NY Staff Band

GNY GOOD FRIDAY FET

By Aaron VanderWeele

NEW YORK , NY -The New York Staff Band [NYSB] recently participated in The Salvation Army of Greater New York's Good Friday service-part of the ongoing Friday Evening at the Temple [FET] series. This year's service combined the NYSB, the USA Eastern Territory 's cadets and the Greater New York Youth Chorus-a new initiative of B/M Gordon Ward's that brought together approximately 30 young people from around the division.

The evening began with a powerful performance of Above All , arranged by Andrew Mackereth. The theme for the evening was Our God Reigns and, following introductions and the opening song/prayer, the NYSB presented Dorothy Gates' new arrangement of this well-known melody.

Several powerful drama presentations followed before the Greater New York Youth Chorus offered a spirited rendition of Blessed is He .

Guest Conductor Torgny Hansen from Sweden next took the staff band through Morley Calvert's sublime setting, For Our Transgressions . It was fascinating to see the care he took with each and every note of this gorgeous piece of music. Mr. Hansen will conduct the band next in his homeland when the band visits Scandinavia and plays Erik Leidzen's Second Swedish Symphony .

The speaker for the evening was Captain Virginia Bermeo who brought the Word with passion.

The evening finished up with a rousing version of Crown Him with Many Crowns accompanied by the NYSB. The new format of this meeting-beginning at 7:25 pm versus 12 noon and lasting three half-hours instead of three hours-is a popular one. There was a large crowd on hand and they came away blessed and inspired.