NYSB – Future All-Stars 2021
By Simon Morton , NYSB Deputy BM / Bb Bass
MARCH 19-20 , 2021 — The New York Staff Band has been very fortunate to continue its ministry through musically and spiritually inspiring virtual concerts over the last year .
There are , however , certain dates on our yearly calendar that we always look forward to ( perhaps more than others ). Last March , just as COVID headlines were hitting the US and many of us were told that we would be working from home for a couple of weeks , the band sadly had to cancel the much-loved Future All Stars weekend . A year on , and not looking like an in person FAW2021 would be possible , the plan was put in place to implement the first ever Virtual Future All Stars event .
Around 50 students registered for the weekend which would allow them to play along at home with the NYSB who were set up in socially distanced formation and being streamed from the Crestview Conference Center at Territorial Headquarters in West Nyack , New York .
Lt . Colonel Kathy Steele ( cornet ), in her first engagement as the bands Executive Officer , made some introductions . She welcomed , and prayed with the band
and students . Then turned things over to Bandmaster Derek Lance .
Large screens hung behind the band which displayed the Zoom room that the students were gathering in . Band members would periodically turn and see the kids playing along from all kinds of places with one family even having dinner in the kitchen in the background ! This offered a unique perspective for parents to see what goes on at a FAW event rehearsal even if not quite the same thing .
Major Shaun Belanger ( Territorial Candidates Secretary ) brought an entertaining and impassioned devotional to the entire group before the band finished up playing for the evening . The first night ended with a virtual Kahoot trivia game hosted by Mark Baker ( trombone ) and Matt Hodgson ( horn ).
The next morning was perhaps a highlight of the weekend as the players moved into separate Zoom rooms for “ sectional ” masterclasses .
The NYSB is indebted to an actual All- STAR lineup of guests that gave of their time and expertise to coach and demonstrate each section of the band . The lineup was :
Philip Smith — Cornets Sheona Wade — Horns Dudley Bright — Trombones Philip Broome — Euphoniums Derek Fenstermacher — Tubas Jacob Slous — Percussion / Drum Set
“ Phil Smith was so engaging and passionate about playing the trumpet and praising the Lord ! He encouraged us to go “ back to the basics ” not only in our playing but in our faith .”
— Alexis Dill ( Cornet — FAW delegate )
“ The Euphs and Bari ’ s were lucky to spend time with Phil Broome of the West Point Band . Getting a job playing euphonium is more difficult than making it to the NBA , so we were all ears . Phil ’ s playing on the Wilby Euphonium Concerto was spotless and his insight into all things euphonium were a huge benefit to our young Salvationist musicians ! “
— Aaron Vanderweele ( Euphonium )
“ Jacob Slous spoke about the importance of being creative in your practice and expanding your musical “ toolbox ”.
— Daniel Guillame ( percussion )
THE SALVATION ARMY USA EAST SUMMER 2021 NYSB BULLETIN ‡ 3