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Fifth Street Brass: God's Instruments
by Kelly Sheads
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| Fifth Street Brass prior to their formal concert at the Rivne Organ Hall. (L-R): Glen Kelly, Chuck Rose, Gerry Bassett, Dale Devereaux, Teri Snyder and Bob Goodman. |
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Remember when you got your first trumpet, flute or guitar? You were so excited to have your very own instrument, and to know that you could play whenever — and whatever — you wanted. Every chance you had, you’d practice. You couldn’t wait to play for friends and family, wanting everyone to hear the beautiful music you made and see how much you had learned. You’d sit for hours, cleaning, polishing and adjusting, making sure everything worked perfectly. Your instrument was your most prized possession…. But if you’re like most people, it's now tucked away somewhere, and hasn’t been played for years. Wouldn’t it be great if your instrument could give someone else the chance to have the same experience you did?
Thanks to divinely opened doors in Ukraine, such experiences are possible — a special band from Wenatchee Free Methodist Church (WA) has created a foundation to collect and distribute used musical instruments to serious music students around the world.
Fifth Street Brass is a brass sextet, formed in 2002 at Wenatchee Free Methodist Church (Wenatchee, WA). Members of the band are Jerry Bassett, Dale Devereaux, Bob Goodman, Glenn Kelly, Chuck Rose and Teri Snyder. In addition to performing regularly at their home church, the sextet is popular in the community and often plays at weddings, community events and other church venues. Fifth Street Brass has produced one CD and is in the process of recording their second. Listen to song clips, purchase their CD, and learn more about the members of Fifth Street Brass and their trip to Ukraine at www.wenfmc.org/
fifthstreetbrass.htm. |
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When the six musicians of Fifth Street Brass first started playing together, they never dreamed where God would take them or how He would use their musical talents to reach people halfway round the world. Fortunately, the members of Fifth Street Brass were obedient to God’s call — not only to share their talents and love of music, but also to share God’s love with people everywhere. Their experience in Ukraine (in 2005) not only touched each member of Fifth Street Brass, but also opened doors for outreach that had been closed for a long time.
Before traveling to Ukraine (in Eastern Europe, formerly part of the Soviet Union) to share their music, Fifth Street Brass needed to have permission to perform – permission that would have to be granted by the director of education, who, among other things, oversees all orphanages in the country. Because of a past misunderstanding, the orphanage doors were closed to Christian missionaries. Meeting with the director and getting permission to perform looked less than promising.
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| Orphans at the Tuchen Orphanage outside of Rivne. |
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However, just three days before the band’s planned visit to Ukraine, on-site missionaries were allowed to meet with the director, who, after listening to the band's arrangement of “Two Colors” on CD, was moved to reopen the orphanage doors once again. He even added a boys’ military school to the schedule of venues, making Fifth Street Brass the first Americans to visit the institution.
In September 2005, Fifth Street Brass traveled to Ukraine, where they performed in Kiev (the capital), Rivne and several villages. While touring, the group shared their music in orphanages, churches and concert halls, and performed with members of the Kiev Symphony brass section, as well as at prestigious music schools including a university music institute. While visiting and interacting with the Ukranians, the band members realized the level of impact their music was having — in orphanages (where children see few visitors and have little entertainment) as well as music colleges (where the group was treated like celebrities).
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| Performing for gifted young musicians at Rivne Music Institute. |
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The highlight for Fifth Street Brass during their trip was their visit to Rivne Music Institute, where they performed for the students. The audience was extremely enthusiastic — and loved hearing music played on quality instruments. Even though the students were very talented, the school’s instruments were old, in poor condition, and had a poor sound quality as a result. Some of the instruments were literally held together with rubber bands! But the institute lacked the financial resources to have repairs made or purchase new ones. When the members of Fifth Street Brass invited the students to play songs on the band’s instruments, the students were absolutely thrilled. These instruments were easy to play and sounded beautiful. The music students even wanted pictures of themselves with the instruments they had played, and were extremely appreciative of the tremendous opportunity they had been given.
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| The trumpet section from the jazz band at the Rivne Music Institute, playing some of Fifth Street Brass' songs on Fifth Street Brass' instruments. |
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Fifth Street Brass was the first group of Americans to visit the Rivne Music Institute, opening the door to continuing access. Some of the students, as a result, are now receiving English instruction from missionaries. The band was also invited to perform a formal concert in the Rivne Organ Hall, seating between 400 and 500. Many in the audience were college students who came to listen and encourage the band. Scott Bolander, Wenatchee Free Methodist Church's worship arts pastor, who traveled with the group, sang “Sweet Little Jesus Child” a capella. After the concert, one local Christian said, “ That was probably the first time the name of Jesus Christ had ever been spoken in this hall.”
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| The jazz band from the Rivne Music Institute. Fifth Street Brass is sitting in with them as Glen Kelly directs jazz scores they brought for them of American jazz greats. |
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After observing the poor condition of musical instruments, the members of Fifth Street Brass wanted to find a way to help. In order to keep the doors open and continue the ministry they began in Ukraine, Fifth Street Brass formed the Instruments for the World Foundation, which helps provide serious music students everywhere with quality instruments – donated second-hand trumpets, flutes, guitars and such.
As a result of the Fifth Street Brass Ukraine mission trip, not only have the doors been reopened to Christian missionaries at Rivne Music Institute, and several orphanages, students are now using the Bible to learn English, and the good news of Jesus Christ is once again alive in these facilities. In the truest sense, music was the international language that bridged the gap between Christian missionaries and the people they were trying to reach. Thanks to Fifth Street Brass and generous donations, students all over the world will not only be able to create beautiful music, but also to experience the love of God in a way that speaks directly to their needs.
The foundation is seeking the very instrument you may have tucked away in your closet. For more information about instrument donation, as well as other ways you can help the foundation, visit www.wenfmc.org/fifthstreetbrassinstrumentsfortheworld.htm
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| Fifth Street Brass playing on a street corner in Kiev, helping promote a church meeting in a local community.. |
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