PROGRAM NOTE
Glory! was written for the big band elective at music camp in the Netherlands several years ago. The traditional big band rhythm section was used (piano, bass, and drums) alongside all the instruments within the brass band except for the basses. The horns, baritones and euphoniums represented the saxophone section.
At the request of Howard Evans, bandmaster of the Amsterdam Staff Band at the time, the piece was rearranged to function without the need for the big band rhythm section. It has now been rescored and adjusted to make it widely available for a smaller group.
The tune Glory to His Name (S.A.S.B. 76) is treated in such a way that should bring a smile to the face of the listener. The third verse speaks about the joy we experience once we have let Jesus into our lives:
O precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in!
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean,
Glory to His name!
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Olaf Ritman is a Salvationist from the Netherlands. He grew up in a Salvation Army family with Salvationist parents and grandparents. His father and grandfather were active bandmasters in several corps. He started playing the cornet at the age of 10 and began learning the piano soon after. From a young age, Olaf developed an interest in composing and conducting. At the age of 22, he took up the baton to become bandmaster at his home corps.
Presently, Olaf is the bandmaster of the Amsterdam Staff Band. He first joined the band on solo cornet in 2000 and became the deputy bandmaster in 2006. In 2009, he accepted his position as staff bandmaster and joined a distinguished array of musical directors that helped build the Netherland’s fine brass band tradition, including musicians such as Bernard Verkaaik, Fokke Palstra, Cor Nieuwland, Dick Krommenhoek and Howard Evans.
Olaf is an Information Technology teacher at a vocational school in Ede, Netherlands.
He soldiers at the Valleistreek corps along with his wife, Marleen and their two children, Julian and Meike.