From the Executive Officer
Moving Forward
Being outside enjoying all that God has created has always been something that renews me and gives me energy . Because of that enjoyment , I love to participate in a variety of outdoor activities . These activities include bicycling , hiking , skiing , and running . All these activities have one thing in common ; they all include forward movement .
When we think about life , it is always moving forward ; we cannot go backwards in time . This past year and a half has not had the same sense of moving forward . In fact , for many of us , life has seemed to do anything but move forward .
For the New York Staff Band , there was an eight-month period when we did not meet . No music . No ministry . No fellowship . We were not moving forward with the plans and expectations for our usual band season . There came a time when we were able to meet , following strict COVID guidelines , to share in our music ministry once again . The season didn ’ t look anything like any other season we had ever had , but we were moving forward . In this Bulletin you will see articles that talk about the things we were able to do . We certainly felt both a privilege and a responsibility knowing that we were able to play our instruments when many around the world did not have that same opportunity .
We look forward to this new season . We are praying that it will be more like the banding seasons we ’ ve had in the past , but we are determined to minister through our gifts and talents in whatever way is possible and in whatever circumstances come our way .
We are claiming these verses from Philippians 3:13-14 : “ Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead , I ( we ) press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus .”
Commissioners William A . & G . Lorraine Bamford
Territorial Leaders USA , East
Lt . Colonel Kathleen Steele Executive Officer
New York Staff Band
Derek W . Lance Bandmaster
Simon Morton Deputy Bandmaster
Brindley Venables Band Secretary
Dorothy Gates Composer in Residence
Aaron Harris Chorus Leader
Peter Vaughan Band Sergeant
Major Donald Spencer Band Chaplain
Charles F . Olsen , Jr . Treasurer / Property Manager
Warren Smith , Jr . Librarian
Aaron VanderWeele Development Secretary
Lt . Colonel Kathleen Steele Executive Officer , NYSB
2 ‡ NYSB BULLETIN — FALL 2021