From the Bandmaster
One thing that I find very interesting is the concept of New Year ’ s Resolutions and more specifically , the development and selection of your new goals and priorities for the new year . I don ’ t necessarily make New Year ’ s Resolutions , but I certainly will spend some time thinking about how the new year will kick off .
For those in The Salvation Army , and music makers in particular , the Christmas season can be one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year . One of my favorite feelings is the natural progression from exhaustion to rejuvenation that occurs over the post-Christmas break and before the new year begins . There is a natural reset with the flip of the calendar , and I find myself gradually getting excited about the new year and new challenges .
A few weeks ago , I was looking at an article about New Year ’ s Resolutions and was intrigued to see a few lists specifically for musicians . I wonder if any of these are interesting to you .
• Listen to new genres : Being a musician isn ’ t all about producing sound . You can learn a ton and get inspiration just by listening .
• Collaborate with people regularly : Collaboration can take many different shapes and forms . Not only can you make magic happen as you bounce ideas off each other , but you also become a better listener and creator .
• Find an accountability partner : An accountability partner is super helpful for providing support and structure around your goals . Find a like-minded friend and set up some milestones you want to hit by a certain time .
• Learn the “ why ” behind the music : If you tend to just play through songs and pieces to enjoy how they sound , consider learning why it sounds good to you . This isn ’ t about learning music theory but about gaining more insight into the music you love to play and having a more fulfilling musical experience .
As this new year begins , I hope that you are taking a moment to consider what you can do during this year . While this list is meant to be for musicians , these items can certainly speak to a Christian musician in The Salvation Army .
I am challenged to go deeper in my relationship with the Lord , to go deeper in my relationships with other people , to understand why we do what we do , and try to make a real change in my life and encourage change in the lives of those around me .
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 says the following : “ For Christ ’ s love compels us , because we are convinced that one died for all , and therefore all died . And he died for all , that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again . So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view . Though we once regarded Christ in this way , we do so no longer . Therefore , if anyone is in Christ , the new creation has come : The old has gone , the new is here !”
I pray that as you read this you are blessed and encouraged , possessing a sense of excitement and refreshment as we move into 2023 .
2022 – 2023 New York Staff Band
LEADERSHIP
TERRITORIAL LEADERS USA EAST Commissioners William A . and G . Lorraine Bamford
EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lt . Colonel Kathleen Steele
BANDMASTER Derek W . Lance
2023 BAND PERSONNEL
BANDMASTER Derek W . Lance
SOPRANO CORNET Major Stewart Dalrymple
SOLO CORNET Brindley Venables Robert Venables Captain Jonathan Quatela Brian Smith
FIRST CORNET Jonathan George Major Joshua Lyle
James Dorce
SECOND CORNET Lt . Colonel Kathleen Steele Peter Vaughan
FLUGEL HORN Daniel Wajda
SOLO HORN Matthew Hodgson Mackenzie Dalrymple
FIRST HORN
Fred Mbesi
SECOND HORN Tatiana Dennison
FIRST BARITONE Brandon Finnie
SECOND BARITONE Christian Riesebieter
FIRST TROMBONE
Mark Baker Lorena Simmonds-Lance
SECOND TROMBONE
Nathan Power Dorothy Gates
BASS TROMBONE Warren Smith , Jr .
EUPHONIUM Aaron VanderWeele
Devonte Thompson
E-FLAT TUBAS Christopher Webster Michael DeVault
B-FLAT TUBAS Simon Morton Andrew Dressler
PERCUSSION Andrew Boynton Robert Myers Edward Hardy Jake Lyle
Derek W . Lance Bandmaster , NYSB
COLOR SERGEANT Charles F . Olsen , Jr ..
MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST Major Stephen Ditmer
2 NYSB BULLETIN WINTER 2023
WWW . NYSB . ORG