Peter van der Horden
Lieutenant Commander (R) Canadian Forces

“The Lord has blessed me in more ways than I could ever imagine. Any talents or gifts I possess I owe to Him, and I want to use those gifts to the best of my ability to bring honor and glory to Him and bring people to a closer awareness of Him.”

So says Peter van der Horden, Bandmaster of the Halifax Citadel Band of The Salvation Army for the past ten years and, until his retirement in 2001 after 37 years of military service, was Lieutenant Commander of the Maritimes Forces Stadacona Band.

Peter was born in Schiedam, The Netherlands, and at six, moved to Canada with his parents and younger sister, arriving at the famous Pier 21 in the Halifax harbour. Pier 21 holds a special place in Peter’s heart in that, 45 years later, he conducted the Navy Band in ‘O Canada’ during opening ceremonies declaring the pier an official tourist attraction and museum. He stood, baton in hand, a few feet from where he first stepped on Canadian soil as a lad. It was an emotional moment. The Salvation Army display in the museum includes a picture of Peter’s family preparing to embark from Holland on their journey to the new world.

Growing up in Ottawa, Peter’s early spiritual and musical journey was shaped in his home and in both the junior and senior bands at Ottawa and Parkdale Citadels, then Woodroffe Temple, where he became Deputy Bandmaster. He declares high praise and respect for salvationist Ken Moore, one of his Bandmasters in The Salvation Army and his first Director of Music in the Air Force, which he joined in 1964.

Peter’s military career is impressive. He attended the Tri Service School of Music in Victoria, B.C., and graduated into the Air Force Band in 1966, which became the National Band, then the Central Command Band, where he remained until 1983. As a Warrant Officer he was the lead trombonist and section leader.

In 1983 Peter experienced a change of venue, and was selected for the Assistant Director of Music course in Victoria, B.C. He was subsequently posted to the Navy Band in Halifax, NS. He swiftly rose from Chief Petty Officer to Lieutenant (N). His star was rising.

Peter graduated from officer courses in B.C., to the music staff at National Defence headquarters, to CFB Borden School of Music where he taught conducting, to Kingston as Commanding Officer and Director of Music for the Canadian Forces Vimy Band. He was eventually posted to Halifax in 1993 where he took over the leadership of the Navy band. He was then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His roots were now firmly fixed until retirement.

In retirement Peter has composed marches, solos, suites, worship choruses and hymn tune settings for Salvation Army bands, and has written several pieces for the Concert band. Several of his pieces are on file with The Salvation Army in London, England, for possible future publication. In April, 2008, he will conduct the Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic in one of his compositions which was specifically written for the band’s Battle of Atlantic concert.

This busy man still has time for hobbies, enjoys a variety of sports, and is presently training for another half-marathon.

Peter admits that he’d rather play than conduct and his instruments of choice have been the Conn Constellation, a King 3B and a Bach 36- all trombones, of course. His preference is the King 3B. His desire to play resulted in Bandmaster Kevin Hayward’s invitation to accompany the Canadian Staff Band on their tour of western Canada. Faxed music for practice and one rehearsal and he was on his way to what he describes as, "One of my most wonderful and gratifying experiences of my musical career.”

He was impressed with the high caliber of these Christian musicians and was able to see and feel the tremendous power of ministry.

Like so many Salvation Army musician, Peter can rhyme off his favorite compositions such as: The Red Shield march, Quintessence, Resurgam, For Our Transgressions, The Eternal Quest, the tunes of Fewster and The Wonder of His Grace.

For listening pleasure he enjoys reflective worship choruses, contemporary vocals and meditative piano stylings.

This accomplished practitioner, soloist and conductor, has a few words of advice for the younger musician:
-Practice plenty of long tones, middle register first.
-Relax and breathe properly.
-Use lip flexibility exercises.
-Practice scales, slowly at first.
-Practice daily.
-Enjoy what you are doing.

Peter saves his best advice to the last. “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

- by Lt. Colonel Merv Leach (R)