Promises Made, Promises Kept:

New York Staff Band Commemorates 120 years of Ministry

  

What The Salvation Army needed in 1887 was a surefire way to attract attention. At least that’s how Ballington Booth, the Army’s commander in America, saw it.  How else could Salvationists get people into meetings where they would hear the gospel and be saved? He decided that a brass band was perfect for this purpose.  So that year he called into being a “staff band” based at New York City headquarters. It was formed to provide a model of good music-making and music leadership but, above all, to help people find the Lord.

Has the New York Staff Band fulfilled that purpose?  Does it continue to keep its commitment to ministry?  At the 120th anniversary reunion weekend in White Plains, NY, 103 current and former bandsmen, along with their spouses, considered those questions as they renewed friendships.  Guiding and challenging their thoughts were Commissioners Israel and Eva Gaither, national leaders, Drs. Ronald and Beatrice Holz, Ph.D, Professors of Music at Asbury College and Eastern Territorial Leaders Commissioners Lawrence and Nancy Moretz.  

 

Return to Galilee

In the keynote session, Commissioner Israel Gaither pointed out that an anniversary is an appropriate time to renew one’s vows. As Jesus commanded His disciples to return to Galilee following the Resurrection, he encouraged participants to take a similar journey. This journey was to be taken individually, but also as part of the band.  “Retrace your steps to your Galilee, to the place of your spiritual beginnings,” he urged.

At that meeting, he also paid tribute to spouses of band members as integral partners in the band’s mission. “These weekend widows and widowers are important people,” he said,  “and I thank them and the children who make sacrifices for this demanding ministry.” 

Throughout the weekend, the commissioner focused on three key anniversary promises. First, he challenged his hearers to promise to be believed, with the assistance of credentials, companions and convictions.  Second, all of us should promise to be who we say we are—to be authentic. We must not only do good.  We must be good.   Third, we must promise together to love Christ perfectly.

 

History Revisited

Dr. Holz, author of The Proclaimers, a soon-to-be released history of the band at 120 as well as an earlier version, Heralds of Victory, shared fascinating vignettes at each session.  “Understanding our past has helped inform our present and future,” he explained at the keynote session. And this increased understanding, he believes, has “renewed the vision and mission of Salvation Army brass bands, with bands like the New York Staff Band leading the way.” 

His words brought incidents and people from the past to life again.  They included a bicycle band from the band’s early days, which turned out to be more fiction than fact. It also included Major Charles Olsen’s account of how God used the Staff Band to lead him from a children’s home in Brooklyn to membership in the band and finally to Salvation Army officership.

 Holz quoted impressive statistics about members’ service to God apart from the band.  Of all the documented members in the band’s history, he reported, “just less than 50% have served, or are serving, as Salvation Army officers. “  And he noted that even higher statistics could be compiled for members who serve valiantly as local officers throughout the metropolitan area.

But he was by no means the only historian at the reunion.  Every member—from youngest current bandsman Steve Ditmer to Colonel Floyd Hooper, oldest alumnus present—has his or her own version of band history. Mealtime conversations were filled with the retelling of anecdotes and memories of unforgettable characters.

Alumni George Holmes, Lambert Bittinger and Major Mark Tillsley shared their remembrances publicly.  They recalled hilarious escapades, such as one bandsman’s trip down a slide into a motel pool—in full uniform!  They also described musical high points and bandsmen whose Christian faith deepened their own relationships with God. Major Phil Ferreira, chairman of the anniversary reunion committee, added to the historical perspective when at the conclusion of each session he read letters from alumni unable to attend.   Jeffrey Schultz, media ministries director, and his staff demonstrated contemporary techniques for preserving history with a video presentation of the band’s 1982 World Tour.

 

A Celebration of Music

The Saturday evening Reunion Festival by the current band, at the White Plains Presbyterian Church, was a joyous celebration of the gift of music.  Under the leadership of Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris, the program ranged from beloved brass band classics, such as a trombone ensemble’s rousing rendition of Golden Jubilee (M. Kippax/arr. T. Walker) to a hot-off-the-press folksong arrangement, My Lagan Love (Trigg). The Band Chorus, led by Major Thomas Mack, demonstrated band members’ ability to minister vocally as well as instrumentally. Dr. Holz, chairman for the festival, provided insight into historical events, selections and composers that enabled listeners to enter fully into the music.

Following Staff Bandsman Aaron VanderWeele’s euphonium solo, Ransomed (Marshall), Waiksnoris made a stunning announcement.  VanderWeele had been selected as the recipient of the prestigious International Euphonium Player of the Year Award.  No one was more surprised than Aaron himself, whose response was to give the glory of that moment to God.

A highlight of the evening was a trio of master works, led by the bandmaster who introduced it during his tenure.  Vernon Post (1963-1972) led the elegy, Low in the Grave (Soderstrom), Derek Smith (1972-1986) conducted, Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral (Wagner/arr. Himes) while Brian Bowen (1986-1992) took the podium for the transcription, The Appian Way (Respighi/arr. Graham). 

In a fitting and emotional conclusion, current and former band members sang Rock of Ages (/Bortniansky/arr. Bearchell), a song of testimony and faith forever linked to the New York Staff Band.

 

Promises Renewed

The Sunday morning worship service, led by Commissioner Lawrence Moretz, began with Introit (Post), a choral call to worship by the entire congregation. “Let Thy holy presence come upon us,” everyone sang and prayed, and in all that followed, God’s affirming presence was evident.

During a testimony period, present and past band members shared what the Staff Band meant to them.  One former bandsman spoke movingly of a moment when God revealed Himself in a powerful way as he played a selection with the band.  Preceding those testimonies, Major Mark Tillsley recalled his years with the band as a time when older members mentored him and helped him grow. Using words of Catherine Baird, he described the fellowship of the band as “friendships forged through serving Him.”

Commissioner Eva Gaither noted the similarities between David’s musicians and the members of the Staff Band, all trained in making music for the Lord.   At the same time, she challenged her hearers to consider whether there are gifts they have been given that have not yet been opened.

Dr. Beatrice Holz enriched the worship with a vocal solo, “Christ is All” (arr. Gates). Commissioner Israel Gaither based his sermon on Jesus’ conversation with Peter beside the Sea of Galilee.  “Are there things you love more than you love Jesus?” he asked, then reminded band members that the most important promise they could make together is to love Christ perfectly.  

In a thoughtful and determined response, nearly all who were present knelt or stood at the altar to indicate their desire to love Christ above all and to serve Him faithfully.   Many prayed with spouses or friends to underscore that this was also a communal commitment.

As the weekend concluded, answers to question of the band’s purpose seemed clear.   In a newly adopted mission statement, the New York Staff Band makes a renewed commitment to “increase public awareness of The Salvation Army and its overall mission to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.” 

Ballington would be pleased.

by:  Dorothy Post