PROFILE NIGHT XXVIII

The Music of Major Leonard Ballantine

Tom Scheibner

Assistant Territorial Music Secretary

 

Major Len Ballantine is well known for his choral and brass compositions in The Salvation Army.  His leadership of the International Staff Songsters from 1992-1998 brought a decidedly contemporary note to main stream vocal ensemble work within our culture.  Len  is comfortable with a wide range of musical expressions from the Classics to Pop, and he welcomes modern material as a helpful necessity in the fashioning of worship.  All of these qualifications made Len an excellent candidate to be the special guest at the Greater New York Division’s annual Profile Festival, held on the night of November 10, 2006 at the Centennial Memorial Temple in New York City.

However, this Profile festival was quite different than any other of the other 27 festivals held in previous years.  It lived up to its billing as a worship experience as its sub-title suggested: “Call & Response: a worship experience”.  Major Ballantine was not just present for this experience as an honoree or even as a guest conductor; he participated as an active worship leader throughout the evening.  Len’s thought provoking comments were not focused on himself or his accomplishments, but directed the audience to focus on worshipping the Lord in His presence.

The musical groups charged to direct the evening’s focus into an attitude of praise and worship were the New York Staff Band (B/M Ronald Waiksnoris), the Greater New York Youth Band (B/M Gordon Ward), the Greater New York Youth Chorus (Chorus Leader Gavin Whitehouse) and Greater New York Timbrels (Major Mary Moore).  Each group contributed something special in their own unique way.

The two main contributions from the New York Staff Band were Len Ballantine’s “Covenant Worship” and “Since Jesus”.  “Covenant Worship” has the distinction of being the last item to be published in the now disbanded Festival Series – No. 600.  The recurring theme/motif “O worship” can be heard throughout the work and links 3 sacred and contemporary songs that comprise the work.  “Since Jesus” was the final band item presented on the program and was an exciting and exuberant final “response” that concluded the evening: ‘Floods of joy o’er my soul as the sea billows roll, Since Jesus came into my heart!”.  Flugelhorn soloist Andrew Garcia and trombone soloist Burt Mason had their moments to shine and sparkled in their solo presentations during this work.

The Greater New York Youth Band continues to grow from strength to strength.  Their lively rendition of “Heartbeat” contrasted to the reflective interpretation of “I Know Thou Art Mine”.  The latter is truly becoming a classic in Salvation Army meditative selections, and the band’s presentation on this night was moving.  The timbrels were an effective addition to the Youth Band’s presentation of Ballantine’s arrangement of “Joyful, Joyful”.

Three items that were presented by the Greater New York Youth Chorus were all excellent, but the one that really got my attention was their rendition of “Prepare”.  Gavin Whitehouse continues to bring out the very best from these young singers, and their enthusiasm and enjoyment of what they were doing came through loudly and clearly throughout the night.

An extra segment was added into the program with a farewell salute to divisional leaders Lt. Colonels Nestor R. & Rebecca A. Nuesch.  A powerful tribute by the GNY Youth Chorus, GNY Youth Band and vocal soloists Raymond Livingston and Amber Medin featured the song “Be Strong and Take Courage”.  These well-loved leaders will be truly missed and remembered for their excellent support of the divisional music and gospel arts programs.

Major Len Ballantine’s comments and piano interludes moved the program along quickly and effectively with seamless transitions from one element to another during the evening.  As his biography on the program stated: “At a time of great change in Salvation Army culture and practice, Major Ballantine brings a balanced and heartfelt approach to the outward expression of faith in our Lord Jesus.”  Major Len Ballantine received a well-deserved plaque in recognition of his achievements near the end of the program,  but the Lord Jesus Christ was the one truly receiving recognition and honor on this evening.