The Salvation Army New York Staff Band

Carnegie and Future All Stars

bandadmin — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:18:30 +0000

Westchester/Queens Temple

bandadmin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:34:32 +0000

This weekend provided a unique opportunity to have an away weekend in our backyard. On Saturday evening we were privileged to play a concert in White Plains, NY at the White Plains Presbyterian Church and on Sunday morning we had the great privilege to worship at Queens Temple.

The concert on Saturday evening began with the playing of “War Cry” by Dorothy Gates. We were then welcomed by the Divisional Commander of the Greater New York Division, Lt Col Guy KLemanski. After this the band did a fine reading of Erik Leidzen’s march, “Pressing Onward”. Other items that were featured on this program were cornet solo, “Blessings”, cornet quartet “The Messengers”, euphonium solo “Carrickfergus” and many more.

It was a special cause night for the White Plains Salvation Army in that we were able to share the stage with the YP band in “Young Crusaders” and the While Plains Singing Company was featured on two solo items. It was great to see so many kids out playing and singing and certainly hope that someday a few of these kids will make it to the New York Staff Band.

The NYSB once again featured Peter Graham’s “Voyage to worlds unknown” and Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s piece “Fire in the Blood”. These pieces have been overly popular this year and both received standing ovations.

Sunday morning brought the NYSB to the Queens Temple Corps. This is the bands first ever first visit to Queens Temple and you quickly discover why this corps is the largest in our territory. Right from the outset of the meeting you can sense the excitement, joy and sense of family in this place. On this particular day there were 37 new soldiers enrolled (17 senior, 20 junior). The band featured “The Messengers”, “Valero”, “Pastorale”, “Fire in the Blood” and “Lift up your voice”. Also featured in today’s meeting was the Queens Temple singing company, YP Band and the Queens Temple Worship Band.

It was truly a pleasure to be a part of the service on this day and we thank everyone at Queens Temple for an inspiring and uplifting Sunday Morning.

NYSB – This Weekend’s Activities

bandadmin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:43:06 +0000

This weekend the New York Staff Band will be presenting a concert at the White Plains Presbyterian Church on Saturday at 7pm and will be leading worship Sunday morning at Queens Temple at 10:30am. Come out and see the band in action.

White Plains Presbyterian Church

39 North Broadway

White Plains, NY 10601

Queens Temple

86-07 35th Ave

Flushing, NY 11372

Rehearsal Update April 5, 2012

bandadmin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:02:00 +0000

New York Staff Band rehearsal began today by taking a look at quite a few new pieces. These piece included “My Jesus I Love Thee” (Kevin Downing), “A Day to Stand” (Jeremy Smith), “Synergy” (Martin Cordner), “Witnesses” (Andrew Mackereth) and “Vaildus Deus” (Dean Jones).

After spending some time reading new works, the Band Chorus, led by Dorothy Gates did some work on “A mumblin word” which will be used at the Greater New York Good Friday Service. Following this the band and soprano soloist Chris Ward went through “Pastorale”. Chris is sounding great right now and this will also be used for Friday.

The band then continued on by jumping in to Eric Ball’s “Songs of the morning”. This great old piece is a fine addition to our repertoire and we look forward to using it in the coming months. Following this some more was done in preparation of the Good Friday Service. These pieces included “Now I belong to Jesus” (Ponsford), “Wondrous Cross” (Wilby), “The Lord Bless you and keep you” (Ritman) and “O sacred Head Once Wounded” (arr. Jakeway).

Please make sure to check the NYSB website and facebook page for more info on upcoming events and to see reports of what has transpired.

Profile Night 33

bandadmin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:27:45 +0000

Profile Night 33 – What an event! The Greater New York Division had invited the resident composer for the Black Dyke Mills Band and writer of some of today’s most exciting and inspiring brass band music to follow in the illustrious steps of Eric Ball, Ray Steadman-Allen, Dean Goffin and Kenneth Downie as the composer to be “profiled” in 2012. The NYSB were guests of the GNY Youth Band and Chorus in presenting Paul’s music at the historic Centennial Memorial Temple in the heart of Manhattan. The DC, Colonel Guy Klemanski, welcomed the honored guests, as well as our Territorial Leaders, Commissioners Stephen and Judy Hedgren.
The almost 1000 strong audience were introduced very quickly to the passion and power of Paul Lovatt Cooper’s music as the NYSB blazed into “Enter the Galaxies”. Paul’s music is demanding for the players (fingers needed to be ‘splinted’ afterwards!), but easy on the ear for the listener.
The anticipation was then enhanced by the acknowledgment of the Lord’s presence in everything that was to happen during the next two hours, as the GS Major Evan Hickman prayed.

The NYSB then presented the “Home of Legends”, which is reminiscent of John Williams famous Olympic melody (incidentally, listen for Paul Lovatt Cooper presentations at the London Olympics!). This was written for the legends who have passed through the famous Black Dyke Band, but was very fitting when considering the “legends” who have been featured over the previous 33 years of Profile concerts.
Adam Fyn, our young Canadian member of the NYSB, flawlessly and poignantly presented the Baritone solo “Donegal Bay”. As he completes his studies at Montclair State on Euphonium, we trust he’ll ‘stay around’ for many years to come!
It was now time for Paul to display his percussion skills as he whipped through “Rondo Alla Turka” – a real aerobic work-out and brought the crowd to their feet also!!!
“Where Eagles Sing” is probably Paul’s signature piece and launched his popularity and recognition. After the NYSB’s presentation, Commissioner Hedgren related how this piece had been played several times over as he had driven, one day, across Oklahoma – the windows down and hair streaming in the breeze (yes, that’s what he said!). He then likened the soaring of the eagle to the majesty of the Lord and urged all to seek His presence in their lives.
It was finally time for the GNY Youth Band to step to the fore. This band has maintained an exceptional standard for many, many years and, again, rose to the occasion as they presented “Horizons” under the direction of Gordon Ward. The Youth Chorus then presented “My Simple Prayer”, which uses the same melody as in the earlier solo “Donegal Bay” and reminded those of us who were at the Saturday evening London RAH concert at ISB120 of the massed bands presenting this haunting and beautiful arrangement. The Youth Chorus, under Gavin Whitehouse, created a ‘holy’ moment.
Tim Ward presented the horn solo “An Untold Solo”. This was just sublime. Beautifully played, with sensitive GNYYB accompaniment and ending on a delicate ‘top D’. Personally, this was a highlight for me. I’m am so reassured as I look at Tim and all the other young musicians – our “Army” is in good hands. Thank you.
Gordon’s other son, Chris, then guided the Youth Band skillfully through “Darkside of the Moon”. This considers a barren, desolate place with glimpses of the light on the ‘other side’, which then introduces the true light as Salvationists recognize the melody “Our God Reigns”.
It was Paul Lovatt Cooper’s turn to step to the microphone and shared his testimony. He had grown up in the SA with officer parents, but had ‘drifted away’ as a teenager. When studying with Peter Graham, Peter had recommended to Ron Waiksnoris that Paul would be a good percussion teacher for Star Lake. Paul then explained that Star Lake was a breath of fresh air. He began to consider his faith and during a prayer meeting while singing the song “I Love You Lord”, tears rolled down his cheeks and he realized there was a God and he was saved. He advised anyone in the CMT that if they were not saved, then they were missing out on a wonderful thing! As exciting as the music was, this moment was the pinnacle of the night. He then went on to introduce his “Fire in the Blood”, (it’s US premier and played by the NYSB), which had been written as his testimony for the ISB120 celebrations. It incorporates three SA melodies “Sing Joy to The Lord”, “Lord, You Know That we Love You” and “I Love You Lord”. A stunning piece.
Finally Paul conducted the massed bands in his “Vitae Aeternum”, which features “God Came In Jesus To Live Among Us”, “I Will Praise You” and Ivor Bosanko’s Tune “His Provision”, which accompanies John Gowan’s words “Holy Spirit promised presence fall on me, make me all I want to be, Holy Spirit, Give your power to me, O Holy Spirit” As the Youth Chorus joined the bands in singing these words, I proved that you can play and cry at the same time! Just a wonderful climax to a marvelous, God honoring and soul lifting evening. Congratulations to Gordon Ward and his team – bring on number 34!!!

Rehearsal Update February 29, 2012

bandadmin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:07:16 +0000

Most of this week’s rehearsal was focused on our event this weekend featuring the music of Paul Lovatt-Cooper. The Greater New York Division will be hosting its 33rd Profile on Sunday, March 4 at the Centennial Memorial Temple. This event will feature the New York Staff Band, Greater New York Youth Band & Chorus and guest conductor and soloist, Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

The New York Staff Band will be playing Enter the galaxies, The home of legends, Ronda alla turca, Where eagles sing and Fire in the blood and will join the Greater New York Youth Band & Chorus in Vitae Aeternum. You will certainly want to be there for this event.

Following all the work done on the PLC music, the band did some good and extensive work on William Himes cornet solo, Jubilance. Derek Lance stood in for Philip Cobb on this day as we prepare for Carnegie Hall. Another member of the cornet section, Mike Baker, gave a fine reading of Tico Tico. This solo will also be featured at Carnegie Hall on March 22. After we wrapped up the solos for the day, we did some work on Joseph Turrin’s piece, Rejoice and be glad!

Be sure to visit us after the weekend for a full report of Profile Night 33.

If you haven’t yet purchased your tickets for our 125th Anniversary Festival, please do so today by visiting carnegiehall.org.

Rehearsal Update February 22, 2012

bandadmin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:01:33 +0000

After a great weekend of recording the New York Staff Band was back in rehearsal on Wednesday as they prepare for some big events just on the horizon. Although some work was done on pieces for the 125th Anniversary Festival at Carnegie Hall, most of the work today was focused on Profile Night for Paul Lovatt-Cooper on March 4, 2012 at the Centennial Memorial Temple.

Rehearsal today began with Philip Wilbys arrangement of his own songster piece, “Wondrous Cross”. This arrangement was made at the request of Jonathan Corry, the bandmaster of the Enfield Citadel Band. Great music with powerful words;

When I survey the wondross cross,
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Following this, the band jumped into two PLC pieces, “Home of Legends” and baritone solo, “Donegal Bay”. The second of these pieces was performed by the bands excellent first baritone player, Adam Fyn.

Before jumping back into some PLC, we did some work on William Himes cornet solo, “Jubilance”. This will be performed by Philip Cobb, The Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra, at Carnegie Hall. This is a fabulous solo that is both exciting for the band and the soloist and we look forward to hearing Philip play this.

After some good work on Jubilance, the band dove back into the music of Paul Lovatt-Cooper and rehearsed “Where Eagles Sing” and Vitae Aeternum”. Both of the pieces have become greatly popular all over the world and should be exciting to feature both of these pieces. “Vitae Aeternum” will be the closing item for Profile Night and will feature the New York Staff Band and the Greater New York Youth Band and Chorus. Other pieces featured in rehearsal today were “In Voce Jubiloso”, “Enter the Galaxies”, “Rondo Alla Turca” and “Valero”.

If you haven’t already marked your calendar, please to do so and join the New York Staff Band for Profile Night on March 4, 2012 at the Centennial Memorial Temple and for the bands 125th Anniversary Festival at Carnegie Hall on March 22, 2012.

Band Records New CD

bandadmin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:00:09 +0000

This past weekend, the New York Staff Band completed its latest recording, entitled “Pressing Onward.” The album is being recorded and produced by World of Sound, headquartered in the United Kingdom and features a number of original, world premier pieces.

The Friday evening session began on a pensive note, with the recording of “Consecration,” based on the tune “Hendon,” skillfully composed by Brian Bowen, a former bandmaster of the New York Staff Band. This arrangement offers a sincere musical representation of Frances R. Havergal’s words which commonly accompany the tune:

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

These words are a collective prayer of the band, and it was appropriate to reflect on them upon embarking on this new project.

The band then recorded the two solo numbers that will appear on the album, first of which was “Blessings,” composed by David Catherwood. This cornet solo, skillfully performed by principal cornetist Gordon Ward, is based on Robert Robinson’s hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” This solo offers both new and classic treatments of the hymn, and displays musical prowess on the part of composer and soloist.

Principal euphonium player Ryan McCrudden also performs a solo for this recording, entitled “Carrickfergus.” This classic and well-known Irish air has been expertly arranged by Stephen Roberts, and likewise expertly conveyed by the soloist. Its soaring, melodic style and technical flourishes are sure to please the listener.

Saturday’s session began with “Just as I am,” Wilfred Heaton’s beautiful arrangement, which has become firmly rooted among brass band meditations. Charlotte Elliot, in 1836, penned the words that inspired the title and typically accompany William Bradbury’s tune. The first verse is as follows:

Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

The flowing melodies and triumphant chords of this piece truly display divine inspiration, and are sure to stir the heart of the listener.

Kenneth Downie’s major work, “The Hope of Glory,” was recorded next. This is a technically challenging piece, and deeply cerebral experience for the listener. The many layers and styles of this piece will offer a valuable listening experience. The “Hope” referenced in the title is, as spoken of in Scripture, Christ in the heart of the believer, and the joy this hope brings is shown in Charles H. Gabriel’s words, which inspire the climax of the piece:

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Next, the band recorded a piece newly written by Joseph Turrin exclusively for its upcoming 125th anniversary celebration. This piece, entitled “Rejoice and Be Glad,” is a stunning musical representation of the theme consistently conveyed in the Psalms, to rejoice and be glad in the Lord. This adept translation of joy in musical form will certainly add a stirring and delightful dynamic to the collective listening experience.

The final piece recorded in Saturday’s session was “Fire in the Blood,” yet another exciting work of Paul Lovatt-Cooper, Composer in Association of the world famous Black Dyke Band. This piece contains a number of contemporary worship songs, including “Come Let Us Sing for Joy,” “Lord, You Know That We Love You,” and “I Love You, Lord.” The skillful implementation of these melodies and deep, layered scoring offer a compelling listening experience. This piece made its world premier in June of 2011 with the International Staff Band’s 120th anniversary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall, and it will surely endure for many more years to come.

Sunday, the final day of recording, began in the early afternoon, as bandsmen reconvened after attending their home corps. The session began with a march, “Diamond Jubilee,” composed by Stephen Bulla, who recently retired as Staff Arranger to “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band and White House Orchestra. This march was written to commemorate the 75th year of Eastern Territorial Star Lake Music Camp, through which many famous musicians have come, and many still attend as instructors or guests. The march got many a foot tapping at its premier performance at Star Lake Camp, and it will certainly have the same effect on listeners of this album.

Next was another brand new piece, written for this recording by world-famous composer Peter Graham. “Voyage to Worlds Unknown” is meant to convey the experience of leaving the familiar to embark on a journey through the unfamiliar, in search of potential and opportunity. Peter’s parents experienced such drastic change firsthand upon immigrating to the United States, and the simultaneous emotions of excitement and apprehension are masterfully conveyed through this composition.

Following Graham’s piece was one written by another Irelander, the New York Staff Band’s own Dorothy Gates. Gates, who recently received her doctorate in composition, took the staple Army hymn, “Ever is the War Cry, Victory!” and arranged it into this exciting and engaging piece, simply titled “War Cry.” Salvationist or not, this composition will surely inspire the listener.

Finally, the band recorded the title track of this album, “Pressing Onward,” a classic march in the truest Army spirit, composed by Erik Leidzen.
Special thanks to Adam Goldsmith, Feargus Murphy and Phil Bulla who worked very diligently and professionally in the engineer room all weekend. It was a great pleasure!

Band Visits the United Nations

bandadmin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:17:16 +0000

The Salvation Army New York Staff Band had the privilege of participating in a program at the United Nations General Assembly Hall on Tueasday, February 7, as part of celebrations for World Interfaith Harmony Week.

This was a first for the band. A diverse program with speakers from many countries and many faiths, was led by the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser,and was broadcast worldwide by web cast.

Rehearsal Update February 8, 2012

bandadmin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:12:21 +0000

Our rehearsal today focused entirely on our music for the upcoming recording. We are set to record next weekend in the Centennial Memorial Temple and the pieces are really starting to come in to place for this.

Rehearsal today began with former NYSB Bandmasters Brian Bowens piece “Consecration”. This is such a classy piece of music with a phenomenal message.

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.

After the conclusion of this piece we rolled right into two solos; “Blessings” performed by Gordon Ward and “Carrickfergus” by Ryan McCrudden. Both soloists are in top form and ready for next weekend. We then moved on to a PLC’s “Fire in the Blood”. This is a great piece with high energy and is really starting to take form. This work will also be featured on the Profile Night of PLC on March 4 and the New York Staff Bands 125^th Anniversary Festival at Carnegie Hall.

Today we were fortunate enough to welcome world renowned composer Joseph Turrin to rehearsal. He was able to give us great insight and some good notes on his new piece, “Rejoice and be glad”. The NYSB has had a long relationship with Mr. Turrin and this relationship has provided great works such as “Hymn for Diana”, and “Overture for Brass”.

More work was done “Pressing Onward”, “Voyage to worlds unknown” and “The hope of glory”. The band is coming in to good form for the very large events that we have coming up. If you don’t already have your tickets for our concert on March 22^nd at Carnegie Hall, you will certainly want to get them soon. It is sure to be a great night.

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