The anticipation was building days before the 2007 Future All Star weekend as the 64 young brass players, ages 13 to 18 prepared for this great occasion to be held at the Salvation Army’s Star Lake Lodge. Students from all corners of the USA and Canada passed video auditions to be a part of this 4th annual event. In addition to the presence of the New York Staff Band the guest chaplains were Commissioners Lawrence and Nancy Moretz Territorial Leaders for the USA Eastern Territory. A cross section of music was chosen to challenge the students from Bramwell Coles “Divine Pursuit” and Eric Ball’s “Torchbearers’ to Norman Bearcroft’s “Just Like John” and Kenneth Downie’s “Exultate!” All the ingredients were there for a wonderful week end.

The timing of a snow and ice storm was not good for travel and unfortunately those coming from Newfoundland only got as far as Toronto before flights were cancelled. However the majority of the students were able to arrive on the Friday in time for words of welcome by Staff Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris and get straight into the first of many band rehearsals led by the Staff Bandmaster and myself. Commissioner Lawrence Moretz led the evening devotions based on the book of Hebrews before the Staff Bandsmen linked up with their prayer partners for the first time.

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After a good nights sleep for some, the day started with Commissioner Nancy Moretz assuring everyone that no matter where you live we all have a home in heaven. Following this time together three NYSB members were featured in a time called “Solomonies.” This time gave the students some insight into the lives of Jeff Barrington (cornet), Aaron VanderWeele (euphonium) and Burt Mason (trombone) along with some beautiful playing of “I Surrender All,” “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and “Share My Yoke.” Another rehearsal followed and just before lunch staff bandsmen led sectional rehearsals. The afternoon consisted of a massed rehearsal with the NYSB and just a short window of down time.

The evening program following another rehearsal featured some of the talented Future All Stars, Jason Collier (Philadelphia, PA) singing from the piano, Allison Ward (Hempstead, NY) horn, Daniel Summers (Salem, OR) cornet and James Allen (Pasadena, CA) on piano. The All Stars also saw a first viewing of the upcoming DVD of the NYSB from their 120th Anniversary concert held earlier in the year and soon to be released to the public. The long day came to an end with Commissioner Lawrence Moretz urging everyone to discover, develop and use the talents they have and to parallel their spiritual lives with the same discipline.
After a number of group photographs following breakfast, everyone gathered for a little different morning worship in that for the first part the set up was in band formation and then a short intermission followed in order to clear away instruments and equipment before the message. A number of the All Stars stood and poured out their feelings in a way that was moving for all present before the playing of that magnificent Wilfred Heaton devotional piece “Just As I Am.” Commissioner Lawrence Moretz challenged the Future All Stars to make the right choices in life stating that “Faith allows us to make the right choices.”
The afternoon saw everyone travel to the Salvation Army’s School for Officer Training in Suffern, NY for the final concert before a large audience of family and friends. The NYSB took over the first part of the program with Ray Steadman Allen’s classic “The Holy War’ and Peter Grahams “Call of the Cossacks” as well as featuring the talented trombonist Future All Star Kevin Downing (Alexandria, VA) with the solo “Count Your Blessings.” The Future All Stars then took center stage in performances of “Divine Pursuit,” Kevin Norbury’s “Courageous,” “Just Like John,” Noel Jones latin rhythm feature “El Es El Senor,” a euphonium feature “A Quiet Place” and “Just As I Am.” The final part of the concert featured the Future All Stars with the NYSB in massed numbers “The Torchbearers,” “Exultate!,” and Len Ballantine’s “Since Jesus” before concluding the program in the NYSB way with “Stars and Stripes,” and “Rock of Ages.”

All of this in less than 48 hours- what an achievement. The audience showed their appreciation and it was time for everyone to say their good byes and travel home. How can one reflect on such a weekend of not only intense music making but thought provoking challenges provided by Commissioners Moretz on such topics as faith, love, and discipline? Commissioner Nancy Moretz said “The Future All Star weekend was extraordinary! The Spirit of God is in this. We saw young people submit their musical talents to be developed, encouraged and refined for use in this great Mission we share.” Long time Staff Bandsman Major Thomas Mack put it this way “I felt that the FAS came with a sense of unity and honesty of spirit- a unity of wanting to produce excellence of music and honesty before God and fellow Christian musicians.” NYSB Executive Officer Major Richard Munn said “It seems that the FAS weekend is increasing in musical proficiency and spiritual depth with each successive year. The dynamism is quite dramatic.” It would be wrong to end without the comments of one of the Future All Stars and Anthony Sutton from Schenectady, NY put it simply “This weekend has been an inspiration.” So say all of us.

Gordon Ward