A Servant of the Most High
Erik Leidzén , Dick Holz , Vernon Post – those were the names mentioned reverentially by musicians I met when I first encountered Army banding and the whole magical world of Army worship culture through the ministry of the Newark Northside Corps as a teenager . At Star Lake Music Camp in 1953 , I got to see firsthand how that triumvirate worked closely together to teach , train , inspire , and to help mold the spiritual lives of the young people who were fortunate enough to enjoy their ministry . Vernon Post was the youngest of the three , but his youth was by no means a hindrance to the quantity or quality of his contributions .
He had come to his position as second in command of the Eastern Territorial Music Department from a Salvation Army background ( his parents were Officers ). His credentials were impeccable , including a degree from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and great skill in composing , arranging , and editing various kinds of music . Composing and editing music , however , were just one part of what he brought to ministry . He was devoted to the task of enhancing and preserving the Army ’ s unique worship patterns by teaching young people and by providing a role model for how a brilliant and talented young man could make his mark in the world by giving to others and by serving the Lord unselfishly .
Vernon served in the U . S . Navy during World War 2 , but when the war ended , Dick Holz , with the help of Erik Leidzén , concluded that the Army ’ s banding situation in the
U . S . demanded a new approach . Army bands were smaller in size than they had been , and required a different approach to instrumentation than was available in current Army musical publications . From their efforts , soon aided by the newly
commissioned Vernon Post with his wife , Kate , the American Band Journal came into being featuring numerous original compositions and arrangements by Leidzén , Holz , many other composers - and a young Vernon . Their efforts proved immensely useful and popular ( The American Band Journal is still being published , and has recently printed its 367th piece .) Vernon ’ s many contributions to that Series and to Army vocal publications include marches ,
selections , and beautifully arranged vocal numbers , along with the talent he brought to bear in editing and preparing the frequent volumes for publication .
Vernon ’ s talents soon propelled him to the leadership of the Eastern Territorial Music Department where he assumed responsibility for all of the musical activities and publications . That service included several years as Bandmaster of the New York Staff Band and Director of Star Lake Music Camp . During Vernon ’ s tenure as Bandmaster of the NYSB , the Band reached unparalleled levels of musical excellence , toured Europe twice , and released several superb recordings .
My experience of Vernon , however , goes beyond his obvious professional accomplishments . Our Band service overlapped ( from 1955 to 1960 ) during which time I had myriad opportunities to get to know him , his insights , his vision – and his wit ( of which he had an abundance ). He was invariably a brilliant , talented , visionary , unselfish , and devoted servant of the Lord who in all of his living showed compassion for those he met and interacted with .
When I think of this wonderful Army musical worship culture that we share ( and which I enjoy and participate in to this day in my own little Corps in Schenectady , New York ), I often think of the names Leidzén , Holz , and Post . I particularly thank God for Vernon ’ s life and his influence .
He was indeed a servant of the Most High .
— DONALD ROSS
12 NYSB BULLETIN SUMMER 2023
WWW . NYSB . ORG