American Band Journal #62 (268-269)

Band Music for Evangelism
Edited by Dr. Dorothy Gates

The American Band Journal has provided band music for Evangelism for more than 50 years. Over those 50 years, many changes in musical styles and perspectives have taken place.

The first twelve items, produced in a yellow booklet, were mainstream music for Salvationists in the Eastern Territory for many years. Following that, gems by Erik Leidzen were the main stay with his arrangement of What a Friend at the top of the most played list.

Until the mid-1970's, all the music tended to be short works suitable for outside evangelism or Sunday worship. That concept changed with the publication of Heritage of Freedom by James Curnow, a major concert work.

With the advent of "Praise and Worship" music, the American Band Journal began publishing works with gems from that genre.

In this issue, we continue to provide an opportunity of a challenge. Dorothy Gates has written a unique suite of Latin American flavored music based on contemporary Christian worship songs. While each movement can stand alone, the work will be most successful when featured in suite form as conceived by the composer.

Gavin Whitehouse has included two well-known "Praise and Worship" choruses in his bright and exciting march, Open our Eyes.

This is not your typical ABJ. It is our hope that your audiences and congregations will enjoy this fresh and spirit-filled music.

Ronald Waiksnoris
Territorial Music Secretary