No 44   Festival Prelude - Hallelujah! - youtube

by James Curnow

This festive opener, written for the Chicago Staff Band´s 100th anniversary 2007 is an aggressive call to action inspired by James Montgomery´s hymn "Stand up and bless the Lord" and includes the chorus "Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah"

No 45   Festival of Thanksgiving

by Kenneth Downie

Written to commemorate the Chicago Staff Band´s 100th anniversary 2007 this vibrant work utilizes several themes of praise from universal and personal perspectives to express our thanksgiving to God. Traditional melodies include "Let us with a gladsome mind" . "To God be the Glory" - "Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul" and "Now thank we all our God"

No 46   Pastorale  -  Precious Fountain - youtube

by William Himes

A reflective setting of the classic gospel song "Jesus, keep me near the cross" by Fanny Crosby to the German tune, "Healing Stream". The commposer wrote this as a gift for his father´s 80th birthday. This song has special significance in that it was often sung during family devotional times aroundthe dinner table.