NYSB Visit to Northern California

 by Jeff Markee

 

As you have read, our visit to Southern California was wonderful and very meaningful to my fellow bandsman David VanderWeele. Our visit to Northern California was also tremendous and extremely moving for me too.  Our short flight from LAX to SFO was very smooth and took us up the California coast. It was a clear day and I was able to follow along most of the way from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz where we crossed over the mountains and bay to a smooth landing at SFO.

We were met by a couple of familiar faces, the Dunsmores. They had started attending the Concord Corps shortly before I left in September 2002. We had a short bus ride to our hotel where we were able to settle in before a very nice dinner at Gulliver's, just across the street. We were greeted by the Divisional Leaders of both the Golden State and Del Oro Divisions. They were sharing us for our brief visit, Pier 39 concert being in the Golden State Division and Concord Corps being in the Del Oro Division.

After a good night’s sleep and a nice breakfast, we were taken up through Golden Gate Park and past the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge. We were treated to some typical San Francisco weather with fog covering the upper half of the bridge. The view from the observation point is still spectacular and for most of our band, this was their first visit to San Francisco.

Following our photo stop, it was on to Pier 39. After a quick walk around the pier and a look at the sea lions, we prepared for our noon concert. It was special doing our part to celebrate National Salvation Army Week in such a wonderful setting. It was made even more special for me to have a few good friends come down to the pier to hear the band (and see me…).  Following our concert, we were given a good amount of sightseeing time. The fog burned off just before our concert and by the time we reboarded the bus, several bandsmen were sun and/or wind burned.

We had a quiet bus ride to Concord, taking a detour through Oakland to avoid the recently collapsed bridge. I felt the unmistakeable feeling of coming home when we arrived at the Concord Corps. This is the place where I came to The Salvation Army, but more importantly, this is where I became a Christian. I showed a few people where I was sitting when it happened. This corps really is a special place with many special people. They really made us all feel at home and like we were all old friends.

Our festival that evening was like no other that I have experienced during my short time in the band. The band was playing at its best and the congregation was so responsive. Our presentation of the march “Concord” was a real treat as was “The Holy War.” Our soloists were in top form. Each were highlighted through out the program. The festival was over so quickly. It was a delight for me to share the ministry that is the New York Staff Band with my friends in Concord. It was a very special night.

I always remember a lunch conversation I had with my friend, Bandmaster Jim Black after I learned that I would be relocating to New York. I asked him if he thought I would be good enough to play in the New York Staff Band. Thanks Jim! This was a great trip, but I am sad about one thing. My 2nd Cornet section mate tore his rotator cuff a few weeks earlier and just had surgery to repair it. He was unable to travel with us. I missed you Pete.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this weekend possible and the behind the scenes people who make everything happen with out any glory. Thanks Concord…It was good to be home!