Visit to Indianapolis, IN - May 22-23, 2010

The Chicago Staff Band has just returned from a visit to the Indianapolis, Indiana area. This visit is the last out of town weekend for the 2009-10 season. We still have two rehearsals, a recording session and the Congress weekend left before we take our summer break.

We started out on Saturday morning heading through Indiana on I-65. Getting out of Chicago was a breeze which is unusual. But, after having had lunch we felt right at home as our bus encountered a significant traffic jam as we approached Indianapolis.

Both the Saturday night concert and Sunday morning worship services were held at the Mount Comfort United Methodist Church in Greenfield, IN. Ernie Alder, a member of the Methodist congregation, has ties to the Salvation Army and had initiated the invitation for the band to return to the Indianapolis area.

Upon arrival we had a quick sound check followed by a home cooked dinner. Ample time remained for us to finish our final concert preparations. A nice responsive audience gathered for the 7:00 pm concert. At the conclusion of the concert we recognized the service of our travel coordinator, Major Robert Doliber, who will be leaving the band at the conclusion of the season when he will be taking an overseas appointment.

On Sunday morning the band and other area Salvationists gathered with our new Methodist friends for worship at 9:00 am. Our Executive Officer, Lt. Colonel Richard Vander Weele brought the message of the morning as we celebrated Pentecost Sunday together. An ensemble was called upon to open the 11:17 am contemporary worship service before we boarded the bus for a relatively quick and painless return to THQ.

Our appreciation goes out to the Salvation Army’s Indiana Division and the people of the Mount Comfort United Methodist Church. Special thanks go to Majors Vicki and Dick Amick, Captain Marcos Ramirez, Ernie Alder and Pastor C. Reid Walker.

Now, for those who are interested, here’s the Saturday night concert play list:

Montclair Citadel (Bulla)
Welcome & Prayer
Concertino for Flugel and Band (Himes/Beth Cooper, soloist)
Sirocco (Graham)
Soon and Very Soon (Crouch/Karl Strand, soloist)
Then Will the Very Rocks Cry Out (arr. Hayes)
Concertino for Trombone (David, arr. Condon/Matthew Luhn, soloist)
Let Everything Praise (Cordner)
Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good to Me (arr. Alexander)
INTERMISSION
El Es El Senor (Jones)
Slavonic Dance No. 8, Opus 46 (Dvorak)
Through My Savior’s Merit (Condon)
Cause for Celebration (Himes)
The Stars and Stripes Forever (Sousa, arr. Himes)
Closing Prayer
Choral Benediction (Himes)

CSB to Visit Indianapolis, IN

I've been asked several times for information about our visit to Indianapolis scheduled for May 22-23, 2010. I'm pleased to be able to provide the following:

Saturday, May 22
7:00 pm Concert
Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church
3179 N. 600 W.
Greenfield, IN 46140


Sunday, May 23
9:00 am Worship Service
Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church
3179 N. 600 W.
Greenfield, IN 46140

An ensemble will also present a few numbers at the beginning of the 11:00 am Contemporary Service at the Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church.

If you're anywhere near Indianapolis, I hope to see you there. Be sure to say hello!

Iowa City, IA - April 24 & 25, 2010

As mentioned previously the CSB traveled to Iowa City, IA on Saturday, April 24, 2010. We made our way west on I-88 and then I-80 in a light rain that seemed to be turning the Midwest green as we went.

We arrived at Parkview Church in time to set up and have a short rehearsal with Joyful Noize, the youth gospel choir of the Salvation Army in Iowa City. Next up was a very short rehearsal with the Eastern Iowa Brass Band under the baton of Casey Thomas.

Following those rehearsals and sound checks we were treated to a fantastic meal cooked by one of the Salvation Army soldiers from the Iowa City Corps. The meal was provided to both bands and a number of special guests. It was amazing that after this meal either band was able to play any notes at all. It was truly spectacular.

But eating was not the reason we’d been invited to Iowa City. So, at 7:00 pm we entered the stage for the evening concert. We led off the evening with a short set that included Joyful Noize singing “The Spirit of the Lord” to our accompaniment. Following that set and recognition of local Salvation Army volunteers the Eastern Iowa Brass Band took the stage for a solo set.

The format then called for each band to present more solo items before we formed a single band to conclude the evening but not before a beautiful presentation from Ordained 2 Praise a dance troupe from the Iowa City Salvation Army.

While it was a late night, the evening was worthwhile for all participants and I believe the audience as well. A complete listing of the program items will follow at the end of this posting for those who are interested.

On Sunday morning the band joined with the Iowa City Corps for both Sunday School and worship. Sunday School was led by our own Captain John Pook and the band chorus sang along with an instrumental ensemble. But, the most exciting part of the entire weekend was the opportunity to celebrate with the Iowa City Corps as they made new church members that included 31 children and adults.

Following the worship service that included preaching by Colonel Carol Seiler we boarded the bus to head back east to Chicagoland having been thoroughly blessed to have been in Iowa City. Our thanks go out to Captains Terry & Jennifer Smith, the Eastern lIowa Brass Band, Casey Thomas, Joyful Noize, Ordained 2 Praise, Set The Atmosphere and all of the wonderful people we met in Iowa City. We’ll look forward to the next invitation if we’re fortunate enough to get one!

Now… here’s what the band geeks are looking for:

CSB
El Es Él Senor (Jones)
Concertino For Flugel and Band Mvt I & III (Himes) – Beth Cooper, soloist
The Spirit of the Lord (Funk/arr. Thomas) – Joyful Noize
Time and Eternity (Bosanko) – Peggy Thomas & Shaun Thomas, soloists
Sirocco (Graham)

EIBB
The Contestor (Powell)
Mr. Sandman (arr. Baker)
I Am The Resurrection from Requiem (Rutter/arr. Thomas)
A Gaelic Blessing (Rutter/arr. Thomas)
American Overture (Jenkins)

CSB
Concertino for Trombone Mvt II & III (David/arr. Condon) Matthew Luhn, soloist
Cause For Celebration (Himes)
The High Council (Steadman-Allen)

INTERMISSION

EIBB
Blue Rondo A La Turk (arr. Edwards)

Ordained 2 Praise – dance troupe

Massed Bands
Light Walk (Gott) Casey Thomas, conductor/Paul Waech, soloist
Amazing Grace (arr. Himes)
The Stars and Stripes Forever (Sousa/arr. Himes)

CSB
Choral Benediction

Iowa City Next Week - April 24-25, 2010

That's right! The Chicago Staff Band will be returning to visit the Iowa City, IA Salvation Army next Saturday and Sunday. If I'm not mistaken, it's been nearly five years since our last visit to Iowa City.

On Saturday evening we will be sharing a concert with the Easter Iowa Brass Band (http://easterniowabrassband.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Eastern-Iowa-Brass-Band/101390641311), Casey Thomas - director. We played with this fine band the last time we were in Iowa City and are looking forward to being with them again. The format will include solo items from both bands as well as a few massed band items.

On Sunday morning we will be worshiping with the Salvation Army at the Robert A Lee Recreational Center. The schedule for the weekend is:

Saturday, April 24:
7:00 pm Concert
Parkview Church (http://www.parkviewchurch.org)

Sunday, April 25:
9:30 am Sunday School (Robert A Lee Recreational Center)
10:30 am Worship Service (Robert A Lee Recreational Center)

For more information contact the Salvation Army in Iowa City (http://www.icsalvationarmy.org) at 319.337.3725

As always, if you're able to join us don't forget to come and say hello.

Report on London, ON Visit

We're on a long bus ride back to THQ from London, ON. By the time we get there we will have travelled about 842 miles in total. This is considerably longer than a regular CSB weekend trip on a bus. It started on Friday evening when we left THQ at 5:30 pm. We drove as far as Lansing, MI where we stayed overnight before continuing on Saturday to cross the Blue Water Bridge that connects Port Huron, MI and Sarnia, ON.

The northbound border crossing was very uneventful and caused us to be more than an hour ahead of schedule. Just north of Sarnia we made a lunch stop with some members heading to Tim Horton's and others having a sandwich at Subway. Special thanks go out to our longtime driver, Ed, who made it possible for us to visit these two places for lunch.

We arrived at the Salvation Army's London Citadel Corps in plenty of time. In fact, we were so early that some of us headed over to a local mall to simply kill some time before joining musicians who had gathered at the corps for workshops led by Bill Himes. Bill concluded the workshops with a “Praise and Meditation Time” that included all of those who had been present for the entire afternoon and the members of the CSB.

A quick sound check by the CSB was followed by a lovely dinner at the corps. We were joined at dinner by a number of corps members and the fellowship of believers commenced.

At 7:30 we began the evening concert at the London Citadel Corps. The hall was packed and the audience was receptive and responsive. Of course, being from the USA we had to endure a little bit of harassment about the 2010 Winter Olympics gold medal game between the USA and Canada.

Following the concert we retired for the evening to homes of members of the London Citadel Corps. Those hosts made sure we were well taken care of and returned us to the corps in plenty of time to prepare for a blessed time of worship.

One last meal and we were ready to get on the bus and head back to THQ in Des Plaines. When we reached the southbound border we were delayed only about 30 minutes as we cleared immigration after crossing the same bridge connecting the two countries.

As a veteran of the CSB this trip felt more like an “old fashioned” band trip. Today we often play concerts in venues built for concerts. On Saturday night our concert was in the Army hall. On Sundays we are often found worshipping in churches different from our own. But this weekend, from start to finish we were in a functioning and healthy Salvation Army corps. The only thing missing was a Saturday afternoon or evening wrap-up. But then because of distance, that wasn't possible for this trip.

Congratulations and thanks go out to all of the folks at the London Citadel Corps for taking such good care of us. Special thanks to Majors Braund, BM John Lam, Allan Bolam, Allan Weatherall, Gillian Weatherall and the LC kitchen crew. This was a visit we will remember for a long time.

Now... for all of you band geeks, here's the repertoire for the Saturday evening concert. My apologies in advance for not including the composers and arrangers in this list.

Saturday Concert

PRAISE HIM

CONCERTINO FOR FLUGEL HORN AND BAND - Mvts 1 & 3 (soloist – Beth Cooper)

SIROCCO

Vocal - SOON AND VERY SOON (soloist – Karl Strand)

Vocal - THEN WILL THE VERY ROCKS CRY OUT

Testimony Captain John Pook

THE GUARDIAN (soloist – Brett Tolcher)

CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION

INTERMISSION

I BELIEVE

CONCERTANTE FOR CORNETS AND BAND

LORD, LORD YOU SURE BEEN GOOD TO ME

Vocal - THROUGH MY SAVIOR’S MERIT

FOR TIME AND ETERNITY (soloists – Peggy Thomas; Shaun Thomas)

Scripture - Lt. Colonel Vander Weele

VITAE AETERNUM

STARS AND LEAFS FOREVER

Correction! CSB in London, ON March 20-21, 2010

For those of you who have been paying attention my last posting incorrectly trumpeted the dates we are going to be in London, ON as March 22-23. My bad... it really is this coming weekend which is March 20-21, 2010.

Sorry.

CSB To Visit London, Ontario - March 20-21 2010

It may come as a bit of a surprise to you that I am writing about an event before it occurs rather than after it occurs. Of course I won't be able to provide our playlist in advance but it occurs to me that some of you might like to know details about upcoming concerts and worship services in advance so that you can pray for our ministry and/or support it with your attendance.

On March 20-21 we will be visiting our friends north of the border for a Saturday evening concert and Sunday morning worship service. Bandmaster Himes will be conducting a brass workshop on Saturday afternoon before the full band arrives.

For those interested in more details I'll paste information below from the http://www.londoncitadel.ca/ web site.

The London Citadel Band is pleased to present the famous Chicago Staff Band in Concert at London Citadel on March 20 & 21st.

Saturday, March 20th:

1:30 - 4:30: Brass Workshop - (by reservation only) with Bandmaster Bill Himes. First
come first serve basis as space is limited. The cost of $20.00 includes the
workshop, dinner and concert admission. To register please call the Corps
Office at 472-2500.

7:30 pm: Concert by the Chicago Staff Band.
General admission is $10.00 at the door.

Sunday, March 21st:

The Chicago Staff Band will conduct the morning Worship at London
Citadel.

Please invite your friends to come and share in this special weekend.