Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/418074
music & arts>> 'Beyond the walls' RONALD WAIKSNORIS The installation of the Kinshasa Staff Band (KSB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, attended by Ronald Waiksnoris, USA Eastern Territorial music director and New York Staff Band (NYSB) bandmaster, was a musical mis- sion of monumental proportions. Daniel Diakanwa, corps offi cer of the New Rochelle, N.Y., Corps and son of the fi rst African territorial commander in Congo, introduced Waiksnoris to his home coun- try, where Salvation Army is celebrating 80 years of ministry. From September 1–11, 2014, Waiksnoris and Diakanwa conducted a music semi- nar attended by 40 bandmasters and songster leaders. The following is an excerpt from Waiksnoris's recollections. Monday, September 1: A long fl ight from Newark, N.J., to Brussels, Belgium, is delayed two hours. I'm enjoying cof- fee with Captain Daniel Diakanwa and talking about things to come in Kinshasa. We then take another long fl ight to Africa with a short stop in Angola. It's a spectacularly modern city. Back in the air, we approach Kinshasa. Upon landing, I see it is a developing city. Daniel has a friend among the guards who moves us smoothly through Passport Control and baggage claim. During our ride to the hotel, we see people along the highway run in front of busses, cars, and vans. Those vehicles are so fi lled with people, some hang outside. There is much shouting and horn blowing. We arrive at a lovely, small, new hotel in the center of the city. It has a restaurant and about 30 air–conditioned rooms. There is also TV and Internet ser- vice. What more could I want? Sleep! Tuesday, September 2: I travel to Terri- torial Headquarters (THQ) in Kinshasa. I'm amazed at our driver's ability. Everywhere, I see streets that might have been paved at one time. There are few traffi c lights or stop signs. Open drains create another hazard. Eventually, we see THQ, a walled compound in a busy area of the city. Commissioner Madeleine Ngwanga, territorial commander, welcomes us. She prays for us and for The Salvation Army. Later, we receive a briefi ng on the seminar/workshop I am to give. We meet with Sergeant Jean–Marc Mbumu, the national bandmaster, and Sergeant Jo- seph Nsilulu, the national songster leader. The seminar is to be held at the Army's William Booth University. The Army runs many elementary and high schools and has a university, which, according to Dan- iel, is the largest Salvation Army university with over 2,000 students. The compound covers many rocky and dusty acres. The Central Corps, formerly called Leo- poldville Central, is on the university. We look inside and see the young people's band rehearsing. They are good. I think, Perhaps the Staff Band is as promising! There's a 3,000–seat hall being built for General Cox's visit a month from now. After we walk across a soccer fi eld and into a weathered building, doors open on a spectacular chandeliered room, complete with red velvet–covered chairs and most important—air conditioning. God is so good, all the time! 'Sound' ministry Wednesday, September 3: Forty band- masters and songster leaders attend the seminar. We sing beautiful Army chorus- es and enjoy a time of prayer. I speak to them about making musical sound, living lives of sound judgment and doctrine so that our Christian witness sends the right message to people. I enlist four trombonists to play a lovely piece arranged by Dr. Dorothy Gates on the hymn "Be Thou My Vision." This piece features the trombones in unison. Then we harmonize the music for a quartet. Then I tell the group, "Harmony, blend, and balance are important in our lives as well as in our music." I then share the NYSB congregational song series. They enjoy singing a couple of them. I give National Bandmaster Mbumu the published set and the DVD to use with the KSB and around the territory. I say to the delegates, "We must think big and always have something on the horizon." I then share a video of the NYSB in Pasadena, Calif. The video gives us a chance to talk about opportunities for special musical programs. I then introduce them to Salvationist "Star Search" and "Future All Stars" before holding a Q&A session. I answer general questions about the NYSB and typical leadership questions such as "How 18 November/December 2014