From the Bandmaster
As 2021 closes for the New York Staff Band , there is a lot to reflect on . The year began with modified rehearsals involving less people spread around the room , virtual weekends , recorded concerts and a great deal of uncertainty about when we would be able to get out in front of people and minister in Jesus ’ name . While there continues to be uncertainty daily , we have been blessed to be able to bring our music and our message of hope to many people , in these last few months . This season started in September in the most normal way possible , with the band participating in the Welcome of Cadets at the Centennial Memorial Temple and then on to Ocean Grove , N . J ., for Salvation Army Day .
October found us on the road doing an away weekend for the first time in nearly two years . We landed in Philadelphia at the Kroc Center where we were engaged teaching young people involved in divisional music programs , played a concert alongside the Philadelphia Kroc Jazz Orchestra , and led worship on the Sunday morning . In November , we found ourselves on the other side of Pennsylvania , in Pittsburgh , launching their Christmas campaign with a concert at Pittsburgh Temple , and had the wonderful privilege of playing for the Pittsburgh Light Up Night that marks the official beginning of the Christmas season .
Closing out our year , we have just completed a whirlwind of activity celebrating Christmas . We were privileged to play for the launch of the giant red kettle in Times Square , share the stage with the Princeton Brass band , worship at the Manhattan Adult Rehabilitation Center and play a concert with Boston Brass … so much fun !
While this year has been filled with uncertainty , doubt , and questions , we are beyond grateful that we have been able to get out of our buildings and proclaim the name of Jesus to those in our corps and communities .
As the year closes out , and as daily uncertainty continues , we pray that you can find hope in that we serve a risen Lord that will be with us in all that we do .
“ Praise the Lord , all nations ! Extol him , all peoples ! For great is his steadfast love toward us , and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever . Praise the Lord !”
— Psalm 117
Derek W . Lance Bandmaster , NYSB
LEADERSHIP
TERRITORIAL LEADERS USA EAST Commissioners William A . & G . Lorraine Bamford
EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lt . Colonel Kathleen Steele
BANDMASTER Derek W . Lance
PERSONNEL
SOPRANO CORNET Major Stewart Dalrymple
SOLO CORNET Brindley Venables BAND SECRETARY Robert Venables Lt . Jonathan Quatela Brian Smith Anthony Barrington
FIRST CORNET Jonathan George Lt . Colonel Kathleen Steele Major Josh Lyle
SECOND CORNET Major Michelle Dressler Peter Vaughan BAND SERGEANT
FLUGEL HORN Daniel Wajda
SOLO HORN Matthew Hodgson BAND CHAPLAIN Mackenzie Dalrymple
FIRST HORN
Fred Mbesi
SECOND HORN Aaron Harris CHORUS LEADER
FIRST BARITONE Brandon Finnie
SECOND BARITONE Christian Riesebieter
FIRST TROMBONE
Mark Baker Dorothy Gates COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE
SECOND TROMBONE Lorena Simmonds-Lance Nathan Power
BASS TROMBONE Warren Smith , Jr . LIBRARIAN
EUPHONIUM Aaron VanderWeele BAND BOARD MEMBER Devonte Thompson
E-FLAT TUBAS Christopher Webster BAND BOARD MEMBER Michael DeVault
B-FLAT TUBAS Simon Morton DEVELOPMENT &
ALUMNI RELATIONS SECRETARY Andrew Dressler
PERCUSSION Andrew Boynton Robert Myers Daniel Guillaume Edward Hardy
COLOR SERGEANT Charles F . Olsen Jr . TREASURER / PROPERTY MANAGER
2 ‡ NYSB BULLETIN WINTER 2022
MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST
Major Steve Ditmer