The Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam) has announced, with great sadness, the passing of Bandsman Ken Graham (North York Temple) on 24 December 2018. Graham was a member of the Staff Band cornet section for nine years, 1985–1994.
On 1 December 2018, the National Capital Band (Bandmaster Dr. Steve Kellner) was at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia, for Joyful & Triumphant, a Christmas concert and carol sing-a-long.
On the weekend of 16 – 18 November 2018, the New York Staff Band (Bandmaster Derek Lance) traveled to the Massachusetts Division for a ministry weekend that included stops in Worcester, Canton, Boston, and Brockton. Massachusetts Divisional Music Director (DMD) Matthew Luhn and his team organized the events of the weekend.
The London Central Fellowship Band (Bandmaster David Rudd) launched their latest recording with a concert at Regent Hall on 17 November 2018. Just under 300 people were in attendance for a fantastic night of music-making, raising funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity. All of the profits realized by Citadel Promotions, the producers, will benefit the hospital charity, leading to the title of the recording, Brass for GOSH.
On Sunday, 28 October 2018, the Kintambo Band (Bandmaster Henri Makanda Nkodia) had the privilege of being on duty at the Menkao Post in the Plateau District (the eastern part of the city of Kinshasa) for the district’s tenth anniversary Thanksgiving service.
The Melbourne Staff Band (Bandmaster Ken Waterworth) traveled to the Surf Coast on Remembrance Day to support the work of the Salvation Army in the Torquay area.
On 10 November 2018, the Sale Band was pleased to support Sale Remembers, a special commemoration of Remembrance Day and 100 years since the end of World War I. The event was held at St. Paul’s Church in Sale.
The Salvation Army’s National Capital Area Command held its second annual “Thanks for Giving” concert on Sunday, 11 November 2018, at the Rachel Schlesinger Hall on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Virginia. This seasonal concert has three themes: honoring military service and sacrifice (Veterans Day), giving thanks (Thanksgiving), and the kickoff of the Christmas season. The concert featured the National Capital Band (Bandmaster Dr. Steve Kellner) and noted gospel singer Anthony Brown and his ensemble, group therAPy.
Amsterdam Staff Bandmaster Olaf Ritman and Staff Band principal cornet Steef Klepke traveled to Germany on the weekend of 2 – 4 November 2018 as guests of the Western Divisional Band (Bandmaster Ruben Schmidt).
The South London Fellowship Band (Bandmaster Darrell Scholes) journeyed to Hove on 20 October 2018 for a joint concert with Hove Community Choir (Leader Margaret Peacock).