Followers of the Canadian Staff Band will know that earlier this year Brian Burditt indicated he would be stepping down as bandmaster at the end of this season. His announcement last September gave Salvation Army administration time to form a selection committee to find a successor, and on November 16, 2007, it was announced that John Lam had been appointed as the new leader, with the effective date to be determined. While the current band season is not yet over, this transition has now taken place. By his own choice, Brian’s last official CSB engagement was the band’s recent visit to Mexico, and John has now taken over as bandmaster, effective April 1. His first public concert with the CSB will be the upcoming anniversary festival on May 31.
A native of Owen Sound, Ont., John is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario in music performance and education. Known for his skills on bass trombone, he has played with The Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa, Brassroots and Intrada Brass, as well as touring with the Canadian production of Les Misérables. A passionate music educator, John has taught instrumental and vocal music in various elementary and secondary schools and currently heads the music program at Westminster Secondary School in London. He first joined the CSB in 1995 and has served as deputy bandmaster since September 2006. John will continue to live in London and serve as bandmaster of London Citadel Band in addition to his CSB duties.
John’s appointment has meant some other changes to the band. Major Ken Smith, a member of the CSB since February 2002 and librarian for the past five years, has been appointed as deputy bandmaster. A published composer of Army music, Ken’s experience and expertise will continue to benefit the band’s ministry as he works with John in the days to come. Not only will he assist in conducting rehearsals, but he will also be available to help handle some behind-the-scenes administrative duties to keep the band running on a day-to-day basis, particularly important in that John will continue to live in London and not be readily available on-site in Toronto to deal with situations as they come up. Ken will also be able to carry out some of the local small ensemble engagements that come up from time to time.
Other than some changes in the trombone section to accommodate John’s appointment as bandmaster, no other personnel changes are planned at the present time.
Members of the Canadian Staff Band are grateful to Brian Burditt for his leadership over the past two years and wish him well in his continuing work as director of world missions. We are also excited about Bandmaster John Lam’s appointment and look forward to experiencing his vision and direction as we move into the future.