JULY 28 – AUGUST 1, 2023 – The Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings have been a source of refreshment and blessing for countless Salvationists for decades and each year attracts other local residents and visitors in where they get a glimpse of Salvation Army life as a church while being exposed to some of the highest standard musical worship.
The New York Staff Band was once again pleased to be on duty for this annual event and was especially pleased to welcome the Canadian Staff Songsters under the leadership of Major Leonard Ballantine and Cathie Koehnen. The USA East Territorial Worship Band also supplemented worship during the Sunday morning worship service in addition to serving down at the Pier Ministry.
The NYSB and CSS joined together for what is becoming an OOB tradition…the Friday night concert in the OOB Corps Hall. This is a nice intimate venue and a great opportunity for the OOB corps to host friends and family in an informal worship. The NYSB opened with Dudley Brights well known march, ‘Assignment’ immediately followed by Leonard Ballantines lush arrangement of the tune Shenandoah – ‘Mid all the Traffic’. The CSS followed after a couple more NYSB items and presented several songs made famous during Ballantines leadership of the International Staff Songsters in London. It was a great concert and fantastic way to set off a weekend full of meaningful musical worship.
Both the NYSB and CSS contributed to the Saturday evening meeting in the OOB Pavilion in addition to Sunday Morning worship. Each group represented well but were perhaps overshadowed (in the best way possible) by the large ARC choir that sang so well and was an authentic offering of worship through song.
After a quick lunch both groups lined up at the top of the hill for the yearly march of witness down to the OOB Pier for a traditional afternoon ‘open air’. The CSS featured several soloists, and a wide variety of musical styles included a favorite well known song from the movie ‘Sister Act’. Following the open air, both groups took a quick break for a lobster roll or dip in the ocean before going back to the Pavilion for the Sunday evening meeting.
After a quieter day Monday, except for some rehearsals and worship for the community family program led by an ensemble from the CSS, both groups were in anticipation of the special festival the following evening. The visiting section traditionally presents their own concert, now on the Tuesday evening of camp meetings, however, it was a treat for both the NYSB and CSS to share the stage in a night filled with inspiring music. The NYSB gave the US premiere of a new Brenton Broadstock piece entitled ‘Prayers and Tribulations.’ Written in response to the COVID Pandemic, the music is chaotic in essence but interspersed with the chorus ‘In Thee O Lord, do I put my Trust.’ It was a powerful presentation, leaving the room in reverent silence at the conclusion. Major Leonard Ballantine was taking his final bow as director of the CSS and programmed a new work that had been near and dear to his heart. In very similar fashion the NYSB’ CREATION, Ballantine and the CSS presented original music depicting the creation story found in Genesis. After a powerful joint presentation of ‘More than Wonderful’ arranged as a songster piece originally but with the addition of brass parts the NYSB and CSS concluded an inspiring several days of musical ministry together.
