Sunday, April 19, 2009

Pekin, IL - Part 2 (Sunday)

The CSB is on the bus heading back to THQ and from there home after a great visit to Pekin, IL. Captains Mount seem to be on top of things and it appears that the Salvation Army is wll supported in Pekin, a town of about 35,000 people. As stated last night, the concert on Saturday was well attended at the 1st Church of the Nazarene with about 450 in attendance.


This morning, we were on duty at the first (i.e. 8:15 am) service at the United Methodist Church. That too was well attended. (Prior to the service the church provided the members of the band with a hot breakfast at 7:15.)


Due to space limitations only an ensemble from the band actually played but the full chorus was able to sing. The children's message “The Instruments of the Band” didn't go exactly to plan since no brave child could be found to learn to play a horn in one easy lesson. However, the point was well made anyway.


Following that service we loaded up and headed to the Salvation Army, arriving just at the tail end of their Sunday School opening. Following that opening some members of the band attended Sunday School classes and others set up the ensemble which was again on duty given the size of the platform. The Mounts gave the worship service over to us and our Executive Officer spoke on the “Stones of Israel” reminding us significant incidents in the New Testament. At the end, each in attendance were given the opportunity to receive a white stone signifying our innocence obtained by the blood of Jesus Christ.


It's always good to report that the Salvation Army hall was full. While there were a few visitors from DHQ in nearby Peoria, for the most part the hall was full of people from Pekin. That bodes well for the future of the Salvation Army in Pekin.


All in all it was a good weekend but given the hour of rising this morning it's a very quiet bus at the moment as people catch up on their Sunday afternoon nap. Once this is posted I will try uploading some photographs on our Chicago Staff Band Facebook page. If you're not a fan of that page, why not become one?


OK... Band Geeks... here's the line up from the program last evening that I promised. If you're not a band geek I'll see you next time.


  • Dance Like David

  • Jubilance (soloist, Peggy Thomas)

  • Good Old Way

  • Soon & Very Soon (vocal item)

  • He Leadeth Me (vocal item)

  • Testimoy (Sang Kim)

  • Glorious Ventures (soloist, Jeremy Rowland)

  • Memory (soloist, Kory Strand)

  • Symphonette

  • Intermission

  • Southmount (Heartland Divisional Band, Captain Peter Mount conducting)

  • Concert Piece (soloist, Brett Tolcher)

  • You Raise Me Up (soloist, Heidi Strand)

  • Devotional Thought (Lt. Colonel Mickey McLaren)

  • Vitae Aeternum

  • Nicaea (combined/massed bands)

  • Cairo Red Shield (combined/massed bands)

  • Choral Benediction



Saturday, April 18, 2009

CSB Visits Pekin, IL

The Chicago Staff Band left Territorial Headquarters shortly after noon today to travel the 175 miles to Pekin, IL where we'd been invited by Salvation Army commanding officers Captains Peter and Catherine Mount. Upon arrival we did a quick set up followed by sectional photos to be used on our upcoming European visit. Then we returned to the stage and had a rehearsal with the Heartland Brass who are in their inaugural season. Bandmaster Himes took us through "Nicaea" and Captain James Frye, bandmaster of the Heartland Brass conducted the classic "Cairo Red Shield".

Following rehearsal it was time for a quick bite to eat and then the concert to a nearly full hall of 400-450 people gathered to hear the CSB and Heartland Brass. Ninety percent of the people indicated it was their first Salvation Army band concert. Hopefully it won't be their last!

The people were warm and receptive but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out what we played. I neglected to bring my cue sheet with me...

Off to post a few photos on our Facebook page before I get some sleep. It's an early call (7:15) at the United Methodist Church in Pekin tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

This weekend the CSB is headed to Pekin, IL. Here are the details:

Saturday, April 18

7:00 pm - Concert at First Church of the Nazarene
3514 E Broadway
Pekin, IL

Sunday, April 19

8:15 am - Worship Service at United Methodist Church
1315 Court Street
Pekin, IL

11:00 am - Worship Service at Salvation Army
243 Derby Street
Pekin, IL

Hope to see some of you there!

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