Sunday morning came around quickly and the New York Staff Band were pleased to be back with the ladies and gentlemen of the Manhattan Adult Rehabilitation Center in NYC . After missing this worship time with the ARC in 2020 due to COVID , the band was blessed to listen and share in testimonies , which never fails to be a moving experience year after year . In addition to the band ’ s Executive Officer , Lt . Colonel Kathleen J . Steele bringing the word and challenge , a particular testimony stood out . A gentleman that has been at the ARC since 1991 shared that each year he looks forward to the band coming because of the lasting joy it brings him . As usual , a good meal followed the service and left a little bit of time before heading back over
the Hudson River to New Jersey for a joint concert with the Princeton Brass Band . NYSB principal euphonium , Aaron Vanderweele has recently taken over the reigns at Princeton Brass Band and was very quick to establish a relationship between both bands in which there is much crossover with members and audience . The venue for the final concert of the Christmas weekend was a fabulously restored 1927 theatre in the heart of Bound Brook , NJ . A nice crowd gathered and there was much anticipation for the evening of music ahead .
The Princeton Brass Band took to the stage first presenting several familiar SA Christmas pieces in addition to some more jazzy holiday tunes featuring several members around the band as soloists . In a
quick stage change , The New York Staff Band presented its items , bringing a message of peace and hope in the more tender moments and the reminder that Christ is the light that shines through us all in Peter Graham ’ s timeless , “ Shine as the Light ”.
In another quick stage change the massed bands joined together to present Stephen Bulla ’ s march “ Bells of Christmas ”, William Hime ’ s up-tempo jazz arrangement – “ Three Kings Swing ” and ( in a bit louder than the night before ), PLC ’ s “ Christmas Finale ”
It was a good end to a busy weekend of traveling around the metro New York area , but certainly something the band is happy to do each year , even with all of the other commitments that come with the Christmas season .
THE SALVATION ARMY USA EAST WINTER 2022 NYSB BULLETIN ‡ 13