SC50: A celebration of legacy and commitment

Major Stephen Moir (Mitcham) and Salvationist Editor Major Julian Watchorn report on Stephen Cobb’s final weekend with the International Staff Band.

A capacity crowd gathered for SC50, a concert celebrating Dr Stephen Cobb’s 50 years of service with the International Staff Band, writes Major Stephen Moir. As part of a weekend of worship and celebration, the varied programme captured the essence of the band’s ministry over those years and featured a number of commissioned compositions.

Those in attendance were representative of all ages who have been impacted by Stephen’s spiritual leadership, mentoring, pastoral support and friendship. Throughout the evening were prevalent themes of legacy and commitment. This was evident in the many pre-recorded greetings from worldwide staff bands and other sections, alongside personal messages of gratitude from those whose lives have been positively impacted by Stephen.

A number of surprise items included Philip Cobbs’s rendition of the cornet solo ‘Sounds of Singing’ and Matthew Cobb joining his brother on the solo cornet bench to play William Himes’s march ‘Rolling Along’.

The friendship between Stephen and former bandmaster of the New York Staff Band Ron Waiksnoris came to the fore as the pair reminisced on the journeys they had both shared through commencing leadership of the respective staff bands in the 1990s. Their conversation provided a unique insight into significant events that both leaders had shared, as well as a recollection of previous personnel who had influenced Stephen’s musical and spiritual journeys, experiences and insights.

The venue for the weekend was also referenced at various points as being pivotal during Stephen’s early experiences of the International Staff Band as a child, as a young bandsman and then his subsequent leadership of the band for 32 years. It was evident that many of the young people attending the event had been attendees at the various music schools that Stephen had been a significant orchestrator or supporter of during his involvement with the International Staff Band as well as his role as director of Music and Creative Arts at Territorial Headquarters and bandmaster at Hendon Corps.

ISB Executive Officer Lieut-Colonel Paul Kingscott encouraged the congregation to consider the promises found in Psalm 23, to rest in all that God has promised us in this portion of Scripture, while recognising the dire needs of the world and the hope of the gospel that invites both ourselves and others into a relationship with God. This challenge was depicted through Ray Steadman-Allen’s ‘On Ratcliff Highway’ interwoven with visuals highlighting the historic work of the Army and its current mission around the world.

The final two pieces of music, Paul Sharman’s ‘Goodness of God’ and Marcus Venables’s ‘Holy Forever’, created a deep contrast in mood but acted as a reminder of God’s faithful promises to us and for generations to come. This was both powerful and challenging as we recognised – and gave thanks for – the work of God through Stephen’s service and music ministry over the past 50 years, and looked to the future as we continue to sing with the angels and creation in proclaiming God’s glory to the world.

The weekend continued on Sunday morning with further music to aid reflection and adoration of a holy God, writes Major Julian Watchorn, and an acknowledgement that we do this through Christ alone. An afternoon concert brought the weekend to a close. Starting with the rousing piece ‘Motivation’ and concluding with the timeless classic ‘The Kingdom Triumphant’, the afternoon was filled with pieces that have been significant to Stephen across the years.

A certificate of recognition was presented by Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main acknowledging Stephen’s 32 years of service and his lasting legacy. In a moving moment, Stephen invited his successor, Jonathan Evans (Sale), to join him as they embraced one another.

• Watch a recording of the concert for free at wobplay.com.