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Virtuoso artistry abounds in return to a fully in-person festival
By Nate Rensink
APRIL 23 , 2022 - The New York Staff Band ’ s annual festival , now in its 135th year , is a highlight of the spring calendar for brass band aficionados . NYSB is certainly no stranger to working with high profile artists ; festivals in recent years have seen them collaborate with The Cory Band and Black Dyke Band . For their 2022 festival , the New York Staff Band welcomed star euphonium soloist David Childs to the beautiful West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood , New Jersey .
Represented throughout the program was NYSB ’ s primary mission of ministry through music , and they drew from a large repertoire of composers associated with the band and past Composers in Residence . Each half of the program was anchored by ‘ set test piece ’ works from the traditional brass band contest repertoire - Peter Graham ’ s Essence of Time and James Curnow ’ s Trittico . The clarion fanfares of the latter ’ s take on a classic brass band march : Faith is the Victory ( based on the hymn of the same name ) started the program after
a welcome from USA Eastern Territorial Commander , Commissioner William Bamford .
NYSB alumnus Stephen Bulla ’ s Chorale and Toccata was an excellent contrast following the energetic opening . It began with a more subtle touch that allowed Bandmaster Derek Lance to demonstrate a carefully shaped approach , highlighting the warm colors and superb intonation of NYSB . Dynamic shaping was built steadily by Lance , and a beautiful balance was maintained even in stronger moments . In the Toccata , we heard why this has become a test piece for brass bands , with technical passages beginning in the cornets and euphoniums moving across the remaining stands . The solo sections were well taken care of by Brindley Venables , Daniel Wajda , and Stewart Dalrymple as the piece moved to its exciting conclusion .
To paraphrase Lance , “ In an age of hyperbole it is maybe easy to get carried away , but it is probably not an exaggeration to state that David Childs is one of the greatest brass players alive on planet Earth .” Childs ’ choice of opening work , Sarasate ’ s Zigeunerweisen , was quick to demonstrate his well-deserved reputation . Written as a showpiece for violin , you could forgive a listener for believing it an original composition for Euphonium based on this performance . Playing from memory ( as he would all evening ) each phrase , from the opening arpeggios to the swirling main melody , was crafted and executed at the highest level - quite a feat given the questions this work asks of its soloist . After the conclusion , Mr . Childs stepped to the microphone to announce his next work , Evelyn Glennie ’ s A Little Prayer . This version was arranged and presented to David as a birthday gift by his father , a world-class euphonium soloist himself . Before starting we were reminded of the recent loss of one of the brass band world ’ s great figures , Mr . Richard Evans , to whom Childs dedicates this performance . The music was lyrical and introspective , and the quality of his sound was on display throughout . An extra moment ’ s silence at the end added poignancy . For the third of his appearances in the first half , Mr . Childs again wowed the audience with his technical prowess throughout his own arrangement of Simone Mantia ’ s Endearing Young Charms .
To close their own portion of the first half , NYSB performed Philip Rayment ’ s arrangement of Be Still and Know , a lush setting of Psalm 46 . In the acoustics of this sanctuary , the NYSB showcased the impact a hymn tune can have when played at this level . The first half ended with Peter Graham ’ s iconic The Essence of Time . We were reminded of the work ’ s preface ( another thoughtful programming decision ), from Ecclesiastes , Chapter 3 : “ To everything there is a season , and a time to every purpose
THE SALVATION ARMY USA EAST FALL 2022 ������������� ‡ 9