Chicago Staff Band Visits South Bend

The Chicago Staff Band (Bandmaster William Himes) participated in a collaboration concert with the University of Notre Dame Symphonic Winds during a visit to South Bend, Indiana, 23 – 24 January 2010.

The Staff Band accepted a late invitation to South Bend following a cancellation on their schedule. The city is the home of Notre Dame University and will be the site of one of the Salvation Army’s Ray and Joan Kroc Community Centers.

The Salvation Army and the University of Notre Dame Band have entered into a partnership called BandLINK, with a shared goal to teach important life lessons through music. Under the direct supervision of faculty members Matt Merten (brass) and Sam Sanchez (percussion), approximately 20 student mentors from the University Band provide individual and group instruction four times a week in parochial schools that do not have music programs. Over 40 children, in the third through seventh grades, have benefitted from the BandLINK program so far. The program was conceived by Colonel Dennis Phillips of the Salvation Army and Dr. Kenneth Dye, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Notre Dame.

Saturday, 23 January 2010

On Saturday evening, a collaboration concert was held with the Notre Dame Symphonic Winds, the Chicago Staff Band, and children from the BandLINK program. The BandLINK students were given a standing ovation following their performance of American Celebration accompanied by the Staff Band. Another standing ovation was given for the performance of Onward, Christian Soldiers by the combined groups, under the baton of Father Theodore Hesburgh CSC, President Emeritus of Notre Dame.

The full program included the following items:

Notre Dame Symphonic Winds

• The Star-Spangled Banner
• Hands Across the Sea (John Philip Sousa)
• Fandango (Joseph Turrin) – Anthony Parrish and Andrew Thomas, soloists
• Andante and Tranquillo (Samuel Barber, arr. Saucedo)
• I’ll Fly Away/What Friend We Have in Jesus (arr. Matt Merten)
• Notre Dame Victory March (John and Michael Shea, arr. Casasanta)

Chicago Staff Band

• El Es Él Señor (Dean Jones)
• Symphonette (Stephen Bulla)
• He Leadeth Me (Paul S. Kellner)
• Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good to Me (arr. Alexander)
• American Celebration (William Himes)

Combined Groups

• Cause for Celebration (William Himes)
• Amazing Grace (William Himes)
• Seventy-Six Trombones (Meredith Willson, arr. Kenneth Dye)
• Onward Christian Soldiers (Sir Arthur Sullivan)
• The Stars and Stripes Forever (John Philip Sousa)

Sunday, 24 January 2010

On Sunday, the Staff Band participated in a weekly service which includes both Presbyterians and Salvationists from South Bend at the First Presbyterian Church. The corps officers in South Bend, Majors Bob and Collete Webster, were congratulated for their efforts in hosting the Staff Band and their service to the South Bend community.