staff Band ministry weekend and this one was no exception. Everyone gathered in the THQ Railton Hall for a wonderful time of worshipping the Lord through song and focused prayer. Christian Riesebieter & Captain Jonathan Quatela shared musical testimonies through Andrew Wainwright’s “You’re Always There” and Major Thomas Mack’s “Renewed Covenant,” respectively, and Peter Vaughn reflected on how the Lord used many Staff Bandsmen over the years to speak into his life. Commissioner Tillsley once again brought the Word, this time focusing on Matthew 5:14-16 and digging into what it truly means to “shine as the light.” The weekend ended through the singing of “Rock of Ages” and as everyone went their separate ways, we could not help but be thankful to God for using the New York Staff Band for 135 years, while looking with anticipation to see how He would continue to use us to serve the present age and win souls back to Him.
By Fred Mbesi (NYSB First Horn)
