The hymn tune used in this short treatment is Hanover.  Some of the words associated with this tune are, “O worship the King all glorious above.”  The thought of our King being ‘all glorious’ fascinated the composer who set out to create a sound world of splendor.   The music is very energetic and effervescent, springing from a heart full of praise to our King for His great love for us.

O worship the King, all glorious above;
O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavillioned in splendor and girded with praise.

Following Christ's final words on earth (Acts 1:8), the Christian faith was to take hold in all parts of the world as the Holy Spirit worked in the lives of devoted followers. Brian Bowen's powerful extended work is a commemoration of the acts of courage and dedication evidenced in the lives of faith builders throughout the ages. The work utilizes Henry Purcell's tune "Westminster Abbey", the worlds of which are "Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone." (9:00)

Dedicated to the composer's father, the late Major Ralph C. Pearce, the music is a depiction of what the great old hymn, "Soldier, Rouse Thee!" by Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871) describes as "fightings within and fears without". The work came about after a request from Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris for the New York Staff Band's tour of Great Britain in 2003. The title is taken from the verse of the song:

Hark I hear the warriors shouting;
Now the hosts of hell we're routing.

Gustav Holst’s First Suite in Eb for Military Band was composed in 1909 and is universally regarded as a classic of the symphonic band literature.  This transcription was prepared in response to a request from Staff Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris for the 2003 UK Tour by the New York Staff Band.

Stylized aspects of 16th-century dances and ceremonial music provide the underpinning to this suite by Kevin Norbury. The suite is divided into four secions: the brilliant "Flourish", a "Pavane" which is slow and processional-like, the delightful "Basse Dance" and the exquisite "Hornpipe" -- a lively dance with a decidedly Scottish flavor to it which gets quicker and quicker. (6:30)

In the days and weeks following Diana's death, American freelance composer Joseph Turrin found himself wishing to pay tribute to the Princess and her life's work. This composition is the result of his desire to express not only his own personal sense of loss but also of hope. While the piece does not seek to convey any particular relgious meaning, listeners and performers alike will feel their spirits lifted by the elegant melodies found therein. (5:30)

Erik Leidzen first transcribed this famous chorale prelude for the famed Goldman Band of New York City. Carl Fischer, Inc., published this pace-setting arrangement for wind band within months of its 1936 premiere in Central Park. It has long been hailed as a model of elegant, economical wind band scoring in which the arranger masterfully handles the many colors of the modern concert band. Leidzen completed the brass band version in the early 1950's as part of a larger series of Bach transcriptions written either for the New York Staff Band or for the Star Lake Band at Star Lake Musicamp.

Isaac Watts' hymn paraphrase of Psalm 23 ("My Shepherd will supply my need") was anonymously wed to an American folk humn tune back in the 1800's. It has attracted the attention of many composers and arrangers ever since. Noted Australian symphonist Brenton Broadstock's gorgeous treatment for trombones will be a worthwhile addition to any brass band's repertoire. (4:00)

Peter Graham's return to the famed Star Lake Musicamp in 1996 was marked by the wildly successful premiere of this composition -- a piece which is dedicated to the memory of New York Staff Bandsman Al Honsberger. The piece features three songs relating to light, "The Candle of the Lord", "Walk, Walk, Walk in the Light" and "The Light Has Come" which concludes the work. The unfolding of the symphonic development leads to a literal blaze of sound, and, symbolically, spiritual enlightenment. (8:00)

On Thursday, September 6, 2001, Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris called the composer and asked him to consider setting the worship song There Is a Redeemer for trombones. Work was commenced on the evening of September 10, 2001. Upon waking on September 11, 2001, the composer was confronted, as was the rest of the world, by the obscenity of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Suddenly, this request for the New York Staff Band took on a different life. It is a tribute to those fellow Salvationists who serve those who serve. It is also a personal statement, as the composer believes that Jesus, our Redeemer, is the only solution to the world's problems:

There IS a Redeemer.