London Citadel Band
From Sawiki
Band History
The tradition of London Citadel Band commenced in 1883, the first Salvation Army band formed in Canada. It has been in continuous service since that time. During World War I, the band enlisted en masse and several women in the corps carried on its work until the men returned.
The 1920's and 1930's saw the band, and its influence in the community, grow substantially. Pictures from this era show a band of 30 to 40 men under the direction of Bandmaster Hugh MacGregor and Deputy Bandmaster Glen Shepherd, resplendent in high-necked uniforms complete with bandolier style music pouches attached with white webbing belts. In contrast to today, the regiment for a bandsmen in those days was grueling, with weekly rehearsals, open airs on Saturday evening and twice on Sunday, and meetings Sunday morning, afternoon and evening--this, all in addition to being husbands and fathers, working long hours, five and a half or six days a week.
The men returning from World War II found that not only had the world changed but so had The Salvation Army. During the late 1940's and 1950's travel became easier and the band made its first long distance trip to Boston.
The economic expansion at the same time caused the dislocation of many members of the band and player turnover increased rapidly. With increased travel came a demand for increased leisure time and a change in corps programs, as first Saturday night open air was cancelled, then the Sunday afternoon praise meeting, then Sunday evening open airs. Bandmaster Glen Shepherd guided the band through these changing times but he too was forced to relinquish his leadership role when his employer transferred him to Montreal. The band, so much of a product of its leadership, now turned to an organized search for a new bandmaster and in December 1964, in the company of his family, Bramwell Gregson arrived at London Citadel, fresh from Tottenham Citadel Band, eager to take on a new challenge.
Having recognized the abilities of the men in the band at that time, Bram set outcome objectives with his locals and commenced a time of intensive training. The band, now numbering fewer than 30, attracted a number of other Salvationists, some from Tottenham and others who wanted to play in a Salvation Army band that was prepared to stretch its abilities so that the gospel message could be presented musically in the best possible way.
In 1971, the corps moved from its original downtown location to a suburban setting. This marked the beginning of the end of traditional open airs but opened new avenues of ministry for the band as it concentrated its outdoor ministry on hospitals and nursing homes and began to make recordings. The band's first long play recording was produced in 1972 to commemorate the opening of the new citadel. A second recording followed in 1973, with a third in 1974. This recording of marches, hymn tunes and songs from the Songs of Faith tune books was the germ for what would be the band's most successful ministry, the Old Timers series of five cassette recordings with almost 200 hymn tunes and a number of early day marches. More than 12,000 copies of these recordings have found their way around the world to be used in many ways: accompaniment for singing in small outposts; a reminder of home for a missionary on foreign service; a distraction from the busy working world as one drives along; or a comfort as the listener is reminded of the love that God gives all who believe in and love Him.
The band's first compact disc recording was released in 1991. 1993 compact disc releases included "Song of the Brother" featuring renowned euphonium soloists, the Child's Brothers accompanied by the London Citadel Band and "Excelsior", a wide variety of Salvation Army music presented by the band. Followed in 1995 with "A Christmas Celebration", a joint project with the Amabile Youth Singers, also from London. 1996 saw the release of "The New Covenant", the first release under Bandmaster John Lam. "Guardian of Our Way" was released to commemorate London Citadel's Tour of Great Britain in 1997. The newest addition to the band's recordings, "How Sweet the Sound" with Susan Turner was released in October 1998.
This is all part of an overall program to challenge the band to increase its musical ability and to present the message of God's love with skill, dignity and conviction. Travel, while broadening public interest in the band, is also part of this program. The band has traveled extensively in North America, visiting many centers in the United States and Canada, from Maine to Florida in the east and British Columbia to California in the west. In addition, the band was enthusiastically received in England in 1976 and 1997 and in Bermuda in 1980.
A typical year for London Citadel band consists of 175-200 engagements; these include community concerts within the corps and at various local churches; traditional band weekends when guest soloists and conductors join the band; participation in Christmas celebrations in and around the city in addition to an annual Thank You to the citizens of London for their support of The Salvation Army's work all through the year. All members are amateurs in the strictest sense in that they are unpaid for their participation in the band. Bandmaster, John Lam is a music teacher in the London School Board. Other members are university students, corporate executives, salesmen, factory inspectors, school teachers, a retired Salvation Army officer and several self-employed entrepreneurs.
Live performances and recordings have done much to establish and enhance the band's international reputation as one of The Salvation Army's most accomplished. This is due in large part to consistency of membership and dynamic leadership continued by the band's current Bandmaster John Lam who took over from Bramwell Gregson in 1995.
