New York Staff Band

Hannaford Festival of Brass
Bandmaster: Ronald Waiksnoris
Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre
Toronto, Ontario
Saturday, 3rd March

New York Staff Band

Over the course of their history, the New York Staff Band have only had a hanful of visits to Toronto.  Accordingly there was a very good turn out to see the band.  Having just heard the Canadian Staff Band the festival the night before, the audience would have high expectations and NYSB did not disappoint.

Similar to their recent 120th anniversary concert, the band opened with Redhead's A Fanfare of Praise, quite a good way to get the audience's attention from the start.  Just when it appeared the band had reached the top of their dynamic range they were still able to give more.

Ceasless Service (Ditmer) followed and showed off the unity of pitch and timbre of the band.  Warren Smith Jr. on bass trombone made his presence felt throughout the concert.  Often, one might ask if it was too much.  The answer was "no."  He played with such power yet control it was thoroughly enjoyable, a true "beast of the bass trombone."

The first soloist of the evening was cornet player Gordon Ward.  He performed a flawless rendition of Crossroad which, as it turned out, would foreshadow the other fine solo performances of the evening.  Exultate! (Downie) followed and the band produced a true wall of sound.  The most impressive feature was the unison runs that passed along from the euphoniums to baritones to horns with amazing uniformity.

Former NYSB member, Peter Graham would be the featured composer for the next two pieces.  First the band performed the hymn setting Crimond.  One of the highlights was the short but lovely cornet duets.  The band then closed the first half with four movements from Call of the Cossacks.

Procession of the Tartars started off markedly faster than the crochet equals written 112 in the music.  When the rest of the bass section joined the solo Eb bass not only did the tempo not drop a beat, but the unity of sound was uncanny.  It was at this point that it became apparent; the band was on top form and it was not going to let up.

Cossack Fire Dance showed off the bands soloists. Most impressive was solo trombone Burt Mason performing the Czardas quote.  So many times we hear trombones attempt this, tonguing wildly whilst pitch suffers.  Mason got every note.  It would not be the last of this fine trombone player we'd hear on the night. 

Andrew Garcia gave a moving performance of Doyle's Lament whilst seated on the front edge of the stage.  Concert etiquette was broken as the audience applauded between movements after both the Fire Dance and Doyle's Lament. The Cossack Wedding Dance closed a splendid first half.

Just a Closer Walk (arr. Fernie) started the second half and although there was fine interplay between all the soloist, Burt Mason started to steal the show.  The band performed Ray Ogg's Rousseau before properly featuring Mason with Old Rugged Cross.  Having already displayed his technical and jazz virtuosity, Mason made the trombone truly sing in this lyrical work.

Euphonium player Aaron VanderWeele was featured next in Bearcroft's The Better World.  Having already showed off his blazing finger technique in Cossack Fire Dance, he showed that his quick tongue can keep up with the fast fingers in this solo. VanderWeele also showed, as he had throughout the night, the big lyrical euphonium sound he could draw out of the horn.

Major Tom Mack took the podium to lead the band chorus Every Time I Feel the Spirit.  The band sang in tune as well as they played and truly showed why it's more important to have musicians than singers in a choir.  The band closed with Holy War (Steadman-Allen) and had it not been below 0 C outside I might have thought I was in a Lutheran church on Reformation Sunday in October as the tune Ein Feste Berg was the repeated theme of the finale.  The audience showed their appreciation with a standing ovation demanding an encore.

As with their Anniversary Concert, the band played Stars and Stripes Forever as an encore, which takes a bit of cheek for their first visit to Toronto. However, after yet another standing ovation, bandmaster Waiksnoris apologized for the potential 'faux pas' and then concluded with the benediction Rock of Ages. Having heard NYSB on several occasions before, I have to say they were on top form tonight and it was a most impressive and enjoyable concert.

Pat Herak

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