God and Country Weekend
By Simon Morton NYSB Bb Bass
OCTOBER 21-23 , 2022 – The New York Staff Band has participated in the annual God and Country concert several times before and was pleased to return to Ohio and share the stage with host , The Brass Band of Columbus . The weekend was not only about this concert however , with a fairly well stocked schedule over the three-day trip that found the band in numerous venues with plenty of opportunities for ministry .
On Friday morning , a portion of the band flew out of Newark , NJ to Columbus , OH and went directly to a local high school with a large music program , and in particular , a band program . The NYSB sat in among the students at Canal Winchester High School and although rather spread out , gave exciting performances of “ Valero ,” “ New York , New York ,” “ A la Manera ” and “ Sky Full of Stars .” The band also had the opportunity to play along with the students on music they had been working on and offer some constructive criticism ! Following this , the band was treated to a fantastic BBQ meal complete with real smoked brisket prepared by none other than ( now legendary hosts ) Captains Jim and Tricia Brennan !
Moving on from lunch , the band travelled to the concert venue for the weekend – the beautiful Church at Mill Run , where we set up and spent time rehearsing relatively new music , “ The Creation Story .” Although the band missed its regular narrator , Colonel Richard Munn , long time friend of the band , Tim Jameson , stepped in and delivered the “ story ” in a convincing manner in preparation for the following evening ’ s festival .
Saturday morning started with warm sunny skies as the band headed over to the local Adult Rehabilitation Center . It ’ s
“ The Church at Mill Run was filled with a great crowd and there was a buzz in the air . This was the first God and Country Concert in three years !”
THE SALVATION ARMY USA EAST WINTER 2023 NYSB BULLETIN 5