NYSB 135th Reunion
By Fred Mbesi NYSB First Horn
SEPTEMBER 23-25 , 2022 – The first ministry weekend for the New York Staff Band ’ s 2022- 23 season was a bit different than in recent years . Instead of accompanying new Cadets with rousing music as they enter the College for Officer Training , the band celebrated its 135 th anniversary with a reunion ! Territorial Headquarters was filled with the chatter and laughter of current and former Staff Band members coming together and catching up with one another . After a welcome from current Staff Bandmaster Derek Lance and Executive Officer Lt . Colonel Kathleen Steele , the weekend was officially underway !
The first aspect of the weekend , aptly titled “ Through the Decades ,” featured notable anecdotes and memories from the band ’ s history from the 1950s and up . Some of the highlights mentioned were the band being on-duty for the opening of the Army ’ s work in Puerto Rico , the admittance of women into the band , and the many tours the band has undertaken ( including the 1982 world tour ). A through line many of the memories shared was the band remaining viable in its mission to serve the present age and point others towards Jesus . We are indebted to Vernon Post , Jr ., Derek Smith , Ron Waiksnoris , Ian Anderson , Pete Russell , and Gus Berry for giving us a snapshot of their times in the band .
Following this time of reflection , everyone gathered into the band room for a session of playing through a myriad of different pieces led by Derek Lance , former Staff Bandmasters Derek Smith and Ron Waiksnoris , and former composer-inresidence Peter Graham . Each piece had some sort of significance in the band ’ s history , whether it was written specifically for the band / territory ( such as Kevin Norbury ’ s scintillating march “ The Proclaimers ” and Peter Graham ’ s “ Hail SLC ” and groundbreaking “ Shine as the Light ”) or was used by the band over the years ( Eric Ball ’ s “ Sound Out the Proclamation ” and Wilfred Heaton ’ s “ Praise ,” for example , fit in this category ). It was a great way to kick off what would be a memorable
weekend together .
The weather on Saturday was perfect for a baseball game ! The group took a field trip to The Bronx to watch the New York Yankees take on and ultimately crush the Boston Red Sox 7-5 . After arriving back to THQ and having dinner together , Derek Lance shared some of his personal highlights of the band ’ s ministry over the past twenty years . While the celebratory occasions such as the 2000 Atlanta Congress , ISB120 , the premiere of Dorothy Gates ’“ The Glory of Jehovah ,” and the recent concert with the Cory Band were mentioned , Lance also took the time to reflect on some of the more difficult aspects of this season . These included the promotion to glory of longtime Assistant Territorial Music Secretary Tom Scheibner , and the band ’ s ministry during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Our evening program featured several Staff Bandsmen in a recital , expertly accompanied by Rhonda Venables and Dr . Dorothy Gates . There was a great wealth of
THE SALVATION ARMY USA EAST
WINTER 2023 NYSB BULLETIN 3