USA East Music NYSB BULLETIN - WINTER 2019/20 | Page 10

come. On a personal note it was a real honor to have the NYSB play two of my pieces, ‘And Can it Be?’ and ‘Rhapsody on St Francis’ and I would like to sincerely thank the band and Bandmaster Derek Lance for their fine renditions of both works. Let us hope it is not the last time we get the opportunity to hear these two great bands together! COMMISSIONER WILLIAM A. BAMFORD USA EASTERN TERRITORIAL LEADER What a spectacular evening with the New York Staff Band and the Cory Band – two premier bands uniting on the stage! It was a night that delivered a wide variety of music that touched each individual attending the concert. The high standard of musical performance was evident! The full house at Centennial Memorial Temple auditorium was blessed by the NYSB’s high level of proficiency and ministry, and once again, the message of God’s love was delivered through music and the spoken Word. It is a night that will not be forgotten. I am grateful to Philip Harper and the Cory Band for their willingness to share in the evening and to share their superb musicianship with the USA Eastern Territory. superbly-presented musical presentations. Amazing! Our NYSB spoke volumes in its artful rendering of scriptural truths through music. Thank you for keeping the main thing – the main thing. (It is, of course, my humble opinion that “trombones make the band,” and they once again did not disappoint.) COLONEL KENNETH O. JOHNSON, JR. CHIEF SECRETARY, USA EASTERN TERRITORY Having been a Salvation Army musician my entire life, it has been my joy to attend performances over the years by some of the best brass bands and soloists on the global stage. However, the recent joint concert of the NYSB and Cory Band was in a class all by itself. What we witnessed was, indeed, the finest brass band music available, performed by the world renowned NYSB as well as a stellar and flawless musical feast by the undisputed best brass band in the world, Cory Band. Yes, the music quality was stunningly awesome. But what helped to make the evening magical was the ease with which each band delivered on their musical mission statement. It was incredibly moving to not only hear various brass band compositions played at the highest level by the NYSB, but it was a spiritual blessing for the NYSB to support their musical ministry by highlighting the lyrics and scripture references upon which each piece was COMMISSIONER G. LORAINE BAMFORD USA EASTERN TERRITORIAL LEADER It was a privilege to attend the fantastic NYSB/Cory combined concert – a once in a lifetime experience. I especially enjoyed the Cory Band’s innovative weaving of Romeo and Juliet’s literary magic through various 10   ‡   N Y S B B U L L E T I N   W I N T E R 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 W W W. N Y S B. O R G