Future All – Stars Recollections by Ron Waiksnoris
Future All – Stars was created after Major Tom Mack read in the “ British Bandsman ” magazine that the famous Grimethorpe Band had a youth band . He asked in a band board meeting why the staff band didn ’ t have something similar . Everyone agreed there was no good reason , so a committee was put together to come up with a plan . The name “ All – Stars ” was considered but with the focus on an age group of 13 – 18 years , the word “ future ” seemed more appropriate . We wanted an 18-year-old cutoff for the best age group socialization and the ability for young people to move up in the band and become leaders and not have to wait for the opportunity .
The difficulty of the music we played was challenging but for me the concept of developing Salvationist , Christian musicians , was more important . We had prayer groups so the Future All – Stars could get to know the New York Staff Band members . Overall , we wanted a strong emphasis on the spiritual nature of playing in a Salvation Army band .
When we started there was no real budget so the staff band members did pretty much everything . We made the beds at Hilltop and cooked and washed the dishes . Set up and clean up were all divided among the band members as we pretty much roughed it at Star Lake Hilltop . After a few years of success , the Green Family Foundation began funding the event and it moved to the Star Lake Conference Center .
In those first few years , Aaron VanderWeele was the engine that made it all work . He set up auditions , communicated with the delegates and their divisional music directors and parents ; he organized airport pickups as needed and was simply most instrumental in getting Future All – Stars off the ground . Young people from every USA territory and Canada were a part of the early years of Future All – Stars .
It ’ s great to know that from those early days , the program is thriving .
THE SALVATION ARMY USA EAST SUMMER 2024 NYSB BULLETIN 3