Sat – Sun 25-26 November 2023. St Catherines Corps hosted Heritage Brass for a weekend of music and worship. The band arrived mid-afternoon to setup with a brief sound check before being treated to a ‘Ham and Scallops’ supper provided by a team of volunteers from the corps. A good-sized congregation of people gathered and enjoyed the evening concert. Admittance to the concert was free along with an appeal to make a donation to the Corps Christmas kettle program. A Christmas kettle was set up in the foyer and the band set time aside in their concert to officially kick off the Christmas Appeal program for the community of St Catherines. The band played a March – “Celebrate His Birth” and then Major Don Feltham (Corps Officer) made the Appeal. The band concluded the ceremony with their voices singing “The Stable Door.” Bandsman Byron Penney sang with band accompaniment “A Different Man.” Bandsman Major Cliff Hollman brought a devotional thought (Major Cliff & his wife Major Ruth were former C.O.’s of St. Catherines 43 years before).

The band returned on Sunday to lead the morning worship service. The band played a beautiful arrangement on the tune “Lavenham” in the service. Major Ken Ritson (Exec Officer) brought the message. Following the service, the band were invited, along with the corps to join together in the gymnasium where a ‘beef-on-a-bun’ was served. The band retired with a feeling that not only was God glorified in worship but felt blessed that there was this reaching into the community to assist those in need during the festive season.

Sat. October 21st. The month of October has always signalled Heritage
Brass band’s Anniversary concert and this year, 2023 was the band’s
35th Anniversary with The Canadian Staff Songsters as the guests. For
both leaders, Col. Bob Ward (Heritage Brass) and Cathie Koehnen
(Canadian Staff Songsters) they were newly commissioned as leaders.

It was good to see the sanctuary at Oshawa Temple filled, with the
congregation warming to the music presented. The program began with
the band marching in The Canadian Staff Songsters to the march ‘Mighty
to Keep.’ Major Ken Ritson, also newly appointed as Executive Officer
to Heritage Brass brought a devotional thought. Ron Hustins and Steven
Cooper were also featured in the songs selected by the Songsters. A
sample of some of the music, including photos is included here to
remember a wonderful evening of music-making bringing all the
glory to God.

Sat/Sun 23-24 September 2023. An inspiring and uplifting spiritual time was enjoyed by the many who attended Bowmanville Salvation Army Community Church with the visit of Heritage Brass.

Supporting HB were a number of residents from the Redemption House Of Recovery in Oshawa.

Following a supper hosted by the corps, the band provided a program of music which included congregation participation. It truly was a God-glorifying experience. The program of music was selected and compered by Col. Robert Ward who, following this new position as
Bandmaster was conducting his first concert.

The band returned on Sunday morning in smaller numbers to support the worship service. This was led by the Corps Officer, Auxilliary Lieutenant Allison Schizkoske. The speaker for the morning was Adam Smith who was the main counsellor at RHOR. Adam gave both his testimony of his recovery and opened the ‘Word.’ Following his powerful message he invited 10 men from the program to tell their stories. We heard it all… alcohol, drugs, prison time, homelessness, abuse. And every one of them spoke about the power of the HS who changed their lives once they gave in to Him.

The weekend was indeed a blessing to all that attended and the members of HB were honoured to have been part of it.

The Salvation Army Canada Bermuda Territory held the ‘Inspire’ Congress & Conference event in downtown Toronto from June 26 – July 2. The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Massey Hall and the corner of Yonge & Dundas were the venues.

On Sat July 1st (Canada Day) Heritage Brass provided a brief concert in the bandshell that had been set up at Yonge & Dundas. A good number of people took interest in what they were hearing on the street and stopped by. The music was well received with favourites like… ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘Love changes everything,’ and an upbeat number – ‘Island Dreams’ which brings in the melody ‘The Happy Wanderer’ using our words – ‘I found the Pearl of Greatest price.’

Corps Officers, Lieuts. Jory and Rebecca Hewson, ensured that the visit of Heritage Brass to Owen Sound was well publicized. As a result, the band had an excellent weekend of music ministry and spiritual witness. Also, the bonus was that the weather was pleasantly sunny and dry!

Under the direction of Bandmaster Bob Young, the weekend began with an outdoor afternoon concert at Harrison Park. This was a beautiful venue, where a substantial crowd was attracted by the Band playing some familiar hymn tunes, Salvation Army marches, and song selections such as Amazing Grace and Love Changes Everything.

After the concert, Band members and spouses assembled at the Community Church for a
delicious dinner, prepared and served by members of the church family.

The Saturday evening concert, held at the Community Church, featured a variety of music, including a Cornet Solo “Faithful Follower”, played by Deryck Diffey; “Seventy-Six Trombones”, featuring the trombone section; a vocal solo, “The King is Coming”, sung by Byron Penney; and the band vocal, ”Redeemed”. The enthusiastic audience also enjoyed participating in a “Sing along with the Band” (Songs of Beauty).

Early Sunday morning, the Band returned to the S.A. Community Church to participate in the Worship Service, led by Corps Officers Jory and Rebecca Hewson, H.B. Executive Officer, Col. Bob Ward, and D.C.’s, Lt. Cols. Shawn and Brenda Critch. God was truly worshipped in the beauty of holiness and the spirit of praise.

To the delight of the band members and their spouses, the weekend concluded with a lunch provided by the church members.

Heritage Brass joined with Yorkminster Citadel Songsters at Yorkminster Citadel for an evening of Music. With Heritage Brass being without a resident Bandmaster at the time, Marcus Venables (Assistant Territorial Music Secretary) was invited to conduct the band for the concert. Marcus was able to join the band for several rehearsals leading up to the concert, himself selecting the music which the band played. The band provided six solo items mixed with the Songsters’ contributions, two of which included a cornet solo by Deryck Diffey. Now closer to his 90th birthday than his 80th, Deryck sensitively played Phil Rayment’s composition – “Faithful Follower.” The band’s final rendering was a major work “Wondrous Salvation”… the composer being the brother of Marcus… Harrison Venables.

Yorkminster Songsters under the leadership of Cathie Koehnen also provided six solo items. The brigade demonstrated a high standard of singing with the leader selecting various styles of music that sometimes left the congregation reflecting with no applause with God’s Spirit moving, then at other times applause at the high standard of musicianship in praising God our Father. Special mention should be made to Bill Way, the pianist who accompanied the Songster Brigade. Bill has long been known to Salvation Army congregations for his mastery of the piano. The second soloist of the evening was Sean van Gulik in the brigade’s item – “Nothing but Thy Blood” (Simon Gash).

Newly appointed Band Executive Officer, Heritage Brass, Col. Robert Ward brought a devotional thought, before the band and songsters joined together, concluding the evening with… “Make Me a Channel” (William Himes).

22nd October 2022.  With hardly an empty seat in the sanctuary, Heritage Brass held their first Anniversary concert in three years due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. The congregation feasted on a wide spectrum of music from both the band and the O’Neill Chamber Choir.

There were humourous, reflective, jazzy, swing, classical and devotional moments. The evening was caught on video by the Oshawa Temple sound & video team. Selected clips will give credit to all the artists.