CSB Visit to Port Huron, MI

The CSB had a great visit to Port Huron, MI this past weekend. We were invited to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Salvation Army in Port Huron.

After a six hour coach ride from THQ to Port Huron we set up in the relatively new performing arts center of Port Huron High School. Following a short rehearsal we went across the street to the Salvation Army Citadel where we had dinner with those gathered for the festivities of the weekend.

The 7:00 pm concert was very well attended by a very receptive crowd. Many friends from all over the state of Michigan came to hear the band and to support the Salvation Army in Port Huron. Details of the concert will follow at the end of this post.

On Saturday evening most of the band were housed with host families from the corps and many reported enjoying that additional opportunity for fellowship. Sunday morning we returned to the Salvation Army and attended Sunday School that featured the Port Huron Youth Band, a 125th retrospective video and words of reflection from Bandmaster Himes who graduated from Port Huron High School before going to the University of Michigan. Bandmaster Himes recalled the value that the Port Huron Corps has always had for their young people and what that has resulted in down through the years.

At 10:45 we joined in worship with the Corps providing song accompaniments and special music. The message of the morning was provided by Colonel Steve Hedgren who is currently the Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory. Colonels Steve & Judy Hedgren served as the corps officers of the Port Huron Corps 25 years ago during the celebration of the 100th anniversary.

We quickly packed our bus, grabbed some lunch on the run provided by the corps and headed back to THQ in Des Plaines. While many hours were spent on the bus we were blessed to have been involved in a meaningful celebration of faithful service. Thanks, Port Huron.

The remainder of this post lists our concert play list for the Saturday evening concert. If you're not a band geek, I won't be offended if you stop reading now.

• Festival Prelude – “Praise Him” (Bulla)
• Flugel/Cornet Solo – “Blessed Assurance”, soloist – Ben Kinzie (Bulla)
• Trombone Solo – “The Guardian”, soloist – Brett Tolcher (Graham)
• CSB Chorus – “Then Will The Very Rocks Cry Out” (arr. Hayes)
• CSB Chorus – “Soon And Very Soon”, soloist – Karl Strand (arr. Schrader)
• “Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good To Me” (Alexander)
• Transcription – “Melodies of Dvorak” (Steadman-Allen)
• Offertory – “Round-up” (Cordner)
• “Concertante For Cornets & Band” (Bulla)
• Euphonium Solo “Rhapsody For Euphonium and Band”, soloist – Jeremy Rowland (Curnow)
• Hymn Setting – “Amazing Grace” (Himes)
• CSB Chorus – “Fairest Lord Jesus” (Phillips)
• Overture – “Vitae Aeternum” (Lovatt-Cooper)
• CSB Chorus – “Choral Benediction” (Himes)