The [bclink id=”938″ target=”_blank”] (Bandmaster John Lam) was pleased to visit [bclink id=”1186″ target=”_blank”] on the weekend of 7 – 8 March 2015. Although, at that time, there were no members of the Staff Band from that corps, it has historically been a solid supporter of the Staff Band’s ministry, with numerous Oshawa Temple musicians having done double duty in this capacity.
After gathering for a sound check and rehearsal on Saturday afternoon, the Staff Band participated in “The Gift of Music”, a celebratory concert which also featured the Oshawa Temple Band (Bandmaster Andrew Burditt), [bclink id=”998″ target=”_blank”] and Oshawa Temple Singing Company.
After marching in as the Youth Band played Percy Merritt’s march Mighty to Save from the old Canadian Band Journal, the Staff Band started the program with an invigorating rendition of Saints of God (James Curnow). Other items in the first half included On We March (Kevin Larsson), My Tribute (Andraé Crouch, arr. Barrie Gott) featuring flügelhorn/trumpet soloist Doug Chaulk, Big Little Fugue in G minor (Bach, arr. William Himes), Chris Mallett’s euphonium solo Travelling Along featuring soloist Steve Pavey. Two contrasting items by Ray Steadman-Allen were also offered, Trombone Vespers featuring the entire trombone section and the classic air and variations Go Down, Moses.
In between items from the Staff Band, the Oshawa Temple Band presented Fanfare, Hymn and Thanksgiving (Dudley Bright). The Singing company performed two items, Let There Be Praise (Dick and Melody Tunney) and Agnus Dei (Michael W. Smith).
Following the intermission, the Staff Band continued with Endless Praise (William Himes), Pound the Streets (Paul Lovatt-Cooper) and Faith Is the Victory (Sam Creamer). The Oshawa Temple Band followed with Dudley Bright’s Paean. The program then took a more devotional tone as the Staff Band played Craig Woodland’s new arrangement, Be Still, and Executive Officer Major Kevin Metcalf offered Scripture and a brief comment. The devotional period concluded with a massed vocal item, Jesus, Thou Art Everything to Me (arr. William Himes), accompanied by Bill Way on the piano.
To end the evening, the Staff Band presented Peter Graham’s The Last Amen before uniting with Oshawa Temple Band for Erik Silfverberg’s arrangement of the traditional Celtic Blessing. Proceeds from the concert were directed to a special scholarship fund to assist young people with the cost of attending summer music camps, and, thanks to those who purchased $10 tickets for the program, more than $1,700 was raised for this admirable purpose.
On Sunday, the Staff Band shared in morning worship, led by Major Metcalf, with participation by various members of the group. Following a prelude which included In Quiet Pastures (Ray Steadman-Allen) and Coronation Fanfare and Intrada (Kenneth Smith), the Staff Band’s main selection in the service was a new song arrangement by Noel Brooks, His Strength Is Perfect. It was also the Staff Band’s privilege to accompany the Beginners Band and Step-up Group in Joyful, Joyful (arr. Kevin Metcalf). In keeping with the theme of the meeting, Oshawa Temple Songsters presented The Well Is Deep (arr. Norman Bearcroft) preceding Major Metcalf’s sermon on Jesus and the Woman at the Well, from JOhn 4:5–42.
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