Aaron VanderWeele's Solo Recording
with the New York Staff Band

The Salvation Army in the Eastern Territory is very blessed to have within its ranks many wonderful musicians.

One of the many great talents of this territory is New York Staff Band euphonium player, Aaron Vanderweele.

Recently he was invited to record an album of euphonium solos for the Eastern Territory’s soloist series, joining the likes of other soloists in this series: Colonel Marilyn Francis, Carol Jaudes, Captain Margaret Davis and former staff bandsman Raymond Jay Livingston. To complete the enormous task of recording a solo album, Aaron called upon the help of the New York Staff Band.

Meeting together for the purpose of recording is never an easy thing to do considering the staff band members’ very heavy work and school timetables, but the group battled through rush hour traffic and busy schedules to support Aaron and his recording.

The band met on November 17 and 18, 2004 at SUNY Purchase College located in Purchase, New York. Though the days were long, Aaron’s iron lip held strong and it was a successful endeavor. The band was happy to welcome former bandmaster Derek Smith and composer Lt. Colonel Norman Bearcroft as on-lookers during the recording.

One of Lt.-Colonel Bearcroft’s compositions, “The Great Adventure” was actually recorded while the Colonel observed.

A new composition and a new arrangement by staff bandsman Dorothy Gates were also featured on this recording.

Aaron interpreted all of the solos beautifully.
When it was all over, it was clearly evident that Aaron was thankful for the efforts of his friends and co-musicians, as well as for the terrific job that Ted Marshall always performs as recording engineer.