ASAPH Brass band raises money For a sister congregation

On Sunday August 16, the ASAPH Brass Band traveled to the community of Lahat Jolibois. Lahat is on the outskirts of Cotes-de-Fer, hometown of President Martelly. There is a church in that community that is a sister to the church I attend in Passe-bois-d’ormes.

Shortly after church that morning, six or seven of us loaded a pick-up full of equipment and headed to Lahat. While we installed the sound system and set up drums, the pick-up returned to Passe-bois-d’ormes and picked up the rest of the band and instruments. When they showed up, we were ready to play.

The Brass Band began the concert outside with the song NO NOT ONE. Then we entered the church together and played another big march-type hymn followed by Fannie Crosby’s TO GOD BE THE GLORY. Then we finished our first ‘set’ with a slow quiet hymn in four parts.

That was followed by a singing group for the host church and a group of musicians from a neighbor church who are students here at ASAPH.

Then the Brass Band took the listeners on a musical trip. We played music from the USA, Germany, Brazil, and then Haiti.

After another round of host-church singers, the Brass Band played some music from the Baroque period. Pachelbel’s CANON, an AIR composed by Bach, and a piece of Handel’s ALLELUIA from his MESSIAH.

After some more singing, the band began its final set. We began with a classic Haitian marching hymn SOLDIERS OF CHRIST. Then a slow quiet hymn AT THE CROSS. During that song, the musicians used their instruments to form a cross. We always want to bring home the message of the songs we play. Then, GLORY, GLORY, ALLELOUIA! And to finish the program, singers from Lahat joined with musicians from Mouyay and the ASAPH Brass Band to play BECAUSE HE LIVES!   It was a powerful finish.

Our encore was the Haitian Konpa song that had finished our musical voyage...a crowd pleaser.
 
The local church sold tickets for the concert, and all of the musicians played for free. SO, in addition to a musical performance that was as blessing, the local church also raised $860 (Haitian) on that day. As Bach signed his compositions, “To God Be The Glory!”