Following an uneventful summer, the Canadian Staff Band is kicking off its 40th anniversary season in high gear under the leadership of Bandmaster John Lam. Spirits were high at the first rehearsal in September as band members caught up with one another and dove into a number of new pieces in preparation for the year to come.
It hardly seems possible that 2009 will mark 40 years since the re-establishment of the CSB under Major Norman Bearcroft. Repertoire for the coming season will include a mixture of older and newer pieces – everything from Dean Goffin’s Symphony of Thanksgiving, played at the band’s inaugural festival, and Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s recent work Vitae Aeternum. Bandmaster Lam is also reaching back into the past to dig out other gems from CSB repertoire over the years, including Robert Redhead’s Deus Vobiscum and Len Ballantine’s Kingsfold.
It promises to be an exciting season of music, and for those of you who have been asking about new CSB CDs, you’ll be happy to know that a recording session has been scheduled for the new year. With various transitions in leadership in recent years, this area of the band’s ministry has been sadly neglected. The new bandmaster has plans to address this issue and has promised to make it an annual priority for the foreseeable future.
Speaking of new recordings, watch this space for information on Windows of the World, a 4-CD set scheduled for release in October. Co-ordinated by Retired Bandmaster Brian Burditt on behalf of the CSB, it includes music from various staff bands, songsters and other internationally-acclaimed groups from around the Army world. Sales from this historic recording will benefit world missions.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Some band personnel changes took places over the summer months. We were sad to say farewell to Barrington and Brindley Venables, who have moved south of the border to further their education at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. If nothing else, their departure raises the average age of the band by several years! But seriously, it’s been tremendous having them with us these past few years and we will miss their skillful and artistic playing as well as the youthful spirit they brought to the group. The CSB wishes them both well as they embark on this new chapter in their lives.
To accommodate Brindley’s and Barrington’s departure, some changes have been made internally within the band, most notably with our new executive officer, Major Kevin Metcalf, now playing soprano cornet, and Ken Bailey transferring to second trombone. Cameron Rawlins is now playing first baritone and there has been a re-allocation of parts in the cornet section (see the personnel list for further details). To further augment the trombone section, Michael Stayner has moved back to first trombone as we have been pleased to welcome James McArthur back into the band on euphonium. James previously played with the CSB from 2003 to 2006 and we are glad to have him back with us once again.
As we enter our 2008-09 season, the CSB anticipates another busy year of activity. Check back with us often for the latest news and updates.