Once again, on Sunday June 28th, 2009 Jubilee Brass invaded lovely Sarnia, Ontario in order to assist the corps, under the leadership of Majors Rick and Drucella Pollard, in celebrating 125 years of ministry in that community.

Sarnia is a city in South-Western Ontario with a population of approximately 70,000 souls and one old grouch. It is the largest city on Lake Huron and is located where the upper Great Lakes empty in to St. Clair River.

Sarnia’s natural harbor attracted French explorer La Salle. He named it “The Rapids”. It became a prominent deep water port. “Sarnia” is Latin for Guernsey in the Channel Islands off the coast of Norway in France.

Sarnia is an important port for lake freighters and ‘salties’ carrying cargoes of grain and petroleum products. Oil discoveries in this region led to massive growth.

What is known as Chemical Valley, downriver from Sarnia, once adorned the back of the Canadian ten dollar bill. Some of the JB band members may still be hoarding them.

Sarnia is the second busiest U.S.-Canadian border crossing, behind only the Windsor-Detroit crossing. The link is the most scenic Blue Water bridge.

One of Sarnia’s neighborhoods, Brights Grove, Ontario is the home of Mike Weir, noted PGA golfer and winner of the Masters tournament.

Special guests at this fine corps were former corps officers and now the Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for women’s ministries, Colonels Don and Ann Copple.

In addition to Jubilee Brass the corps welcomed Songster leader Tina Dobney from the Port Huron Michigan corps as the afternoon concert’s vocal soloist.

During the prelude to the morning service the band presented hymn tunes as well as the chorus arrangement “ Be still for the presence of the Lord”(David Evans arr. Andrew Blyth) and the vocal number, “Rock of Ages” (Toplady, arr. Wm.E. Bearchell).

During the worship service the band presented a song arrangement, “I surrender all” by Noel Jones and another vocal number, “In Me” (Harry Read/Mark Bearcroft arr. Thomas Mack)

Following a wonderful lunch prepared for all the attendees at the morning service the afternoon program began with the George Marshall classic “Soldiers of Christ”. A processional, “Be Glorified” by William Gordon followed.

Songster leader Dobney presented her first solo, “Because of who you are” by Bob Farrell and Billy Smiley. Tina displayed a great range and excellent tonal qualities to present a beautifully sensitive rendition.
The band’s resident piper, Band Sergeant Jack Bernard followed with the solo, “Highland Cathedral” (M Korb arr. Jon Pittock) and received a standing ovation.

Jubilee Brass changed the mood with Leonard Ballantine’s song setting, “ ‘Mid all the traffic”. Tina followed with “He’s always been faithful” (Sara Groves arr. Tom Fettke)

The band presented the premier performance of “Sarnia Citadel” written for the corps band by our own Jon Pittock as a tribute to their 125th anniversary.

Songster leader Dobney then presented a beautiful song titled “Come to Jesus” (Chris Rice arr. Bill Himes) with a brass ensemble accompaniment. This is a very attractive song with haunting lyrics. Her presentations were superb and added immensely to the program. Her renditions were an inspiration and blessing to all who attended.

After a devotional by Colonel Don Copple the band concluded the program with the ever popular meditation, “Hyfrydol”(Blomberg)