My trip home

Lorena Simmonds

Although I love living in New York and enjoy the great friends I have made in this country, I savor every opportunity to visit “home.”  Home for me is Canada, in particular the beautiful city of Toronto, a much underestimated and overlooked gem in North America. 

The weekend that I had long been anticipating as a homecoming had a rather dubious beginning.  We awoke early on Friday morning, the day of our departure, to torrential downpours, flooded highways and delayed flights.  The usually simple trip to Territorial Headquarters to meet up with fellow staff bandsmen for the drive to JFK airport took an hour longer than anticipated.  It got better.  The trip from THQ to JFK had us sitting in stopped traffic at the Tappan Zee Bridge and wading through a mini-river on some off-highway “short cut” in White Plains.  A special thanks goes to Major Philip Ferreira whose deft handling of the traffic and road conditions got us to JFK in one piece.  When we finally arrived at the airport, our plane was understandably delayed.  The highlight of the afternoon was when we realized while sitting at JFK waiting for the plane to arrive, that had we driven north from our house at the time we left for the airport, we would have already arrived in Buffalo.

But we did eventually arrive, and quickly made our way to The Church, a beautiful former United Methodist church that had been transformed into a concert hall.  We joined concert goers and Salvation Army supporters at a fundraising dinner then began preparations for a unique concert played while the audience remained seated at their tables (dinner theatre style). 

While music was being prepared and instruments warmed up, our principal trombone player made the unfortunate realization that his instrument had been left on the bus.  After many frantic attempts to reach the bus driver failed, a friend from Buffalo saved the day just seconds before the band walked onto the concert stage.  He loaned the trombone section an ancient trombone.  After some sectional switching of instruments and mouthpieces—all except for Warren Smith, bass trombone, who had his own problems in that he forgot his glasses—we were ready for action.  Perhaps not quite comfortable…but ready none the less.  Great job, Burt and Dorothy, on making it seem as though nothing had happened!  

Overall, it was a great concert.  We played Fanfare of Praise, Ceaseless Service, Exultate, The Holy War…just to name a few of the pieces.  Our soloists shone in Crossroads (played by Gordon Ward), The Better World (played by Aaron VanderWeele), The Old Rugged Cross (played by Burt Mason), and Call of the Cossacks, which featured the previously mentioned soloists along with Andrew Garcia.  The venue was fantastic and the audience appreciative.  I was especially happy to see some old friends from St. Catharines, a corps in Canada who had brought a large contingent down to hear the concert.  After the shaky beginning to the day, we were very happy with how it ended.

The true excitement for me began on Saturday morning.  Just being close to the Canadian border and breathing in the cool northern air is special.  I could hardly wait to get going as the bus slowly made its way to the border and on to Toronto.  When we arrived at the St. Lawrence Centre, we had some time to hear some of the other bands participating in the Hannaford Festival of Brass and met some friendly people who were anticipating our concert that evening.  Although it was cold and we had limited time, we were able to spend a couple of enjoyable hours around the St. Lawrence Market area of the city.  One of the highlights of the afternoon was listening to a concert by Intrada Brass which featured on horn a much-loved former member of the NYSB, Kevin Norbury, and his wife, Gena.

The concert in the evening went well.  It is always a little more exciting to play in front of a knowledgeable “band” audience, and the crowd in Toronto did not disappoint.  For a review of our concert and a listing of the repertoire, please click here.  Overall, it was a great day in a great city.  Thanks to Curtis Metcalf, Artistic Director of the Hannaford Street Silver Band, for the invitation!!  Please invite us again.

On Sunday morning, we traveled to Hamilton and were privileged to participate in worship at the Mountain Citadel Corps, hosted by former staff band members Philip and Sarah Rayment.  The Sunday morning meeting was a tremendous experience.  Expertly led by our Executive Officer, Major Richard Munn, the entire meeting was focused and pointed.  The Holy Spirit spoke to us and challenged us through Major Munn’s words and all that happened throughout the morning. 

It was a terrific experience to be at Mountain Citadel.  Personally, I had the opportunity to see some old friends, and it is always great to see Phil and Sarah Rayment and their children Micaela and Ethan.  At the concert in the afternoon, B/M Ron Waiksnoris handed his baton over to Phil, who is now the bandmaster of the accomplished Mountain Citadel Band, to conduct the NYSB in Cairo Red Shield.   

After a quick afternoon concert, we boarded the bus to head back to Buffalo—surprisingly without tears on my part—feeling that we had experienced a great weekend in Buffalo, Toronto and Hamilton.