The New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army is currently enjoying a 14 day tour of the UK, which will include their participation in the 2015 Salvation Army 'Boundless' International Congress in London.
Sharing the stage
Their welcome trip has also coincided with the arrival of warm summer sunshine as they touched down earlier this week. under the direction of Bandmaster, Ronald Waiksnoris.
The band's first concert was in Manchester on Thursday where they were the visitors of the reigning British Open, European and National Champion, Black Dyke.
In front of a sell out audience, both bands performed individual programmes before joining together for massed items including 'Shine as the Light' conducted by composer Peter Graham, and the march 'Praise', led by its former Bandmaster, Derek Smith.
Career highlight
A number of the band later took to social media to thank Black Dyke and their MD Prof Nicholas Childs for what they referred to as a 'career highlight'.
On Friday, the NYSB made the long journey to Kent to perform in Folkstone whilst Saturday saw them take part in the 'Armed Forces Day' tribute before a concert in Staines during the evening.
Following further performances in Staines and Windsor over the weekend, the band then heads to Wrexham in North Wales and Birmingham before concluding its tour in London at the Salvation Army International Congress.
The band's opening concert on Thursday was with Black Dyke and described by members afterwards on social media as a career highlight4BR
Follow the action
The tourists are providing regular updates on social media and you can follow their musical journey at the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/NYSB1887
http://www.nysb.org/MusicMinistry/category/boundless-tour-2015/