Sounds of the Seasons 2009

"Sounds of the Seasons" is the title the CSB has given to the annual concert we sponsor on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. In the "old days" we simply called it the Thanksgiving Concert. But in the "old days", it was actually held on Thanksgiving evening. The name change doesn't really do that much for me but I'm sure glad that we don't do it on Thanksgiving anymore!

As has been the case for many years the concert is held on the campus of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois at Edman Chapel. This was our first concert in Edman Chapel since the college completed renovations to the building. While probably not visible to most of the audience it was nice to have nearby warm up space, real backstage facilities for men and women and a remodeled loading dock.

The guest artist for the concert last evening was trombone soloist, Herb Bruce. To quote from the program "Herb Bruce is a trombone phenomenon who has performed internationally with such greats as Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Wayne Newton, Sammy Davis, Jr., Burt Bacharach, Liza Minelli, Amy Grant, Al Hirt, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Bernadette Peters and the Temptations. He has several recording credits on movie and television soundtracks and on countless CDs, including the acclaimed Spiritual to the 'Bone recordings in which he played top trombone. Herb has performed with premier Salvation Army brass bands around the world and this is his first appearance with the Chicago Staff Band." While that's all the "formal stuff" let me just say that he's a great trombone player and a fantastic guy to work with.

I'd estimate that there were about 1,900 people present for the concert and they were very receptive to each musical presentation.

Bandmaster Himes shared the fact that 28 years prior, to the day, his son had been born on the same day as a CSB Thanksgiving concert. After wishing his son a happy birthday, the band played "The Blessing", the processional Bill Himes originally wrote for his son's wedding.

An amusing offertory presentation included an ensemble from the CSB playing "White Christmas" in a style reminiscent of Lawrence Welk accompanied by several bubble blowing young people that had been selected from the audience.

There were too many other highlights of the evening to recall them all here. And, in the interest of time, the full listing of program items will be included in a second posting to immediately follow this one.

Before I do that, I want to thank all of you who were able to be in attendance and we look forward to seeing you again at our concert next year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving which is November 27, 2010.