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In 1887, when the New York Staff Band made their first appear-ance
on Broadway, New York City, a newspaper reported
“…the bandsmen rode on bicycles, in tandem style – one to
pedal and one to blow! Their National Commander headed the
procession riding in a sidecar. They carried banners calling
themselves: ‘Speaking, Singing, Praying and Blowing Troubadours
of God.’ They wore neat uniforms with white trimmings and
double knotted white cords across their chest. All seemed to be
intelligent!”
Since 1887, the New York Staff Band has developed into one of
the Salvation Army’s foremost brass bands. While bandsmen
volunteer their services, many today are professionally trained musicians. The group has appeared with
the New York Philharmonic and the United States Coast Guard band. It has provided music for high visi-bility
occasions like the Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade and the Billy Graham Celebration Rally. The Staff
Band has traveled throughout the world to share its music.
In 1968, under the leadership of Staff band-master
Vernon Post, the band made its first European Tour, appearing in the Netherlands, Germany and
Switzerland. Last year, the band returned to Europe to give another successful tour of these countries.
For this concert, the Staff band has as its guests, the trumpet section of the New York Philharmonic
Orchestra, led by Philip Smith who was, for some years, Principal Cornet with the Band.
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