On Saturday, November 3, 2006, the CSB took the opportunity of giving back to one of the corps that had been a longtime supporter of the band's ministry over the years. Following the morning rehearsal for the Toronto Santa Claus Parade with massed bands from throughout the Greater Toronto Area, the CSB spent the afternoon and evening at Oshawa Temple, where they presented a joint concert with Oshawa Temple Band.

Since the present-day Canadian Staff Band was formed in 1969, many Oshawa Temple bandsman have served in its ranks, probably more than any other single corps in the Toronto area. In addition, for the past two years, Oshawa Temple Band has been a key supporter of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade. With that in mind, the CSB wanted to present this joint concert in order to recognize this longstanding association and to thank Oshawa for their efforts.

The program got off to a fine start with the massed bands playing William Himes' rollicking march "Rolling Along" led by Oshawa Temple Bandmaster Martin Richards. The appreciative audience then enjoyed various selections by both bands. The CSB's major contributions to the evening included “Fanfare and Flourishes” and “Emblems” by James Curnow and Peter Graham’s suite “Call of the Cossacks,” all part of a full slate of new repertoire selected by the Staff Bandmaster Brian Burditt for the fall season.

Written for the Black Dyke Band’s performance at the 2002 European Brass Band Gala Concert, “Call of the Cossacks” is descriptive of a wide range of Eastern European folk music used by this nomadic Gypsy-like people whose ethnic makeup included Ukranians, Tartars, Poles and Jews. The five movements are as follows:

1. Procession of the Tartars
2. Gypsy Dream
3. Cossack Fire Dance (featuring soloists Steve Brown and Ron Heintzman, cornet; Barrington Venables, trombone; Steve Pavey, euphonium; Stan Ewing, xylophone)
4. Doyle’s Lament (soloist Valerie Moreton, flugel horn)
5. Cossack Wedding Dance

This exciting and contrasting work was much appreciated by the audience.

Four CSB soloists were featured throughout the evening: 17-year-old Brindley Venables (the youngest member of the band) with “Jubilance for Cornet and Band” by William Himes; older brother Barrington Venables with the trombone solo “Iona Boat Song” by Howard Evans; Steve Pavey, euphonium, with Chris Mallett’s “Travelling Along;” and Michael Stayner, piano, who delighted the audience with his sparkling rendition of “The Whirling Dervish” (Hans Engelmann).

To pay tribute to the longstanding support of Oshawa Temple for the CSB, a double trio of current staff bandsmen and CSB alumni presented Leroy Anderson's popular "Bugler's Holiday." Soloists included Staff Bandsmen Ron Heintzman, Bob Gray and Stephen Mansfield with Oshawa Temple Bandsmen Mike Gilbert, Steve Nelson and Paul Robertson.

One exciting feature of the evening was the debut of the new CSB praise and worship team led by Staff Band Member Valerie Moreton, who kicked off the second half of the program by leading the audience in an energetic rendition of “My Redeemer Lives.” The CSB then presented “Russian Sailor’s Dance” (Gliere, arr. Jeff Christmas), conducted by new Deputy Bandmaster John Lam, and the vocal item “Righteousness, Peace and Joy” (arr. Len Ballantine), led by Steve Brown. For its main contribution to the evening, Oshawa Temple Band presented William Himes’ “To the Chief Musician.”

With a burdgeoning YP band and beginner band program at Oshawa, the CSB offered practical support by donating a Yamaha cornet presented to YP Band Leader Andrew Cherry. In fact, all proceeds from the concert went to the staff band's YP band instrument scheme, which benefits needy YP and adult beginner programs across the territory through the kind support of Yamaha Music Canada.

Following a Scripture reading and comment by Major Ron Millar, executive officer, the CSB presented Leslie Condon’s meditation “Gift for His Altar” based on Richard Slater’s devotional song, “I have not much to give thee, Lord, but all I have is thine.” Then to finish the program, the two bands united to present “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” (Wagner), conducted by Deputy Bandmaster John Lam, followed by John Rutter’s “Gaelic Blessing” (arr. Steadman-Allen), for which the CSB surrounded the audience. It was a memorable conclusion to a glorious night of music that was enjoyed by everyone present.

- Major Ken Smith