Sunday, November 16, 2008

On the way home...

We had two nice worship services at the Covenant Church in Manistee and after lunch with members of the church we are on the bus heading home in what is sometimes significant snow. I for one am glad that our bus driver Ed is taking care of the driving. It's not horrible, but after a weekend like we've had I'm thankful to not be behind the wheel.

Congratulations to Major Langham and her crew on a great weekend. We pray that our time together will be useful to the Salvation Army in Manistee.

I promised in my posting last night to provide the band geeks out there with our play list from the concert. If you're not interested in that, stop reading because that's all that's left.

"Fanfare of Praise"
"The Good Old Way"
"Joshua Swings The Battle" (Ben Kinzie, soloist)
"The Wonder of it All" (vocal selection)
"Soon and Very Soon" (vocal selection, Karl Strand, soloist)
"Concert Piece For Trombone" (Brett Tolcher, soloist)
"Journey Into Freedom"
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"
INTERMISSION
"Bringing In The Sheaves"
"The Great Adventure" (Shaun Thomas, soloist)
"He's Always Been Faithful" (Heidi Strand, soloist)
Scripture (Lt. Colonel Mickey McLaren)
"Renaissance"
"Manhattan"
"Choral Benediction"

Saturday, November 15, 2008

On the road again...

The CSB travelled today to Manistee, MI. Manistee is about 6 hours drive from our headquarters in Des Plaines, IL. It's on the western coast of the Michigan lower peninsula... that means it's on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. The 2000 census lists the population of Manistee at 6,586. So, it's definitely, "small town America". Just to prove that, Midwest Living Magazine voted it "One Of The Top 100 Best Small-Town Getaways" for 2007. And having been here it's easy to see why. The country is beautiful and the people are what you would expect from the middle of America.

Now, our visit coincides with the opening of deer season here in Michigan. Perhaps that explains the number of "unaccompanied" ladies in the concert this evening.

Major Jo Langham is the Salvation Army officer in charge of our work in Manistee. She has done a really fantastic job of promotion and accommodation for this visit. And, it paid off... there was a really nice crowd at Guardian Angels Church this evening. After that concert we moved our stuff over to the Faith Covenant Church and set up for two worship services (8:30 am & 11:00 am) tomorrow.

Major Langham has been assisted in the efforts for the weekend by Salvation Army officers from Alma, MI, Luddington, MI and Cadillac, MI. Many of us know these officers from their time at the College for Officer Training in Chicago and it was good to get to visit with them again.

Well, it's late and in order to be ready for that 8:30 am service tomorrow we have to leave at 7:45. So, I'd best sign off. I'll write more later and won't forget to post the concert items from this evening when I do.

Good night!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Worship Arts Retreat

I've just gotten home from the Central Territory Worship Arts Retreat held at Wonderland Camp and Conference Center. The CSB was on duty Friday night through Sunday at noon. The theme of the weekend was Worship Warriors and it featured times of praise, worship, instruction from the word and a host of workshops aimed at increasing our effectiveness of worship. The CSB functioned as the duty band for plenary sessions as well as providing assistance to the many guest clinicians that were present for the weekend.

Speaking of clinicians there were many gathered from all over including Major Kevin Metcalf, Graeme Press, Neil Smith, Rich Swingle, Bernie Dake, Peter Baird, Greg Payton, David Andrews, Marie-Ange Hayden, William Himes, Peggy Thomas and Martyn Thomas. From the list, you can guess that there was no lack of quality in the instruction given.

Sprinkled in the middle of the plenary sessions each delegate participated in a small group Bible study of the Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 121-134) led by members of the CSB and Bill Booth Theater Company.

In addition to the CSB the weekend was supported by members of the Bill Booth Theater Company, The Singing Company and even Resource Connection.

On Sunday morning our new territorial leaders Commissioners Barry and Sue Swanson spoke to us during a pair of worship services.

The weekend was a great time of refreshment, reminder and instruction for those involved in and partially responsible for worship in our corps. Unfortunately, my observation is that the event wasn't nearly as well attended as it probably should have been. I suppose a "glass half empty" guy might observe that perhaps worship isn't the priority it should be in the territory. On the other hand, a "glass half full" person might assume that worship is in such good shape in the territory that it wasn't necessary for more people to attend.

Whatever the case, the Lord blessed those who were there with His presence and I believe corps that were represented stand to benefit in the days ahead.

For the band geeks that read my writings I suppose I should tell you some of the items we played either as prelude music or during the plenary sessions. (Non band geeks need not read further.) These are in addition to a number of song accompaniments we did either alone or together with the Singing Company.
  • Manhattan
  • Joshua Swings the Battle (soloist: Ben Kinzie)
  • Exeter Temple
  • When I Remember (soloist: Beth Cooper)
  • Renaissance
  • In Christ Alone
  • Garments of Peace (soloist: Peggy Thomas)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Summer Break Ends

The break the CSB has from the end of our Commissioning Weekend until just after Labor Day in the USA is now over. We returned to the band room on September 2 and have had two rehearsals to get ready for the Public Welcome of the Cadets (this Friday at the Mayfair Community Church - 7:30 pm) and the retirement service of our territorial leaders, Commissioners Ken & Joy Baillie (this Saturday at the Norridge Citadel Corps - 10:00 am). Two rehearsals are probably not enough but they will have to do.

Personnel changes in the band for this season have been pretty minimal. Leaving the band after many years of service are Mary Kim (solo horn), Bob Ferrantelli (trombone) and Ev Jordan (eb bass). Mary Kim is now Cadet Mary Kim and we will participate in her public welcome as a Cadet on Friday night.

To fill these gaps Meredith Flinn joins the horn section having relocated to the area from Pasadena, CA to attend school at Trinity International University. Sang Kim, a former member of the trombone section has found it possible to return. After all is said and done and the Bandmaster shifted things around, we have only a single 2nd baritone opening which will remain open for the time being.

That pretty much brings you up to speed on where we are. More to come about our weekend events after they're over.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Porter County, IN

We've just boarded our bus in Porter County, IN that will take us back to territorial headquarters following a concert last night in Porter County and a worship service at the Porter County Salvation Army this morning.

The concert last evening was held at Liberty Bible Church. It was a little unusual in that it started at 6:00 pm which is earlier than our normal start time. Because Porter County is so close to home (under 2 hours drive time) we didn't need to leave until after lunch. That gave us time to take care of some things at home we don't normally tend to on CSB weekends away. For my part that meant mowing and trimming the yard and having lunch with my son and wife.

The concert last night included the following:
  • In Good Company
  • Glory To His Name (B. Cooper, soloist)
  • Walk In The Light
  • Soon & Very Soon (K. Strand, soloist)
  • How Blest Are Those
  • Testimony (M. Thomas)
  • Glorious Fountain (S. Thomas, soloist)
  • Journey Into Freedom
  • Voluntary on Old 100th
  • Day of Wonders (cornet feature)
  • Pilgrim Song
  • Come to Jesus (M. Hanton, soloist)
  • Scripture (M. McLaren)
  • Sing Praises
  • Choral Benediction
The concert did feature our first public performance of Eric Ball's "Journey Into Freedom". An honest assessment of the performance from my chair would be "that and better will do".

This morning we joined with Salvationists and friends of the Porter County Corps for a worship service. We attempted to blend into their regular pattern of worship, trying to supplement with our own musical offerings. This congregation is small but the spirit was nevertheless present. Our Executive Officer spoke to us about "Your Future" using Luke 16:19-31 as his text.

The bus is very quiet at the moment in large part due to the sumptuous brunch we were provided before beginning our journey back home.

This was the last weekend away for the CSB this season. We will be on duty the Sunday of our territorial Youth Congress and Commissioning. But that will be a Sunday only. In addition, we're scheduled to do some recording on Tuesday evening.

I'll write reflections on the season as a whole soon. Thanks for reading!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Minnesota Twin Cities Report

It's been over a week since the CSB was in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN but I really haven't had much time to write to share with you my impressions of the weekend. Hopefully life will get more reasonably paced so I can write more frequently, but I'm not real hopeful.

At any rate we did have a wonderful weekend in the Twin Cities. Our departure on Saturday morning wasn't super early for a change. But since we were flying we all had to leave in time to be able to park, ride the shuttle to the terminal and check in. It was a minor miracle I guess that both going and coming we were a few minutes ahead of the published airline schedule. The flights were uneventful and we were blessed with safe travel.

Bob and Connie trucked our equipment to and from Minnesota and that always makes our air travel a lot less complicated. They always do a great job for us when called upon. It is a real blessing to have them along on any trip that we take with them.

Upon arrival we set up and had a quick lunch before working with the members of the Northern Youth Band. Our time with them consisted of a short massed band rehearsal followed by sectionals. It was fun for me to sit between and work with Nate and Jake in the massed setting. I've met Nate at CMI before but it was my first time meeting Jake. Then we had fun working through the tricky bits in a short sectional that followed. You'll see in the program items I will list below that the CSB and Northern Youth Band combined for a couple of items Saturday evening.

Saturday evening the Trinity Baptist Church was full for an evening concert. It was great to see a lot of people we have known over the years and to make new friends as well. A copy of the play list for Saturday night is listed below but the newest players from the Lakewood Temple Corps were featured in "American Celebration" and the Northern Youth Band played "Righteousness, Peace and Joy". Also, Saturday marked the debut of Shaun Thomas playing "Glorious Fountain" a cornet solo played on his euphonium.

Following Saturday evening we made the long trek to Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie to set up for two services on Sunday morning. This church has seven worship services over the weekend and it had been arranged for us to participate in two of their traditional worship services. It was a little tricky because they were in two different locations so we had to move quickly from one service to another.

After a wonderful morning of worship at Wooddale we had a lovely lunch before heading back to the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport and our flight home. This weekend was surely a wonderful and blessed opportunity of service and worship.

For the band geeks that are still reading, here is the play list from Saturday night. I apologize to the composers for not listing them... hopefully they will understand.

  • "In Good Company"
  • "Post Bellum Rhapsody"
  • "Glory To His Name" (Beth Cooper, soloist)
  • Vocal selections - "I Will Call Upon The Lord" & "Celebration"
  • Testimony - Josh Turner
  • "Ashokan Farewell"
  • "American Celebration" (featuring the Lakewood Temple beginners)
  • "To World's Unknown"
  • "Northern Brass"
  • "Righteousness, Peace & Joy" (solo item by Northern Youth Band)
  • "Walk In The Light"
  • "Glorious Fountain" (Shaun Thomas, soloist)
  • "Artist of My Soul" (Heidi Strand, soloist)
  • Scripture - Lt. Colonel McLaren
  • "Precious Fountain" (CSB & Northern Youth Band)
  • "ARC Centennial" (CSB & Northern Youth Band)
  • "O Boundless Salvation" (Congregation, CSB & Northern Youth Band)
  • "Choral Benediction"

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

This Weekend in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN

It's been a bit busy and I've had little time to blog. Sorry about that...

At any rate, the CSB will be in the Twin Cities this weekend. Here's the information I have that some of you may be interested in. If you're in the area, we'd love to see you.

Saturday, April 19

Concert at Trinity Baptist Church
2220 Edgerton Street
Maplewood, MN 55117
6:30 pm

Sunday, April 20

Worship services at Wooddale Church
6630 Shady Oak Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
9:00 am and 10:15 am

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Lansing, MI Concert

The CSB travelled by bus to Lansing, MI earlier today. The events of the weekend included a concert this evening and will conclude with a worship service tomorrow morning. The concert this evening was well attended at the beautiful South Church in Lansing. This venue came highly recommended to us by Bandmaster Himes who had been there when Lansing hosted the Melbourne Staff Band about 18 months ago. He was correct... the facility is beautiful and a good place to play.

So far we have been well hosted by Majors Robert and Alice Scott who are the Capital Area commanders for the Salvation Army. In addition to many from the local area it was great to see a number of people who travelled to Lansing from Detroit, Flint, Port Huron, Kalamazoo and Mt Clemens. I've probably missed a few other places.

The concert this evening was presented compliments of Dart Bank and for that we and the Salvation Army in the Capital Area are grateful.

Tomorrow (Sunday, March 30) we will participate in a 10:30 am worship service at Peoples Church in East Lansing before we take the bus back home.

For those who are still reading the program for the evening follows:

  • Milestone
  • Pilgrim Song
  • Glory To His Name (Beth Cooper, soloist)
  • Band Chorus: Celebration & How Blest Are Those
  • I Walked Today (Brett Tolcher, soloist)
  • Testimony (Mary Kim)
  • Ashoken Farewell
  • Post Bellum Rhapsody
  • Northern Brass
  • Festival of Thanksgiving
  • Artist of My Soul (Heidi Strand, soloist)
  • Scripture (Lt. Colonel Mickey McLaren)
  • Onward Christian Soldiers
  • Stars and Stripes Forever
  • Choral Benediction

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Holy Week

Our spring break is over and we were back in the rehearsal room last Tuesday. We're busy getting ready for our visit to Lansing, MI but that doesn't take place until after Easter.

Speaking of Easter, we began Holy Week today by celebrating Palm Sunday at our respective Salvation Army corps today. It doesn't really have anything to do with the CSB since the only time we will be together during the week will be at rehearsal on Tuesday evening. But in another sense it has everything to do with the CSB since the events of this week provides all of the motivation for what we try to do as a band in sharing the gospel wherever and whenever we are together. In particular without the events of Good Friday and the joy of Easter morning there would be no Salvation Army and hence no Chicago Staff Band.

So, I for one, will observe carefully the events of this week. If nothing more I want to be reminded of what Christ did for me so that I can serve him more fully.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

"Spring Break Week"

It's official!

The Chicago Staff Band will be taking a spring break from rehearsal this week. There's a host of reasons for it including the prediction of more snow for the Chicago area. Actually, we usually take a spring break the last week in March. This year it's been moved up to March 4, 2008. Then it's back to the rehearsal room for three more rehearsals before we head off for a weekend in Lansing, MI.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Recording Session

On Tuesday night the CSB had a recording session. We recorded "Precious Lord" (Dorsey, arr. Broughton, soloist - Ben Kinzie) and "Voluntary on Old Hundredth" (Purcell, arr. Curnow).

Now, before you get excited about a new recording you should understand how recording with the CSB works. Our rehearsal room doubles as our recording studio. So, when we have something ready to record, we simply record it. But what we record could possibly sit in the sound vault for months or in the worst case years before it makes it to a recording you can actually get your hands on.

So, don't hold your breath on this one. But we did get some recording done last night.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Saturday Night in Champaign, IL

As promised the CSB was in concert this evening in Champaign, IL.

We drove down from Chicago this afternoon in time to have a short rehearsal that included members of the University of Illinois British Brass Band. We collaborated on two items... "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (Bach arr. Leidzen) and "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (Sousa arr. Himes). Bandmaster Himes had the baton for the Bach piece and Dr. Peter Griffin of the University of Illinois conducted the Sousa piece. It was a lot of fun to get to know these very fine musicians from the University of Illinois.

Following the rehearsal we enjoyed dinner provided by our hosts at Faith United Methodist Church.

Then, at 7:00 pm it was time for the concert that included the following items:
  • "Milestone" (Himes)
  • "Post Bellum Rhapsody" (Leidzen)
  • "Glory To His Name" (Ball) - Beth Cooper, soloist
  • "I Will Call Upon The Lord" (O'Shields)
  • "He Leadeth Me" (Kellner)
  • "Onward Christian Soldiers" (Fernie)
  • "Rigaudon" (Campra, arr. Himes) - Dr. Michael Hammer, soloist
  • "Hallelujah!" (Curnow)
  • "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked" (O'Hara, arr. Graham) - Brett Tolcher, soloist
  • "Somebody Prayed For Me" (Cloninger/Sterling) - Heidi Strand, soloist
  • "Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring" (Bach, arr. Leidzen)
  • "Festival of Thanksgiving" (Downie)
  • "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (Sousa, arr. Himes)
  • "Choral Benediction" (Himes)

In addition to these items Major John Turner, commanding officer of the Salvation Army in Champaign took opportunity to thank the community for their wonderful support during the 2007 Christmas effort. Mick Shay read the scripture and Alan Nelson (a 1966 alumnus of the University of Illinois and the Marching Illini) gave a personal testimony.

The concert marked the debut of both Beth Cooper and Brett Tolcher as soloists with the band.

After a night of sleep we will return to Faith United Methodist Church tomorrow morning to participate in a 10:30 am worship service.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Late Breaking News - Champaign, IL

At rehearsal on Tuesday evening it was confirmed that we will be combining with 23 members of the University of Illinois British Brass Band (Dr. Peter J. Griffin, conductor) for two selections on the Saturday night program in Champaign.

Some of you may want to know what the two numbers will be... but you'll either have to come to the concert to find out or watch for my blog entry after the weekend. We do know what they are since we've rehearsed them. We'll also be rehearsing with the U of I band upon our arrival in Champaign on Saturday night.

So, perhaps there's one more reason for you to come out to the concert on Saturday if you're in the area. Hope to see you there.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Going to Champaign, IL

For those of you following our calendar, the CSB will be in Champaign, IL this weekend. We did get our rehearsal in last Tuesday and with any luck at all we'll get in another tomorrow night. We had a February thaw yesterday and got rid of a ton of snow. It's not all gone yet but it's good to have gotten rid of some of it.

It's kind of nice to have today off for President's Day. Will make for a short week before we leave on Saturday.

Here's what I know at this point about our visit in Champaign:

Saturday, February 23 - Concert - Faith United Methodist Church

Sunday, February 24 - Worship Service - Faith United Methodist Church

Both are open to the public. The address information for the church that I have is:
Faith United Methodis Church
1719 S Prospect
Champaign, IL 61820

If you make it to either, please be sure to say hello.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Dodged the bullet...

It looks like the snow advisory for today has been cancelled and it's pretty certain we'll be back rehearsing this evening. Back to normal.... Good thing too since we're in Champaign, IL a week from Saturday.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Looking better...

Well, the weather report is shaping up and it's likely we'll get a rehearsal in tomorrow night. Stay tuned for more information. Here's the current weather forecast for tomorrow...


Feb 12 Tomorrow
Periods of snow. Cold. High around 20F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Snow accumulating 2 to 4 inches.
Feb 12 Tomorrow night
Becoming partly cloudy later with any flurries or snow showers ending by midnight. Low 8F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Need your prayers...

The CSB has had to cancel rehearsals the last two Tuesday evenings due to either bad weather or the prediction of bad weather. As an "old timer" it was nice to have the two evenings at home, but we do have work to do for our upcoming engagements. So, say a prayer that we won't have horrid weather this Tuesday night.

Thanks.

Monday, February 4, 2008

CSB Visit to Kansas City

On January 26-27, 2008 the CSB was honored to visit both Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS. We flew into Kansas City on Saturday morning in plenty of time to proceed to an afternoon rehearsal with the Kansas City Symphony at the Lyric Theater.

That evening the concert at the Lyric Theater began with solo items by the CSB ("Hallelujah", "To Worlds Unknown", "Ashokan Farewell" and "Onward! Christian Soldiers"). Midway through this segment we were joined by young local Salvation Army musicians who were featured soloists playing "American Celebration".

Following the CSB segment the Kansas City Symphony under the baton of Maestro Damon Gupton performed "Overture to Nabucco" (Verdi), "Pavane, opus 50" (Faure) and "Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld" (Offenbach).

The CSB and Kansas City Symphony then joined forces performing the following:
  • Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare
  • Olympic Fanfare and Theme
  • 1812 Overture
  • We Shall Overcome
  • Stars and Stripes Forever

At the conclusion of the evening the CSB closed with it's traditional "Choral Benediction".

On Sunday, the band participated in a morning worship service and afternoon dedication service at the Salvation Army's brand new Kansas City, Kansas Harbor Light Village (6723 Estate Avenue). Both services were well attended to the point that overflow closed circuit television rooms were used.

Following the dedication service we headed back to the Kansas City airport for our flight back to Chicago. We'd had a wonderful weekend of making music with a fantastic symphony orchestra and celebrating new opportunities that will be made possible by the opening of the new center in Kansas City, Kansas.

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