The Canadian Staff Band was involved in an interesting event in early March. On Friday, March 2, the band participated in Hannaford Street Silver Band's annual Festival of Brass weekend. This concert featured two other bands along with the CSB.
The Ontario Central Reservists Band kicked off the evening, conducted by Bandmaster Geoff Norton. Music included Barrie Gott’s "Swingtime Religion," William Himes' march "Motivation," and the Andrew Lloyd Webber song, "Love Changes Everything," featuring vocalist Phil Christie.."
A highlight of the band's entertaining and varied program was the old Erik Leidzen cornet trio "What a Friend," played by Deryck Diffey, Gary Dean (both CSB alumni) and Jim White. It was clear from this performance that these veteran players can still deliver the goods. The large and appreciative audience approved with sustained applause.
The Weston Silver Band, led by their music director, Larry Shields, produced a high-quality program that included "Blenheim Flourishes" (James Curnow), Louis
Prima’s crowd pleaser, "Sing Sing Sing," featuring CSB alumnus Gord Mayer on drums, and Rimmer’s march, "Slaidburn
The CSB opened their program with Curnow’s "Fanfare and Flourishes," followed by the Leslie Condon festival march, "Celebration." Ron Heintzman gave what was, for him, a premiere performance of another Curnow composition, "Concertpiece for Cornet." This was followed by three movements from Peter Graham’s expansive work, "Windows of the World." To change the mood, Bandmaster Brian Burditt included the lovely arrangement by Barrie Gott, "On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss." Then to conclude, the band presented the Edward Gregson classic, "Variations on Laudate Dominum."
Other bands participating in the weekend festival included Intrada Brass and the HSSB Youth Band. The New York Staff Band (Bandmaster Ron Waiksinoris) presented a gala concert on Saturday night. The HSSB concluded events with a Sunday afternoon concert entitled "Heavy Metal" conducted by Curtis Metcalf, which included NYSB soloists Michael Baker (cornet) and Aaron Vanderweele (euphonium).
On Saturday, the CSB travelled to London Citadel, where we were hosted by London Citadel Band for a weekend of music-making with local corps forces. This was particularly evident in the Saturday night program, "Brass Praise," which included participation by three young people's bands: the beginners group, led by Deborah Dawe; the intermediate band, led by Daren Tilley; and the youth band, led by London Citadel Bandmaster John Lam. It was our privilege to work with each of these groups during the afternoon in preparation for the evening concert.
CSB items featured from the previous night in Toronto were reprised, along with "Cossack Fire Dance" from Peter Graham’s "Call of the Cossacks." This is proving to be a popular number with audiences, and features five soloists from within the band on trombone - Steve Brown (cornet), Barrington Venables (trombone), Steve Pavey (euphonium), Ron Heintzman (cornet) and Stan Ewing (xylophone). Barrington also gave a brilliant performance of Kevin Hayward's arrangement of "Joshua Swings the Battle." Two other swing items were also enjoyed by the large and appreciative audience - "Wade in the Water" (Ballantine) and "All Aboard" (Farrell). To conclude the concert, the CSB gave a stirring performance of the latest major work by Robert Redhead, "Christ-Hymn."
The CSB appreciated hearing the various young people's band from the corps. The future certainly bodes well for brass players at London Citadel if what we heard is anything to go by. Bandmaster Lam and his workers are to be commended for their efforts in promoting brass banding in the area.
On Sunday, the CSB led morning worship, under the direction of Major Ron Millar, executive officer. Following a devotional prelude, ending with the upbeat vocal arrangement, "Righteousness, Peace, Joy" (Ballantine), the band's contemporary music team led a time of praise and worship to get the meeting off to a good start. Band participation also included Leslie Condon's "Gift For His Altar" and a second vocal item, "Lord, Listen to Your Children." In addition, Staff Bandsman Ron Reid gave a few lessons in magic to the children before they went out to their junior church program. Following Major Millar's stirring message on the nature of God, there was a response at the altar as individuals knelt in prayer and dedication. It was a great conclusion to a busy but rewarding weekend.
by Staff Bandsman Stan Ewing