"The Pasadena Tabernacle Band in Concert"

The Pasadena Tabernacle Band had a morning of relaxation - members of the band could either sleep-in (as many of the younger members of the band did), go to the Pier/beach or go to the Outlet Malls in Freeport. About 25 individuals in the band loaded the bus for the beach or the mall at 9:00 sharp. The band finally met up and departed from the hotel at 3:15pm heading back to the Old Orchard Beach Corps and campgrounds.

Upon arrival, the band was thrust into a brief "walk-through" of the evening program which also included a few sound checks. After the conclusion of that the band was treated to their last dinner at Old Orchard Beach in the corps gym before getting ready for the evening concert.

The band started passing out programs and sticking people with rose stickers as they filed into the Pavilion. The crowd started growing larger and actually had more than 1,000 people in attendance for the concert tonight. The band played a full concert full of pieces such as "I'll Walk With God", "Let Everything Praise" and "Sounds of California" to name a few. The audience was brought to their feet after the band performed "Southshield Celebration". Jody Davis marched in the Salvation Army flag during the piece when "Yellow Star and Red and Blue..." becomes prominent in the melody line. The piece finished with a dramatic cannon and streamer ending.

Soloists for tonights concert included Martin Hunt (Spirit of Salvation), John Docter (So Glad), James Allen (Gospel Rhapsody), and a duet played by Lambert Bittinger and Derek Flinn (Timepiece). Commissioner James Knaggs, Bandmaster Bill Flinn and Bandswoman Meredith Flinn provided introductions to the selections, while Lawrence Lycan provided his testimony.

The Pasadena Tabernacle Band not only ministered to others but were also ministered to throughout the evening. They ended the evening by going to "Jimmy the Greeks" to enjoy pizza to celebrate the ending to a wonderful tour of Boston and Maine. The band has been completely blessed throughout this trip and their memories will last a lifetime.

Off to bed for the night before a long drive and flight home tomorrow...

Sunday Morning Meeting..."March of Witnesses"...Sunday Evening Meeting

The Tabernacle Band participated in the morning holiness meeting under the leadership of Commissioner R. Steven Headgren. The Tab Band joined in the morning holiness meeting along with the Eastern Territorial Songsters. The band was able to provide not only a few selections in the meeting, but provided a few prelude pieces including “The Blessing”. The audiences thus far have been very receptive of the band and their ministry in Old Orchard.

After the morning meeting and a brief time of rest after lunch, the band was able to participate in an afternoon of marching and witnessing down at the Pier in Old Orchard. “I was inspired by the amount of people that showed up along the sidewalks today for the ‘March of Witnesses’. I felt like I was marching in the Rose Parade except it was only six blocks long,” said Isaac Henry-John. The band marched and played to a lively audience who stood around in the blistering heat to watch and listen to the band’s 20-minute concert at The Pier. “I was moved by the people who were singing along with the band on “Onward Christian Soldiers” found in the march ‘Tournament of Roses 2000.” It was great fun for the band and all those in attendance,” Henry-John added. The band played selections such as “Deep River”, “Red Shield March”, and “To Regions Fair” to name a few, lead by Lt. Colonel Norman Bearcroft.

After the march and afternoon concert down at the Pier, the band filed back onto the bus once again and headed back to the Old Orchard Beach Corps for dinner before the evening’s meeting. “The highlight for me of today was in tonight’s concert when we played “God Be With You”- I think everyone definitely felt the spirit moving tonight - I know that I did,” said Ashley Stillson. The band once again provided the prelude music as well as “Blessed Assurance Medley” during the meeting.

To conclude the evening, the bus stopped to allow members of the the band to indulge in some healthy food including Burger King, Wendy’s, McDonalds or Dairy Queen – then back to the hotel before a long day tomorrow.

Until then…


Please visit: http://www.livestream.com/salvationarmyny/video?clipId=pla_23056ad0-d261-459d-848e-010755c07910 tomorrow night (August 1st) at 7pm (EST) for the Pasadena Tabernacle Band's Performance at the Old Orchard Beach Pavilion.

Old Orchard Beach - First Meeting & The Pier

The Pasadena Tabernacle Band was able to catch up on some much needed rest this morning after getting into the hotel after midnight last night. The band departed the Ramada Inn at 11:30 sharp for lunch at the Old Orchard Beach Corps where the band was served cold-cut sandwiches and enjoyed a time of fellowship with each other & others involved in the camp meeting series.

After lunch the band set-up at the Pavilion for a brief rehearsal before rehearsing with the massed chorus. (a combination of the Old Orchard Beach Corps Songsters, spouses - mothers - sisters, etc of the Pasadena Tabernacle Band members, along with other Songsters from the surrounding areas) This rehearsal included a few "guest" conductors including Martin Hunt, Norman Bearcroft, the Eastern Staff Songster Leader, and the Old Orchard Beach Corps Songster Leader. The 2 hour rehearsal concluded just as the smells of lobster and steak were beginning to surface in the air.

The band and all those who participated in the Massed Chorus were treated to a fabulous lobster or steak meal which included potatoes, corn on the cob, bread rolls & a delicious blueberry cake for dessert. Many tab bandsmen were wearing their lobster bibs and trying not to spill on their travel outfit.

Tonight was the first meeting of the 2011 Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings. The Tab Band was joined in concert by the Eastern Territorial Songsters, the Massed Chorus, the ARC Chorus, a drama team and the message was brought tonight by Oscar Roan. The band played numerous congregational songs/accompaniments and even a few band features including "Go Down Moses" featuring Laura Foley on a flugel horn, "Proclamation" and provided "Heavenward" as a postlude. The evening was filled with music and a wonderful message encouraging all those in attendance to "come out of the cave!"

The Pasadena Natives enjoyed an evening on The Pier buying all sort of goodies including ice cream, vinegar fries, pizza and funnel cakes to name a few. Some brave bandsmen (Guy Jamison and Sarah Hall) even went on the most dangerous ride the Pier had to offer, while Bob Docter, Barbara Anderson, Holden Saunders & others enjoyed time on the bumper cars. After an hour at the Pier, the band filed back onto the bus to head back to the Ramada Inn for the evening. The band has a long day ahead of them tomorrow including the morning worship service at the Pavilion, the "Parade of Witness", a short concert at the Old Orchard Beach Pier and concluding with another Old Orchard Camp Meeting in the evening.

Well...off to bed for now - Goodnight!

Boston...Sightseeing...Concert at the Kroc

The Pasadena Tabernacle Band woke up this morning to a delightful breakfast at the Courtyard Marriott before heading to downtown Boston to enjoy a morning of sightseeing. The band was split into two parts and enjoyed an hour on “The Silver Trolley – City View Trolley Tours.” There were many native Boston historical spots visited, including Beacon Hill, Paul Revere's House, Boston Common, Bunker Hill Monument and Chinatown.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the trolley ride because we were able to see so much of the historic city of Boston. We enjoyed a tour with an extremely extroverted tour guide as the rain poured through the windows. We capped it off with a scenic tour of the Boston harbor seeing even more of the city's great legacy,“ said Nicholas Helms.

The band was on their own for lunch and each member of the band was able to experience something a little different. A few members of the band ate lunch at the "Cheers" restaurant while others ate in the Quincy Market. “I had the opportunity to enjoy some authentic clam chowder from the “Boston Chowda Company”. It was delicious – a once in a lifetime experience”, added Helms.

After an afternoon full of sightseeing and traveling around the historic and elaborate city of Boston, the band traveled back to the Kroc Center for an afternoon rehearsal and an hour of free time where members of the band played card games, basketball, relaxed and even some "helpers" steamed the bands uniform's for the evening concert.

The evening’s concert included a personal testimony from Lawrence Lycan, and solos by John Docter (So Glad), Martin Hunt (Spirit of Salvation), James Allen (Gospel Rhapsody) and a duet played by Lambert Bittinger and Derek Flinn (Timepiece).

“It was a thrill to hear the comments of people that were truly blessed by this evening's concert. Boston is an amazing city and we were truly blessed by the hospitality of the Kroc Center and the Divisional Music Department,” said Brian Saunders (Major)

After a wonderful day of traveling, sightseeing and playing a concert, the tired Pasadena Tabernacle Band got on a bus to head the 2 hours to Old Orchard Beach Maine. Its off to bed for the night before a fun filled day tomorrow!

We've Arrived Safe & Sound

The Pasadena Tabernacle Band arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at the early hour of 5:30am to line up for check-in and security. The 45-member band accompanied by spouses, siblings and mothers embarked on the 6-day tour of Boston, Massachusetts and Old Orchard Beach, Maine this morning at 8:45am. Under the careful direction of Jim Gebhardt, Bill Flinn & Bill Nottle, everything was transported with ease from LAX to BOS (for a moment we lost an alto horn) but luckily - it was found.

The Tab Band was greeted at the airport by New York Staff Bandmaster Ron Waiksnoris and the Massachusetts Divisional Commander, Major David Kelly. After getting another set of careful directions from Isaac Henry-John and others on the loading crew we were ready to depart the airport and head to our "home" for the evening, the Courtyard Marriott.

Dinner was provided to the band by staff at the Joan & Ray Kroc Center located in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The meal consisted of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, a medley of vegetables and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

After filling up our aching and grumbling stomachs from a long day of travel and no food, the band retreated to an evening full of fellowship including games of pool, card games, visits to the hot tub and even working out in the hotel gym. All in all, it was a wonderful first day. Even though its late in the evening - many of them members of the band are still on LA time...so it could be a late night before a wonderful day of sightseeing lined up tomorrow and concert at the Kroc Center before heading to Maine.

Good Night!

Dress Rehearsal...

Please be in prayer for the Pasadena Tabernacle Band as they come together tonight for the Boston & Old Orchard Beach Tour in exactly 6 days. Please check back here next week for tour updates.

Welcome to the PTB Blog

Check here for updates during our tour of Boston, Massachusetts and Old Orchard Beach, Maine. We look forward to having you join us along the way throughout the band's travels! Please be in prayer for the band during these last few weeks of preparation. Be sure to "like" the band on Facebook too!