Songsters
Salvation Army music is constantly evolving. Originally the Songster brigades (choirs) were formed to teach the congregation new songs and this still happens today.
Music published today varies considerably from that of early day Salvationists. While there is still a place for the simple ‘a capella’ four-part harmony, a lot of modern music is accompanied by a combination of piano, guitar, string bass, percussion, flute and brass. This makes for a varied and interesting repertoire with, it is hoped, something to suit all tastes.
Chatham Songster brigade was formed in 1902 and follows the ‘Army’ tradition of a mixed voices group and is directed by Songster Leader Adrian Horwood. Adrian has participated in music, in a number of different Corps around the UK, virtually all his life and has been involved in Choral leadership for over 35 years with different groups. He is principal Euphonium in the Corps band and since taking early retirement from a career in banking, has developed a portfolio of directorships in the public and voluntary sectors.
A Songster brigade relies on a good accompanist and the brigade is fortunate to have the services of Carole, Adrian’s wife, in that role. The wider accompaniment team includes Nigel Lockwood (string bass) and David Lockwood (percussion) among others.
L to R: Carole, Nigel & David
The aim of the brigade is to encourage and inspire people through singing about the good news contained in the Gospel, with a very important secondary aim of providing friendship and fellowship within the group itself. The first aim is accomplished through using its music to enhance weekly worship at the Corps in Chatham, and anywhere else the group is asked to sing. It aims to provide high quality music to stir the emotions of the listeners and thereby allow their hearts and minds to focus on Christ.
Members come from a variety of backgrounds and occupations, and after giving their lives to God and deciding to become ‘soldiers‘, or members of The Salvation Army, having expressed their desire to commit their musical talents to Him in this way.
In 2002, the brigade’s centenary year, a CD entitled ‘Bridging the years’ was produced and over the years programmes have been given throughout the UK – in recent years these have including visits to Salvation Army centres in Plymouth, Southsea, Gloucester, Boscombe, Portsmouth, Croydon, Kettering, Derby, Sittingbourne, Chelmsford, Ramsgate and Belfast.
Musical programmes have have been presented at many local venues, for churches and many good causes, on occasion combining with other musical groups such as the Kent Messenger Band and our own band. The brigade has sung in London’s Festival Hall as well as overseas – the most recent example being a tour of France and Switzerland in 2005, which featured a number of items especially written for the brigade.
Visits to Gillingham Methodist church, and the Salvation Army’s Reading Central Corps took place in 2010 and Royal Tunbridge Wells Corps in 2011, during which Chatham also hosted a visit from the Reading Central Songsters for a Sunday and joined with the Central London Fellowship Band at our own hall, and the South London Fellowship Band at The Salvation Army hall in Maidstone to present programmes of music with a message.
Plans for 2012 include:
a fund-raising programme with Regent Hall Salvation Army band on Saturday 4th February to raise funds for the alterations being made to our buildings in Chatham
participating with Chatham Salvation Army band in the now annual Easter Tuesday musical presentation on 3rd April in our own building
a programme on 21st September, at The Salvation Army in London’s Oxford Street, in recognition of Lt Colonels Ray & Joy Steadman Allen’s contribution to the Salvation Army on the occasion of Ray’s 90th birthday, where other participants will include The International Staff band and Kettering Songster brigade
a programme of music at the Eastbourne Citadel Corps on 6th October
We would like to extend an invitation to any of these events, which are all public meetings, as are the services each Sunday in our hall in Chatham and in which we participate. We are blessed that so many people wish to be involved in this ministry, and so many people want to listen to the unique combination of words and music that we present as our own sacrifice of praise to God.