Salvationists and friends gathered at Guelph Citadel, Ont., on October 1 for Brass Fusion, a concert featuring the Canadian Staff Band (CSB), the Ontario Great Lakes Division's youth band, Impact Brass, and that group's feeder band, iGNiTE! Brass. The concert marked the end of a day shared by the three bands as they joined together for music clinics and sectional instruction.

“Making music, sharing fellowship and worshipping together with these amazing young Salvationists was fantastic,” says Craig Lewis, principal trombone player with the CSB and territorial secretary for music and gospel arts.

iGNiTE! Brass performs during Brass Fusion concert (Photo: Robert Richardson)

The concert kicked off with the CSB's rendition of Intrada—Bless the Lord, written by Philip Rayment, bandmaster of Impact Brass. Other pieces presented in the first half of the program by the CSB, under the leadership of Bandmaster John Lam, included Major Ken Smith's Light Song and William Himes' Jubilance, featuring cornet player Colin Williams of Impact Brass.

Under the guest leadership of CSB Deputy Bandmaster Cameron Rawlins, iGNiTE! Brass played two pieces, Worthy is the Lamb and Let There Be Rock! Earlier in the day, Rawlins had worked with the young people to prepare for the evening concert. In a lighthearted moment, Sarah Rayment, bandmaster of iGNiTE! Brass, invited Rawlins to pose for a selfie with the members of the band. “It's something they like to do at every performance,” she explained to the crowd.

The second half of the concert began with the CSB and Impact Brass joining together to present Dudley Bright's Spirit of the West, a march based on the songs Dare to be a Daniel and I'll Stand for Christ. Other selections highlighted the musical talents of the young musicians from Impact Brass, including Ray Steadman-Allen's The Veterans that featured a cornet trio from Micaela Rayment, Rabekah Heintzman and Claire Diffey.

The CSB's major work for the evening was Kevin Norbury's Overture—Coronation, a triumphant piece based on the hymn tune Diademata, which is associated with the words of Crown Him with Many Crowns.

In his devotional message, Lt-Colonel Jamie Braund, territorial secretary for personnel and executive officer of the CSB, spoke from Romans 5:1-2. “God's love is given freely and abundantly to everyone. What a gift to stand in God's grace!”

The Canadian Staff Band and Impact Brass join forces at Brass Fusion concert (Photo: Robert Richardson)

As the evening came to a close, the CSB and Impact Brass presented Colonel Robert Redhead's God is There as a reminder that we are constantly surrounded by the love of our heavenly Father.

“Days such as the one the CSB spent with Impact Brass and iGNiTE! Brass show me how many incredible, talented and wonderful young Salvationists we have across the territory,” says Lewis. “We hope to see many of them in the CSB one day.”

Watch videos of the concert on the Canadian Staff Band's Facebook page.