This blog entry is at least a week overdue. The CSB received a late invitation to South Bend, IN after a cancellation occurred on our calendar.
South Bend is of course the location of Notre Dame University and it will be the home of a new Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center. It is also the place where the Salvation Army and the Notre Dame Marching Band have entered into a partnership called BandLINK. The joint goal is to teach important life lessons through music.
Under the direct supervision of Matt Merten (brass) and Sam Sanchez (percussion), both from the University, and approximately 20 student mentors from the University Marching Band, BandLINK students are provided private and group instruction four times a week.
Over 40 students, 3rd-7th grades, have benefited from this program that was conceived by Colonel Dennis Phillips of the Salvation Army and Dr. Kenneth Dye, professor of music and director of bands at Notre Dame.
Saturday evening, January 23, was a collaboration concert including the Notre Dame Symphonic Winds, the Chicago Staff Band and kids from the BandLINK program. The program was marked by two standing ovations. The first followed the performance of the BandLINK students who played “American Celebration” accompanied by the Chicago Staff Band. The second followed the playing of “Onward Christian Soldiers”. This piece was performed by both the Notre Dame Symphonic Winds and the Chicago Staff Band under the baton of Father Theodore Hesburgh, CSC.
Following the marvelous collaboration concert the CSB headed to 1st Presbyterian Church to set up for worship where we gathered on Sunday morning to participate in the weekly service that included Presbyterians and Salvationists from South Bend.
All in all, it was a wonderful weekend of music ministry and Majors Bob and Collette Webster are to be congratulated for hosting the band and for all they are doing in the community of South Bend.
For those who absolutely must know, here’s the concert music outline from the collaboration concert:
Notre Dame Symphonic Winds
• Star-Spangled Banner (Francis Scott Key)
• Hands Across The Sea (John Phillip Sousa)
• Fandango (Joseph Turrin) – Anthony Parrish/Andrew Thomas, soloists
• Andante And Tranquillo (Samuel Barber/arr. Saucedo)
• I’ll Fly Away – What A Friend We Have In Jesus (traditional/arr. Merten)
• Notre Dame Victory March (J & M Sheaar, Casasanta)
Chicago Staff Band
• El Es El Senor (Jones)
• Symphonette (Bulla)
• He Leadeth Me (Kellner)
• Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good To Me (arr. Alexander)
• American Celebration (Himes)
Notre Dame Symphonic Winds & Chicago Staff Band
• Cause For Celebration (Himes)
• Amazing Grace (Himes)
• Seventy-Six Trombones (Wilson/arr. Dye)
• Nicaea (Himes)
• Onward Christian Soldiers (Sullivan)
• The Stars And Stripes Forever (Sousa)
