The Ontario Central Reservist Band is a Divisional Band of the Ontario Central Division demonstrating availability to take on many engagements not convenient for the general corps bands. The band consists of more than forty members with more than 2000 years of accumulative service in Salvation Army bands. The average age of the band members is seventy-one years. This past October (2006) The OCRB undertook a grueling nine days of programs, services and witnessing in England. The tour was capably orchestrated by bandmaster Geoffrey Norton, band sergeant Commissioner Donald Kerr and executive officer Lt. Col. Hugh Tilley.

Leaving Pearson International airport in Toronto with the slightest hint of snow blowing across the tarmac the band arrived at London in lovely autumn weather. From the opening weekend in Norwich to the concluding weekend in Reading it was a time of spiritual uplift, enjoyment, excitement and fellowship.

The invitation to make a tour of England came initially from the Reading Central Band who were going to celebrate their 125th anniversary in 2006. The OCRB was invited to celebrate with them on this auspicious occasion, including a visit to Buckingham Palace to play a joint concert in the forecourt. Despite an overcast day with intermittent rain (that thankfully held off briefly while in concert), this was a memorable experience.

After the Sunday morning meeting in Norwich, the local corps band invited the OCRB to join them on their regular weekly march to the market square just a short distance from the hall. The two bands formed up for the march (no mean feat for the Reservists) to the square where a host of people in shopping mode heard the message of salvation clear and plain. On a side-note, this too was an anniversary weekend for the Norwich Citadel Band, who happened to be celebrating their 124th birthday.

From Norwich it was on to Coventry, Bradford, Glasgow (Govan), Bristol Easton, Luton, and the final crowning weekend in Reading. Along the journey the band made two overnight stops at Sunbury Court, an elegant Salvation Army-owned property that they use for conferences, special camp sessions and especially the election of Generals.

Throughout the week the instrumental and vocal soloists excelled in their presentations. To quote a paragraph from the publication ‘The British Bandsman’, “Every band item was taken at a cracking pace and the words rollicking and swashbuckling could almost be applied to the playing and indeed to the gloriously old-fashioned but uplifting male voice singing.” The OCRB certainly felt that they received just as much blessing as they had imparted.

Very shortly after returning home the band played a Christmas Concert in the main vestibule of the Ontario Legislature during the noon hour. This was the first time an Army band had ever played in the legislative building.

The OCRB looks forward to continued ministry in 2007. Happy New Year!

Submitted by Cliff Cummings ( clicumshirl@sympatico.ca)

Pictures:

Rehearsal at Norwich	Soloist (and Deputy Bandmaster) Gary Dean
OCRB and Norwich Citadel Band	Open air meeting at Norwich
Stan Abraham and observer	Horn soloist Ian Watkinson
OCRB in formation	Sunbury Court Chapel
Buckingham Palace