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.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
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!
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!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
National Social Services Conference
Tonight, the CSB was on the program for the welcome banquet at the National Social Services Conference in Chicago, IL. We shared the program with the Bill Booth Theater Company and the Metro Prep Band who brought down the house.
I'm putting pictures up on our Facebook page at the moment and then heading to bed. I'm tired!
We'll be on duty at the conference worship service in the morning as well.
I'm putting pictures up on our Facebook page at the moment and then heading to bed. I'm tired!
We'll be on duty at the conference worship service in the morning as well.
Friday, March 6, 2009
It's A Birthday!
No... It's not a birthday for the CSB. We celebrated our 100th last year, all year. Rather, March 6, 2009 - 80 years ago today - is the birthday of my father, Harold Shoults. Read no further if you're not interested but it's not purely personal. There is a CSB connection.
As a young Salvation Army officer my dad was appointed to the CSB in the 1950s. During the fifties and sixties he was the euphonium soloist in the band. By the time I joined the band in 1972 he'd yielded the solo work to his younger brother Art but he was the deputy bandmaster. His last stint with the band was in the 80s (I think) when he served as the Executive Officer for a period.
While he was the Executive Officer I remember a trip to Panama. At least I think it was Panama - after this many years some of the trips blend together. We were short a 2nd trombone player for the trip so my dad offerred to play 2nd and Bill Himes took him up on it. That was the only time he and I played in the same section in the CSB. I think his only regret of doing that was the march we had to do!
My dad gave me the only real music lessons I ever had outside of music camps. He started me and a bunch of other kids and adults at the Kansas City Blue Valley Corps on fluteophones after we'd learned theory basics. Then he moved me to cornet before finally letting me try the trombone at age 11. He's given most of his grandchildren lessons at one time or another as well. Two of his three children and four of his eight grandchildren have been members of the CSB.
More than teaching me to play he taught me the value of ministry through music.
On his 80th birthday his general health is quite good. His hearing and sight aren't what they used to be, but they're good enough. He's a big help to my mom in their home and teaches a weekly bible study in his subdivision.
We're not that unique when it comes to having multiple generations who have been part of the CSB. There's an entire article about it on the Central Connection - Get Connected site. But, since this is my blog and Harold's my dad I get the privilege of thanking him publicly for all he has done for me and wishing him a very happy birthday today!
My brother from Texas is flying in today and we'll celebrate at dinner tonight as a family.
As a young Salvation Army officer my dad was appointed to the CSB in the 1950s. During the fifties and sixties he was the euphonium soloist in the band. By the time I joined the band in 1972 he'd yielded the solo work to his younger brother Art but he was the deputy bandmaster. His last stint with the band was in the 80s (I think) when he served as the Executive Officer for a period.
While he was the Executive Officer I remember a trip to Panama. At least I think it was Panama - after this many years some of the trips blend together. We were short a 2nd trombone player for the trip so my dad offerred to play 2nd and Bill Himes took him up on it. That was the only time he and I played in the same section in the CSB. I think his only regret of doing that was the march we had to do!
My dad gave me the only real music lessons I ever had outside of music camps. He started me and a bunch of other kids and adults at the Kansas City Blue Valley Corps on fluteophones after we'd learned theory basics. Then he moved me to cornet before finally letting me try the trombone at age 11. He's given most of his grandchildren lessons at one time or another as well. Two of his three children and four of his eight grandchildren have been members of the CSB.
More than teaching me to play he taught me the value of ministry through music.
On his 80th birthday his general health is quite good. His hearing and sight aren't what they used to be, but they're good enough. He's a big help to my mom in their home and teaches a weekly bible study in his subdivision.
We're not that unique when it comes to having multiple generations who have been part of the CSB. There's an entire article about it on the Central Connection - Get Connected site. But, since this is my blog and Harold's my dad I get the privilege of thanking him publicly for all he has done for me and wishing him a very happy birthday today!
My brother from Texas is flying in today and we'll celebrate at dinner tonight as a family.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Most Recent Recording
Those of you who know the CSB will already know that we record our Thanksgiving Festival live and then release that to the public. It's been out for some time now and there is a web page that allows you to hear three clips from it. I think the page also has a link for purchasing your very own copy of the recording.
To preview it, click here.
To preview it, click here.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Christmas in February?
Some call today Fat Tuesday and tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. But, the CSB is in our rehearsal room/studio playing Christmas music. Truth is that unlike most Salvation Army Bands the CSB doesn't ever play very much Christmas music.
For the last 25-30 years the CSB has taken a break in our season immediately following our Thanksgiving Concert held the Saturday following Thanksgiving. On occasion we've played a Christmas piece in that concert but that's about it.
In my 30+ years in the band I think we've produced 2 full Christmas recordings. That's about it.
I should explain that taking a break at Christmas is intentional for us. As a composite group made up of members from various Salvation Army churches we feel it is important to support the front line work of the Salvation Army. So, in December we tell our members to go and
do the work with their local Salvation Army church. Believe me, we're plenty busy without doing anything with the Staff Band.
What are we doing tonight? Well, we're asked to contribute to a recording produced to use as Christmas gifts for advisory personnel and many others. So, tonight was a night to record a little for that. You'll have to wait for the recording to be released to find out what we recorded.
Merry Christmas ~ in February.
--
Sent from my mobile device
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday - Springfield, IL
We're back on our bus heading to THQ. I think we got away a few minutes late but my GPS says we will get in at 4:42 which is ahead of our ETA of 5:00 pm. Of course that depends on traffic and if we make a stop to get a drink. A drink stop always takes at least 20 minutes.
This morning we had a good worship service at First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL. This is the church Abraham Lincoln and his family attended for a time. You can read more about that at the church web site, www.lincolnschurch.org.
As usual we played some prelude music, accompanied hymns, played an offertory etc. It was a good service and we were joined by Salvationists from the Springfield, IL corps. They had met at the corps for Sunday School from 9:00 am - 10:00 am and then came over to the church for the worship service.
Many thanks to Majors Logan and all who made the arrangements for our overnight housing as well as lunch at the ARC.
This morning we had a good worship service at First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL. This is the church Abraham Lincoln and his family attended for a time. You can read more about that at the church web site, www.lincolnschurch.org.
As usual we played some prelude music, accompanied hymns, played an offertory etc. It was a good service and we were joined by Salvationists from the Springfield, IL corps. They had met at the corps for Sunday School from 9:00 am - 10:00 am and then came over to the church for the worship service.
Many thanks to Majors Logan and all who made the arrangements for our overnight housing as well as lunch at the ARC.
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