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.
Patrick Sheridan, internationally renowned tuba soloist and educator, was the guest soloist for a concert with the London Citadel Band (Bandmaster John Lam) and the London Citadel Songsters, on 26 October 2018.
The Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam) has announced the appointment of Staff Band alumnus Robert Brown of Mississauga Temple to the E♭ bass section.
Bandmaster Andrew Burditt (Oshawa Temple Corps) has rejoined the Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam), taking a seat in the solo cornet section. He is a third-generation member of the Staff Band, the son of former Staff Bandmaster Brian Burditt and grandson of William Burditt, both of whom were founding members in 1969. He originally joined the band in 1994 and served for a total of 16 years before rejoining the band in September 2018.
The 50th Anniversary Season of the Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam) is well underway. The first stop on the Staff Band’s Canada-wide “tour” was in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on the weekend of 13 – 14 October 2018. he event commemorated 125 years of Salvation Army service in Thunder Bay.
The Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam) has appointed Brendan Hill of Yorkminster Citadel to the trombone section.
On the weekend of 1 – 2 April 2017, the Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam) had the opportunity to fellowship and minister with two different yet similar congregations in Pickering, Ontario. At both St. Paul’s on-the-hill Anglican Church and the Salvation Army Hope Community Church, the Staff Band experienced a warm reception from wonderful people.
On 1 October 2016, at Guelph Citadel, The Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam) joined with the youth band of the Ontario Great Lakes Division, Impact Brass (Bandmaster Philip Rayment) and that band’s feeder group, iGNiTE! Brass (Bandmaster Sarah Rayment), for Brass Fusion, a concert marking the end of a day of music clinics and sectional instruction.
As the Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam) began its rehearsals for the new season, several personnel changes were announced, including the appointment of Cameron Rawlins as Deputy Bandmaster.
As always, the London Citadel Band (Bandmaster John Lam) enjoyed an influx of new talent in the fall as students arrive at Western University for post-secondary studies. In addition, some former members have returned to again take up their seats in the ensemble.