Chicago Staff band

The Band with a Sacred Message

ABOUT THE BAND

In America’s heartland, the Chicago Staff Band represents the finest traditions of Salvation Army banding. A premier brass ensemble of The Salvation Army USA Central Territory, the band is composed of Salvationist musicians from across metropolitan Chicago who are dedicated to Christian service, musical excellence, and worship-centered ministry.

Founded in 1907 as a gathering of Salvation Army employees—hence the name “staff band”—the ensemble today reflects a wide range of professions and callings united by a shared love for God, commitment to their local corps congregations, and high-level musical ability offered freely in volunteer service.

Serving both locally and globally, the Chicago Staff Band travels regularly throughout the Midwest and has undertaken concert tours across Europe, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Americas.

Through thoughtful and innovative programming, the band strives to inspire audiences and glorify God—remaining faithful to its calling as “the band with a sacred message.”

Founded in 1907

PERSONNEL

LEADERSHIP

Territorial Leader
Commissioner Evie Diaz

Executive Officer
Lt. Colonel John Pook

Music Director
Brett Tolcher

Band Manager
Beth Malovance

Chaplain
Major Kristina Sjogren

Graphic Designer
Ken Romin

Librarian
JJ Pook

Quartermaster
Marty Thomas

Travel Coordinator
Major Julie Trapp

BAND PERSONNEL

Soprano Cornet
Marc Smith

Cornet
Beth Malovance
Kevin Polsley
JJ Pook
Lt. Colonel John Pook
Major Tim Meyer
Laura Asha
Bryant Erickson
Justin Tooley
Morgan Pierson

Flugel
Caroline Wajda

Horn
Major Kristina Sjogren
Morgan Marinelli
Alberto Rapley
Ken Romin
Lt. Col. Greg Thompson

Baritone
Marty Thomas
Abraham Leka
Annelyse Spencer

Trombone
Bill Luhn
Sang Kim
Major Tim Pascoe

Bass Trombone
Sadiq Tijani

Euphonium
Nathan Hellstrom
Andrew Wainwright

Eb Tuba
Capt. Paul Bowyer
Tom Robertson

Bb Tuba
Brian Allan
Jonathon Weller

Percussion
Joel Harmon
Jacob Pook
Sam Leka

Multimedia Specialist
Emily Aukes

Social Media Specialist
Katelyn Church

Interested in becoming a member?

upcoming events

Event	Date & Time	Group	Details
Chicago Staff Band Concert – Columbus, OH Peace United Methodist Church	April 18, 2026 7:00 pm	Chicago Staff Band	View
Chicago Staff Band Weekend – Columbus, OH Worthington Woods Salvation Army	April 19, 2026 11:00 am	Chicago Staff Band	View
Come & Play Territorial Headquarters	April 28, 2026 7:00 pm	Chicago Staff Band	View
Chicago Staff Band Weekend – Flint, MI Flint Citadel Corps	May 16, 2026 All Day Event	Chicago Staff Band	View
Commissioning	June 12, 2026 All Day Event	Central Territorial Staff Songsters Chicago Staff Band Rising Stars Territorial Worship Collective	View
Cadets Welcome	September 11, 2026 7:00 pm	Central Territorial Staff Songsters Chicago Staff Band Territorial Worship Collective	View
Chicago Staff Band Retreat	September 18, 2026 All Day Event	Chicago Staff Band	View
Chicago Staff Band Weekend – OPEN	October 17, 2026 All Day Event	Chicago Staff Band	View
Chicago Staff Band Weekend – OPEN	November 7, 2026 All Day Event	Chicago Staff Band	View
Chicago Staff Band Weekend – OPEN	January 23, 2027 All Day Event	Chicago Staff Band	View

RECORDINGS

annual Patron List

FRIEND ($1-59)

Tanya Bergman and Al Haak
Michelle Bowen
Karen Eldrenkamp
Robert and Marian Elliot
Randall and Judith Johnson
Morgan Marinelli
Dave Meyer
Jim and Ulla Olson
Roy Olson
Larry and JoAnn Roessler
Gerald and Ermalynn Scherrer
Jeffrey and Maria Sinley
Jutta and Ron Spanke
Randy and Lynn Szostek
Erik and Theresa Tuskey

PATRON ($60-99)

Franklin Beach
Lowell and Jan Benson
Tim and Nancy Botts
Ruth Brendel
Steve and Lisa Carlson
Patrick and Linda Fallon
Andy and Ronda Glowaty
Majors Randy and Kathy Hellstrom
Colonels Gary and Eunice Herndon
Lt. Colonel Larry Hull and Family
Dean Incopero
Kevin and Evie Polsley
David A. Talcott
Jean Warren

SUSTAINER ($100-199)

Anonymous
Stephen and Susan Behrens
Tom and Lee Ann Benedict
Gordon and Lisa Bingham
Lt. Colonel Robert L. Bonifield
Captain Paul Bowyer
Brooksbank Family
David and Jane Chesham
Marc and Holly DeBow
Mrs. Barbara J. Dettmer
Friend
Major Dorothea Hanton
Karen Henderson
William and Linda Himes
Craig and Karen Johnson
Peter Kim
Randy and Melodie Kinnee
Larry and Pat LaBelle
Thomas W. and Judith Leimbach
Majors Don and Karlene Lenz
John and Kris Levander
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Long
Beth & Andy Malovance
Jennifer Malpass
Rev. Dr. John and Barbara Meyers
Byron Miller
Lon and Linda Oury
Majors Tim and Debra Pascoe
Meghan Pierson
Dan and Margee Pluister
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Pluister
Kenneth Romin, Graphic Design
John J. Schlenker
Ron and Carol Shoults
Paul and Sharon Skrudland
Lt. Colonels Paul and Renea Smith
Renee and Keith Spacapan
Ronald Stenger
John and Cheryl Sundman
Commissioners Barry and Sue Swanson
Brett and Kelly Tolcher
Ted and Cheryl Tolcher
Curt and Sheri Trout
Douglas and Patricia Yeo

BENEFACTOR ($500+)

Bill and Sharon Waiksnoris

IN HONOR

Captain Jennifer Bowyer

IN MEMORY

George, Sr. and Marion Binder
Lt. Colonel Ruth Bonifield
Robert Brendel
Harold G. and Naomi M. Burgmayer
Colonel and Mrs. Howard Chesham
William A. Dettmer
Marjorie Fleeman
Major Lloyd A. Hanton
Edward Homer
Lt. Colonel Muriel Hull
Harold, Carolyn, and Gordon Hultmark
Colonel Paul Kim
Bill and Carrol Lankenau
Harry and Betty McBride
Robert McHarg
George Rapinchuk
Jill Romin
Major Rand Sjogren
Ted Smith
Jack Thomas (CSB)
Art and Ruth Tolcher
Jim Warren (Prime Time America)

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