North America’s Country and Western star Willie Nelson sings the song ‘On the road again’. Jubilee Brass of the Salvation Army lives it.

On Sunday evening, November 16th members came from all parts of South Western Ontario through rain, snow and sleet to converge on the border city of Sarnia. The designated location was the beautiful and spacious Temple Baptist Church. The occasion was a benefit concert supporting the ‘Voice of the Martyrs’ raising funds for the persecuted Christians throughout the world. This is an annual event which raises thousands of dollars for the cause. Last year $ 7,600.00 was raised.

Missing our snow birds at this time of year the 33 members of The Jubilee Brass Band of the Salvation Army shared the stage with the Central Baptist Handbell Choir, the St. Andrews Presbyterian Harmony hand bells, the Sarnia Sursum Corda Christian men’s choir and a mother/daughter piano duo of Donna Taylor and Laura Stevens. A huge crowd packed this vast 1500 seat sanctuary.

The Band’s contribution of eight items was performed in a carefully timed segment and began with Ivor Bosanko’s stirring March “Marching onward” which incorporates the well know songs “Onward Christian Soldiers” and “I’ll go in the strength of the Lord”. Ivor challenges the top solo cornets in this number expecting them to ‘nail’ a top A right at the outset and no less than 10 top Cs throughout. One wonders what solo cornets ever did to Ivor. The horn section dazzles with their answering part in the “I’ll go” section leading into a dynamic conclusion. This is a March worthy of any concert.

With hardly a moment to catch a breath the band launched into its next offering of Dean Goffin’s selection “To God be the Glory”. The aim throughout the program was to present numbers easily recognized by the various church attendees.

Major Gary Venables next hushed the crowd with the beautiful Himes arrangement of “I’d rather have Jesus”. This number tests the nerves and the chops of any cornet soloist with eight bars of truly solo playing. Gary’s tonal quality, approach to the melody and sensitivity to the words was most evident. This was a spiritual moment not to be recaptured until the next performance. Gary plays it but also lives it.

Bandmaster Jim’s Cousin Bill Gordon provided the next number, the Processional “Be Glorified” once again presenting worship choruses well known to the audience including “Glorify Thy Name” and “Man cannot live by bread alone”.

Next up was resident piper Band Sgt Jack Bernard who also doubles as a second baritone player. Once again he stirred the crowd with the ever pleasing “Amazing Grace”. At the beginning of the concert the Master of Ceremonies had asked the crowd to hold their applause until the groups had concluded their segments. Some either never heard the instructions or simply chose to ignore them. This was never more evident than after the conclusion of this number. If they have bagpipes in Heaven you’ll find Jack one day leading the parade.

The Band’s next presentation was William Gordon’s “How Great Thou Art” another most pleasing addition to Gordon Music. This was followed with a hymn tune arrangement from the pen of Ray Steadman Allen of “Holy, Holy, Holy”

For the Band’s final number Bandmaster Jim Gordon chose the classic “The Penitent” from the pen of Bandmaster H. Kirk. This gave the Band the opportunity of presenting a testimony in musical notes and harmonies, “Jesus see me at Thy feet, nothing but Thy blood can save me”.

After a pregnant pause for reflection and meditation the band rose to a thunderous and appreciative applause.

Jubilee Brass continues to grow, develop and improve becoming much in demand in this part of the country.