‘Tis the season of change, and following the welcome of new Bandmaster John Lam and Deputy Bandmaster Major Ken Smith on April 1, the CSB is now facing another change in leadership. We are sad to say farewell to former Executive Officer Major Ron Millar, who will be taking up an overseas appointment in the Caribbean Territory effctive July 1. He and his wife, Donna, will be going to the training college in Kingston, Jamaica, as Training Principal and Education Officer. The CSB thanks Ron for his leadership since January 2006 and wishes him well in his new responsibilities.
Effective May 23, the band’s new Executive Officer is Major Kevin Metcalf. Well known as a longtime member of the CSB, Kevin first joined the band in 1976 at the request of then Major Norman Bearcroft. He has since played under each of the band’s other bandmasters-Colonel Robert Redhead, Brian Burditt and Kevin Hayward. As an officer, he has served in corps and training college appointments in British Columbia, Ontario and Sydney, Australia. From 1995 to 1999 he was Assistant to the Territorial Music Secretary at THQ and since January 2007 has been Territorial Secretary for Music and Gospel Arts. We welcome Kevin back in his new role and look forward to sharing with him in ministry.
In addition to the above changes, the CSB is also pleased to welcome Major Ted Kimmins, one of the founding members of the band, in his new role as Secretary/Treasurer. Ted has a great appreciation of the band’s unique ministry and will travel with the CSB for all its official engagements, assisting in various ways as required. His skills in the areas of budget management and fundraising will help keep the band on track and maintain a solid financial footing as we move ahead into new avenues of service in the days to come.
Finally, effective July 4, Major Ken Smith has received a new officer appointment as Assistant to the Territorial Secretary for Music and Gospel Arts. While this will only be part-time as he continues working three days a week in the Editorial Department, it does mean that he will be available to help handle many of the behind-the-scenes administrative details that keep the band functioning from week to week, particularly important with the CSB no longer having a bandmaster working on site at THQ. He will also be assisting Major Kevin Metcalf in a variety of other matters and special projects as part of the Music and Gospel Arts Department.
Continue to pray for the band during this transition in leadership. As we anticipate our 40th anniversary season in 2009, plans are well underway for more corps visits, tours and new recording projects, extending well into our 41st year and beyond.