Tab Band to Celebrate 115th Year with Reunion Weekend

Pasadena Tabernacle Band's 115th Anniversary Celebration & Reunion Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, November 15 to 16, 2008

Everyone is invited to attend this milestone celebration at the Pasadena Tabernacle. A special invitation is extended to all former bandsmen of the Los Angeles # 2, Los Angeles Citadel, Los Angeles Tabernacle, Hollywood Tabernacle, Pasadena Tabernacle & Pasadena Citadel Corps to join with the present Tabernacle Band to mark the 115th Anniversary of musical ministry.

Many former Bandmaster are expected, including: James Anderson, Lambert Bittinger, Ivor Bosanko, Bill Gordon, Barrie Gott and Ron Smart. At least we hope they'll all be here!

Details of the schedule will be posted as soon as they are available.

Tour Highlights Video

Josh Cowing put together a great tour highlights video for us - Thanks to all who contributed content:

Our Plane was Struck By Lightning!

Just as we left Tampa International Airport for home, our Boeing 737 was struck by lightning. We were all happy to just get off the ground because all the flights were delayed [yes...due to lightning...] when this happened:

It's amazing that Jody Davis was able to get this photo of our plane being struck by lightning as we left Tampa International Airport. It's especially amazing considering the fact that Jody was on the plane at the time, but here is the picture and pictures on the Internet don't lie!

Nick Helms screamed like a little girl! (That's a direct quote from Martin...)

Photos from Clearwater

Photos from Orlando Concert

Some Sad News...

Just as we pulled away from our lunch at Planet Hollywood, after the bus had settled down and the band had completed it's amazingly efficient roll call, Captain Dusty Hill said that he had an announcement for the band.

He announced that he and Shelley had received their orders and would be moving at the end of June to take over as Divisional Commanders of the Hawaii and Pacific Islands division. He also announced that since he was soon to be a divisional commander, he would no longer answer to the name Dusty and that we should refer to him only as Captain Edward A. Hill.

Now, most of us knew that this would be coming, but actually hearing it was a real bummer. Dusty and Shelley have been great corps officers. I know this is a good move for the Army and for the Hills, but it is difficult to imagine the Tab under new leadership (at least for me, since they've been the only officers there since I arrived in 2004.)

I know that God has the right people for us. We are very grateful that He brought the Hills to us and that they will leave the corps as strong and vibrant as it has ever been. Pray for us, the Hills, and our new officers-to-be.

Photos from Downtown Disney Concert and Planet Hollywood

Downtown Disney Concert and LUNCH

It's Friday and time for another outdoor concert. This time we are at the Downtown Disney Marketplace--it's a shopping and entertainment area outside the main gates of Disney's theme park mega-plex here in Orlando.

It's quite amazing that on Monday we played outdoors is Macon, GA where the temperature was barely 40 degrees, yet just 4 days later and about 400 miles South, we are ready to succumb to heatstroke in temperatures just over 90 degrees and in full sunlight.

Sounds really rough, doesn't it??

We had a nice little concert and the folks from the Disney music festival (was his name really Hanz?) said that we played just the right kind of music for the audience. They also gave the band an major award that featured a statue of Mickey Mouse. (WE DO EXPECT TO SEE IT PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE BAND ROOM, BILL!) As the Assistant Executive Officer for the band, Major Ed Covert was given the somewhat dubious honor of making sure that the very fragile and undoubtably quite expensive statuette (the "MICKEY" as we affectionately refer to it) made it home to LA safely. Major Covert was seen with it handcuffed to his wrist for the rest of the trip.

After the nice concert we were treated to a great lunch (can anyone say barbeque?) at the only place louder than sitting directly in front of Josh Cowing at a concert: Planet Hollywood! The folks there were quite nice to us and we all got more than enough to eat and drink--and we didn't have to pay for it. We got so much to eat that when they brought each of us a giant chocolate chip cookie, most of us couldn't eat it. Len Zola volunteered to keep them for us for later on, and was seen walking out of the restaurant with about two dozen giant cookies!

Thanks Disney and Planet Hollywood for giving us this opportunity to perform and eat. We are getting quite good at eating!

Photos From EPCOT

A Day Off!

Well - if there's anything the band needed after this morning's crazy flight, it's a day off. We got one, too! We chose to spend it walking around a 5,000 acre theme park in the 88 degree heat of an unusually hot and humid Central Florida Spring day!

Actually, it was fantastic--and we could have just found a bench somewhere to rest on all day if we wanted. It's rumored that James Allen and Vimbaye found a nice table in an air conditioned restaurant. It seems that they fell so soundly asleep that their "friends" didn't have the heart to wake them, and left them at the table to rest. James and Vimbaye awoke at a table of strangers about an hour later and were a bit embarrassed to have passed out like that. (Actually--I think that James was UNDER the table...)

EPCOT center is spectacular--really--the attention to detail of ANYTHING done by Disney is always amazing. One of the highlights of the day was watching Jim Sparks screw up enough courage to strap himself into one of the capsules of the Space Flight simulation ride. (Jim had earlier experienced motion sickness while watching the Circlevision film about Canada--which, by the way, are both air conditioned.) I have to admit that after what had to be the 25th warning about how disorienting and possibly sickening the Space ride was going to be, I was nervous myself. We entered and it was truly fantastic--Jim made it just fine.

We spent much of the day eating and trying to find the next air conditioned place to sit for a few minutes rest. Finally, the moment that most of us had been waiting for was at hand: We were granted VIP seating for the awesome end-of-day fire works, music, laser, spotlight and exploding planet Earth spectacular! It really was quite amazing, and made just about any other fireworks display I've seen look quite lame by comparison.

Just as the fireworks were about to begin, the heavens opened and we were treated to a beautiful Florida thunderstorm. You can see from the photos that the last thing many of us wanted to do was wrap ourselves in plastic after spending all day in the Florida Sunshine. It was actually refreshing.

We walked back to the bus and were taken to our motel. Some of the band took advantage of the swimming pool and James Allen took advantage of the opportunity to fall with Nick Prince on his shoulders--giving Nick a corneal abrasion when he hit the side of the pool. James was actually quite horrified, but it looks like Nick will get to wear his cool sunglasses for the rest of the trip.

Tomorrow will be a bit easier and we won't have such an early start.

The Charlotte Miracle

Well - things started out a bit crazy this morning!

We left the hotel at about 5:00 am to make our flight to Orlando from Charlotte. When Jim Gebhardt arrived with the equipment truck, he learned that our flight had actually been booked for yesterday!

We're not quite sure how that happened, but it's not really that important. What is important is that by some miracle, we were able to get all new tickets on a different flight for all 45 or so of us, and that this new flight would get us into Orlando only 1 hour later than originally planned.

Unfortunately, buying 45 one way tickets 30 minutes before boarding raised some redflags with the Transportation Safety Administration (the other TSA), so each of us were singled out for extra security screening.

We made it to Orlando via Atlanta one hour later than scheduled. Only John Docter's suitcase was missing. but since we won't need our suitcases until tomorrow, it will be delivered to the motel while we are at EPCOT center.

The day has already been exhausting and we've still got a long day at EPCOT Planned.

Photos from Charlotte

Charlotte, NC

Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - Charlotte, N.C.

The Tab Band experienced the most recent highlight of its 115 year history last night when we performed a concert at the Victory Christian Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The congregation for the concert numbered over 1,500. Most were from the church led by Pastor Robyn Gool. The church is less than 30 years old but has nearly 4,000 members and massive education and social services. The church also has a great collaboration with The Salvation Army. The congregation is primarily African-American. The facilities of the church were amazing. Everything was state of the art and it was exceptionally well maintained and professional. We were warmly greeted and well treated during our stay. We were grateful to the local Army and the Victory Christian Center for their many kindnesses.

A few of the highlights of the concert included outstanding solo presentations by John Doctor (“Standing on the Promises”) , Martin Hunt (“Holy, holy, holy”), Lambert Bittinger (“Travel Along”), Matt Woods (“He had to hold to Calvary”), and James Allen (Grieg Piano Concerto).

Jim Sparks did his usual “meet the band” segment to the delight of the audience. When he introduced the piece “Disney Magic” it was suggested that the children come and sit on the steps in front of the band. It was a delightful thing to witness a hundred or so children pour from the vast auditorium on to the stage near the band.

I had the privilege of sharing a brief devotional based on Romans 5:8 and then interviewing Jody Davis. Evidently, it was Jody’s first public spoken testimony. He did great. We focused on his work as a Police Officer and how God helps to sustain him in that ministry. Jody believes that God has “called” him to this vocation as a means to serve him. Well done Jody!

The band is doing great. A calm and loving spirit is evident even as we get fatigued. Bill’s leadership of the band is greatly appreciated. Having said that, I think we are all beginning to look forward to our return home in a few days.

Captain Edward Hill

Photos from Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Well if it’s Tuesday, it must be Chattanooga! We left the CFOT in Atlanta in the early morning mist for the drive to Chattanooga. As we drove, we were treated to a top ten “old-school” style by our very own “Stadtler and Waldorf” otherwise known as the Nottle brothers. The fact that I can’t remember anything from their comedy bit doesn’t mean that it wasn’t funny.

We arrived about 11:00 am at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (UTC), where we were to give a clinic about brass bands to the music students there. It was a nice auditorium. We were joined by Composer James Curnow who used the band to show examples of how different combinations of instruments are used by a composer to create different sounds or “colors” and add interest to music. For the clinic, he used excerpts from the piece “Proclamation” which he wrote for the Tab band and this tour. The clinic was well received by all who were present.

We then moved to the Chattanooga Citadel corps for the 1st of 3 intensive feeding sessions. We were given gift bags including Cola and Moon Pies.

The evening concert was held at the 1st Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It is an amazing building. Although it’s not very old, it is built in the style of a large European Church. Real cut stone and a massive wooden ceiling were architectural highlights.

A local brass band, the Jericho Brass, played as a prelude to our concert and also joined us for two massed band items in the second half. James Curnow conducted the two massed items.

Although the crowds were a bit small and it’s always more exciting to play for a large audience, the band kept true to the spirit and purpose of Salvation Army music by giving their best. We don’t play for our personal glory, but so that God may use us. None of us knows what may come of our efforts on this tour and we are mindful that it may be in this very audience that God wants to work,

After the concert, we were treated to snacks by the Chattanooga Salvation Army who were kind enough to bring them to us at our hotel. It was a very nice spread and the people of the corps there are owed a debt of gratitude for their kind treatment of us.

We went to bed as early as possible (at least us old folks did) and got ready for the next day’s drive to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Photos from Atlanta

Photos from Macon

Macon & Atlanta

What a couple of days!

1 Sunday morning service
1 Parade
2 Concerts
7+ hours on a bus
65,000 calories eaten per bandsmen (slight exaggeration)

Sunday morning at Atlanta Temple Corps, we were warmly welcomed by the corps officer and had a chance to look around the corps building, impressive! They even have a fancy coffee machine for everyone to use, which is always on free vend, hopefully this is an idea Capt. Hill will take back to the TAB.

The band played quite a few pieces in the morning meeting, which where all well received and I'm sure that the congregation found them a helpful aid to worship. Meredith, and Derek Flinn also gave their testimonies in music. Capt Dusty preached on being "People of Proclamation" which if you haven't realized is the theme of our tour.

After the meeting we had a quick getaway to be at our next venue Macon, where we would be participating in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. This parade was fun and we where well received by the folks, and also gave the local SA good exposure.

After the parade we were off for some food, and we were in for a treat! BBQ and it was good, nothing more really to say about that. We got back to the training school fairly early so most of us got an early night.

Monday was to be a busy day. back to Macon (1.5 hrs) for a 'open air' concert for the ribbon cutting of the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was COLD! The powers that be made the desicion to wear our tour jackets which are quite a bit thicker that our festival tunics, some wore those under the jackets, it really was chilly. After all the dignitaries said a few words each we played the National Anthem then on to our concert which the warmed the souls of the listeners if not their bodies. We met a very pink poodle in Macon, Barbara found out the she had to get her roots done every 4 - 5 weeks (the poodle not Barbara).

On the way back to Atlanta we made a stop for food, we were advised by Bernie to try out 5 Guy's burger joint, he said it could compete with In 'N' Out. After eating the heart attack in a bun, I have to say the burger it was very good, but maybe not quite at the standard of our beloved In 'N' Out.

The evening concert at Atlanta Temple in the evening was well attended by the locals. The band played very well, Mr James Allen brought the house down with his piano solo (Standing O) he really did a great job. I pray that the congregation had a clear understanding that this was not a performance but an act of worship, for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

-Matt

Photos from Space Center Houston

Satuday, March 29, 2008--Houston to Atlanta

The day began in Houston, with a trip to the Johnson Space Center. It’s the same Houston that’s referred to in the quote “Houston, looks like we’ve got a problem here.” They opened the museum early for us and gave us a private showing of their introductory film about manned space flight. It was really nice of them, but I suspect that they started to regret the decision when Russ Prince, the first into the theater, rushed to the front—just near the screen—and stood behind a lectern emblazoned with the seal of the President of the United States. Acting as if he were delivering a speech, he began shouting and pounding on the lectern—this nearly gave our very kind tour guide a heart attack.

Perhaps the velvet ropes surrounding the lectern should have been a clue to its significance, but the lectern’s status as the museum’s prized possession soon became clear as the film opened with footage of John F. Kennedy—yes, that John F. Kennedy—delivering the well know line, “We choose to go to the moon, and the other thing*, because they are difficult…” In the footage, the lectern was clearly visible and the narrator said, “We are extremely proud to have this very lectern as one of the prized pieces in our collection," while a spotlight highlighted the actual lectern for a brief moment.

So congrats go to Russ Prince—the only man to deliver a speech at that lectern since President Kennedy.

As soon as the guards had taken Russ to a holding area which we have heard is located in a place they called “Gitmo(?),” the rest of the tour was fantastic. The highlight was perhaps the vast geekiness displayed by the usually ultra-cool John Docter. His knowledge of the space program was truly impressive. We are all hoping to add him to a trivial pursuit team some day.

The tour ended in a huge metal hanger that was at least 500 feet long and 100 feet tall. In it was an actual Saturn V rocket—the one that was scheduled to take Apollo 18 to the moon. My earliest memories are of watching men walk on the moon in black and white—I think it’s because the TV was in black and white—but to see that unbelievable machine there was really an awesome experience.

Oh—We did actually play a concert there as well—a noontime performance in the food court area. I don’t think that the assembled crowd of tourists there really knew what hit them, but on the balance, they did seem to enjoy it. We even sold a few CD’s.

Then it was quickly off to the Bush Intercontinental Airport for dinner and a flight to Atlanta. The best part of the flight was flying through a line of thunderstorms. Those of us who have flown frequently were used to this, but the younger ones in the group let out a few shrieks as lightning flashed around the plane.

Upon arrival in Atlanta, we were met by Bernie Dake and several assorted DMD’s. Also meeting us was our bus driver, Carlton. He has the distinct honor of being with us from Saturday evening, all the way through our Thursday morning departure from Charlotte NC.

Please pray for him.

More later.

Jeff Curnow

*Oh—if anyone knows what “the other thing” that Kennedy was talking about in that speech was, let us know…..

Photos from Pasadena Texas

Things are going well in Pasadena!

(Texas, that is...)

Well "howdy y'all", apparently that is how you greet folks in these parts of the world.

Just to let you know we're are having a great time so far, and I expect that to continue. The people have been so welcoming and they are all feeding us well. We might all have to order new uniforms when we come back, I have a feeling that the food of the south may put a few pounds on each of us.

The concert went well last night in Pasadena, TX. The Space Center was great, and our flight was okay and we haven't lost any baggage, long may that continue.

We arrived to a stormy and wet Atlanta, but we hope that will clear up for the parade tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

The TAB Band

Band flies to Texas - Photos

PROCLAMATION TOUR

Tour Itinerary

• March 28 & 29 - Houston, Texas
  
• March 30 & 31 - Atlanta & Macon, Georgia
  
• April 1 - Chattanooga, Tennesse
  
• April 2 - Charlotte, North Carolina
  
• April 3 & 4 - Orlando, Florida
  
• April 5 & 6 - Clearwater, Florida
  
  

Photos from Bon Voyage Concert

Band Roster

Executive Officer
Lt. Colonel Don McDougald

Assistant Executive Officer
Major Edward Covert

Bandmaster
William B. Flinn

Soprano Cornet
John Docter

Solo Cornet
Martin Hunt - Principal
Nick Helms
Arnold Henry-John
Laura Foley
Sarah Stillson

First Cornet
Bob Docter, O.F.
Caleb Danielson
Len Zola

Second Cornet
Jim Graham
Robert Docter

Flugel Horn
Matt Woods

Solo Horn
Barbara Anderson - Asst. Sergeant
Meredith Flinn

First Horn
Nicola Woods
Kathy Wood (Major)

Second Horn
Linda Manhardt (Major)
Ashley Stillson

First Baritone
Jim Sparks
Russ Prince

Second Baritone
Nick Prince
Bill Nottle (Major, Ret.)

First Trombone
Larry Lycan
James Allen
James Sloan (Captain)

Second Trombone
James Wood
Tom Nottle - Treasurer

Bass Trombone
Jeff Curnow - Public Relations Secretary

Euphonium
Lambert Bittinger - Deputy Bandmaster
Derek Flinn

EEb Tuba
Captain Edward Hill - Corps Officer
Bee Bryant
James Gebhardt - Special Efforts Secretary

BBb Tuba
Stephen Wood
Andrew Covert

Percussion
Josh Cowing - Sergeant
Stephen Gebhardt
Vimbayi Kaziboni

Quartermaster/Librarian
Terry Stillson

Band Color Sergeant
Jody Davis

Band Photo

THE SALVATION ARMY PASADENA TABERNACLE BAND

The City of Pasadena, California with a population of 135,000 is nestled below the majestic San Gabriel Mountains just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Pasadena, a city rich in historical charm and architectural beauty, is home to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology and many cultural and business institutions as well as one of the world’s largest New Year Celebrations, the famous Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game.

Pasadena is also home to The Salvation Army’s Pasadena Tabernacle Band directed by Bandmaster William B. Flinn. The members of this all volunteer band are active Salvationists who fully participate in the ministries and worship services at The Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle corps.

The band has enjoyed many “firsts” in their long history. The Tabernacle Band was the first Salvation Army band to march in the Rose Parade, an unbroken tradition that has continued since 1920. It was the first Army band to broadcast on national radio in 1931 and in 1946 became the first Army band to fly to an engagement. They were also the first corps band from the Northern Hemisphere to travel to the Southern Hemisphere.

Affectionately known as the Tab Band, this group of Christian musicians has been associated with five different corps names since being established in 1893. The group has the distinction of being one of the most traveled Salvation Army corps bands having undertaken music ministry tours to the United Kingdom, Demark, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and throughout the United States from Hawaii to New York­; Alaska to Florida. The band will celebrate its 115th Anniversary in the spring of 2008 with a five state musical tour of the southern United States.

The Tab Band has produced over 20 recordings and has been has been featured on numerous radio, television shows and in films. Its latest CD release is titled “Proclamation.”

The members of this multigenerational band come from a wide variety of occupations and pursuits. Many are high school and college students as well as business executives, entrepreneurs, teachers, nurses, executives of not for profit agencies and those who work in the many ministries of The Salvation Army throughout the greater Los Angeles area. They share a common commitment to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to support the mission of the band to enhance and support worship while providing a means of outreach and spiritual growth for the Lord and the Army.