Band celebrated its 125th Anniver-
sary with a concert at New York's
Carnegie Hall this spring features
the, world renowned British male
vationist Philip Cobb, Principal Trumpet of the
London Symphony Orchestra. The band holds the
distinction of being the first staff band in Salvation
Army music history. It was established by Marshal
Ballington Booth, Commander of the Army in the
United States in 1887, as a model of good music�
making, an accompaniment for worship indoors and
an attraction for outdoor ministry and public
events.
dent composer and member of the trombone section,
Dr. Dorothy Gates. The band continued to amaze
leads assembly at Carnegie
Hall in praise.
excellence. Several of the selections were written or
adapted for the celebration by noted composers who
were recognized during the program: Joseph Tur-
rin, William Himes, Stephen Bulla, Leonard Bal-
lantine, Peter Graham and band enthusiast and
historian extraordinaire, Lt. Colonel Norman
Bearcroft. Two former bandmasters, Vernon Post
and Derek Smith, were warmly greeted, as were
many other band alumni. Guest soloist Cobb, daz-
zled the audience with his trumpet artistry in both
Salvation Army and classical compositions.
Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, Philip
Smith, in the cornet feature "Quicksilver." The spec-
tacular program was enhanced by The King's
Singers, with their superb intonation, style and
blend, in a wide range of songs, from adaptations of
were accompanied by the band on Leonard
Ballantine's moving arrangement of "Amazing
Grace" and joined the band chorus for their
signature vocal item, "Rock of Ages." The
band's current Territorial Commander, Com-
missioner R. Steven Hedgren, spoke of the
therapy of music during life's struggles and
challenged the audience to "live life as if you
were singing your way through it." The wit-
ness of the band and the essence of all Army
music was heard in the refrain of the final
number, "Fire in the Blood". "I love You Lord,
and I lift my voice--may it be a sweet, sweet
sound in your ear!"
join in the cornet feature "Quicksilver."
Secretary for Personnel