NASSAU COUNTY – MAY 15, 2019 – As has been tradition for the past 38 years, the band presented a concert at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, NY for the 38th Annual Youth Enrichment Concert. This concert has been beneficial for the youth of the Salvation Army in the Nassau County area in helping provide funds for year-long programs, and summer camps. The band presented a varied program and featured two special guest soloists – piano soloist Lucy Hepburn from the Hempstead Citadel Corps performed Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” (first movement), and cornet soloist James Dorce from the Westbury Corps performed Ralph Pierce’s “My Jesus I Love Thee” with the NYSB. It was a wonderful night of music ministry supporting the work of the Salvation Army in Nassau County.

NASSAU COUNTY PROGRAM:

The Proclaimers – Kevin Norbury
Call of the Righteous – Leslie Condon
All I Ask of You – arr. Alan Fernie (Featuring Brindley Venables, Cornet & Ryan McCrudden, Euphonium)
Climb Every Mountain – arr. Philip Harper
The Eternal Presence – Eric Ball
Piano Solo: Moonlight Sonata – Beethoven (Featuring Lucy Hepburn, Piano)
They Shall Come From the East (Kevin Larsson)
Manhattan – Erik Leidzen
World Premiere: King of the Seven Heavens – Philip Harper
Cornet Solo: My Jesus I Love Thee – Ralph Pearce (Featuring James Dorce, Cornet)
Band Chorus: Renewal – Harold Burgmayer
Turris Fortissima – Steven Ponsford

RECORDING – MAY 17-18, 2019

The band’s May Duty Weekend featured recording sessions at THQ on Friday and Saturday Sunday morning worship at the Port Chester, NY Corps, and afternoon memorial service at the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY.

We had a marvelous time recording with Philip Cobb for two days as part of our next installment of recording projects. Philip is currently the Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra and Principal Cornet of the Salvation Army Hendon Corps Band. The album will feature new and old works that the band have been using this season, including a new work by NYSB Resident Composer Dr. Dorothy Gates entitled “The Glory of Jehovah” – written especially for the band to play at the Canadian Staff Band’s 50th Anniversary celebration concert in Toronto, Canada, this piece follows the books of Exodus – a new work by Kenneth Downie entitled “God is My Shelter” based around the band’s traditional vocal benediction “Rock of Ages” (T.B. 286 Wells), and a new work by Philip Harper entitled “King of the Seven Heavens based on the song “Be Thou My Vision”. Phil Bulla was once again in the recording engineer’s chair, and Ronald Waiksnoris (former NYSB bandmaster) was on hand as producer.

It was a definite highlight to be able to record with Mr. Cobb – his mastery and musicianship were evident, and he possesses a mix of power and sweetness that is not heard in many players. He was in top form! Each one of the solos he played really showcase the incredible talent that he has. The new CD will be a must-buy for Phil Cobb alone.

Philip Cobb recorded the following solos with the band:

Rest – Dorothy Gates
Dark Haired Marie – Goff Richards
Caprice for Cornet – William Hemes
Alaw – Tom Davoren
Where I Am – Trevor  Davis
La Virgen de le Macarena – Mark Freeh
Scherzo – Andrew Pearce
Glory to His Name – Eric Ball

PORT CHESTER / KENSICO CEMETERY – MAY 19, 2019 – Sunday morning was spent at the Port Chester, NY Corps, where solo cornet player Lt. Jonathan Quatela and his wife Margaret are the corps officers and were excellent hosts.

During morning worship, BM Derek Lance decided to feature Kenneth Downie’s “Myfanwy”, Paul Sharman’s “Everlasting Hope”, Joel Collier’s “Great are you Lord”, Andrew Blyth’s In God’s Presence, and the recently recorded “King of the Seven Heavens” by Philip Harper. After a great lunch, the band headed to Valhalla, NY, about twenty minutes northwest of Port Chester, to participate in the Eastern Territory Annual Memorial Service at Kensico Cemetery.  This annual service recognizes all of the officers in the USA who have been promoted to glory within the past year. It was a special opportunity to take part in this service and pay our respects to those who have served so faithfully in their ministry. The band participated by playing preliminary music, accompanying congregational songs, and by playing Eric Ball’s “Serenity” as a selection. In addition to those items, the cornet section played a unique rendition of “Taps” which ended with a moving moment of silence. It was an emotional service and we were honored to be a part of it.


 

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