USA East Music NYSB BULLETIN - WINTER 2018 | Page 6

Commissioning Weekend 2018 Report
Ryan McCrudden, NYSB Principal Euphonium
JUNE 15-17, 2018 — The New York Staff Band
concluded its 2017/18 season in Hershey,
Pennsylvania for the Commissioning weekend
of the Eastern Territory’s “Messengers of the
Gospel” session of cadets. While the final “duty”
event for the band, preceding a lengthy summer
break, Commissioning weekend festivities
typically provide an optimistic and galvanizing
conclusion to the band’s long season.
Kicking off the weekend was the annual
Commencement service for the graduating
session of cadets. Here, an ensemble from the
band serves to provide preliminary music and a
complimentary tunes to support the formality
of the occasion. Congregational songs “All Hail
the Power” and “We Have a Gospel to Proclaim”
were featured during the service. In addition,
the weekend’s special guests (Colonels
Douglas and Colleen Riley – Chief Secretary
and Territorial Secretary for Women’s ministries,
USA West) were introduced and immediately
provided impactful ministry insights and
biblical teachings.
The weekend’s theme, “This Is My Story,”
was the titular mainstay of each gathering
and meeting that would take place. Saturday
morning saw over 2,000 people attend the
annual Star Search Territorial Finals for music
and creative arts. Indeed, it was a chance for
young people to tell their story through music
and creative arts offerings. Children, aged 8-21,
compete in various solo and group-based
brass, vocal, piano, dance, guitar and drama
disciplines. Many NYSB personnel participate,
organize and direct traffic throughout the
arduous undertaking that is Star Search. This
year saw more competitors, throughout a
wider spectrum of competing categories, than
ever before.
After a short dinner reprieve and perhaps
a few chocolate bars, the Saturday evening
festival was upon us. The lone preliminary
number presented by the Staff Band was
Andrew Wainwright’s new composition –
Fearless. As it has been featured throughout
the band’s second half of the season, Fearless
was the winning selection from the NYSB’s
first composer’s competition. Referencing
the theme, “This Is My Story,” the evening
festival was chock full of video testimonials
from individuals who have triumphed over
challenging circumstances, dances from
various corps groups, dramatic presentations
from the TAM (Territorial Arts Ministries) team
and wonderfully prepared musical selections
from the newly appointed Eastern Territorial
Staff Songsters.
Sunday morning at Commissioning is
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usually a deeply reflective and emotional
setting for many involved and attending.
Dorothy Gates’ new contemplative setting of Be
Still was presented as a preliminary opener – a
most fitting selection for the occasion. For the
offertory, the band presented Kevin Larsson’s
They Shall Come from the East. Expertly
woven, this timeless tune slowly progresses
to a relentlessly passionate and tremendously
uplifting conclusion of the original melody.
While the piece was well received, the sudden
impact on the spirit of the morning service was
more profound.
As is customary each year at Commissioning
weekend, the Staff Band gathers together for
a brief luncheon, celebrating the efforts and
service of the band throughout the past year.
As well, it is a time to celebrate and recognize
new members joining the band and honoring
those who are departing from years of stellar
service with the band. This year the band
welcomed newcomers Mackenzie Dalrymple
(1st Horn), Noah Rife (1st Cornet) and Robert
Myers (Percussion). With great appreciation and
distinction, the band recognizes Karen Shaffstall
for 10 years of service. Also, the band welcomes
back Major Stewart Dalrymple (Soprano Cornet)
and Lieutenant Jonathan Quatela (Solo Cornet)
to the band’s ministry. Never to be taken for
W W W. N Y S B. O R G