Portsmouth Citadel Band
From Sawiki
Band History
Portsmouth Citadel Band is one of the oldest and best known corps bands within the Salvation Army. Formed in 1880 by the then Commanding Officer, Captain Valentine Case, the band had as its nucleus, the Captain himself, his wife and their two daughters, with George Ball as the first Bandmaster.
In 1902 Alfred Simmonds was appointed Bandmaster and, under his direction, the standards of musical efficiency, deportment, discipline and Christian witness were achieved which have been retained throughout the years. Bandmaster Simmonds was Promoted to Glory in 1917.
Between 1917 and 1938, there were three appointed Bandmasters, Archibald Chittle (1917), Edgar Halsey (1927) and Alfred Nobes (1934), all making a contribution to maintaining and improving the standards that had been set in the early years.
When Harold Nobes succeeded his father in 1938 no-one could have envisaged what would be achieved over the next forty five years during which, with the exception of a four year period (1959-1963), when ill health forced Harold to relinquish his leadership to the able direction of Bandmaster William Buchan, he lead the band.
Shortly after the appointment of Harold as bandmaster the events of the period 1939-1945 were to prove the most traumatic in the history of the band, with Harold and 24 bandsmen joining the armed forces. In 1941, during an air raid on the city, Portsmouth Citadel was destroyed and most of the band's instruments and equipment were lost. In 1945, the task of rebuilding began.
The band conducted its first-post war weekend campaign in 1946, visiting Branksome Corps and, from then on, would conduct four such weekends each year with visits to corps in the United Kingdom. In January 1949, the band made its first broadcast, in the series, "With Flag Unfurled" going on to make numerous broadcasts on such BBC programmes as, "Bandstand", "Listen to the Band" and "Friday Night is Music Night".
During September 1949, a second tour of Holland was made (the first tour having been made in 1921 when Archibald Chittle was Bandmaster). Under the direction of Harold Nobes, further tours were undertaken; to Western Germany (1955 and 1973), Sweden (1968) and Italy (1983). In 1952 the band received its fourth invitation to play at the Bandmaster's Councils, followed by a further invitation in 1968 to take part in this prestigious event. The first of many LP recordings was also released in this year.
The 1977 BBC2 production, "Sounds of Christmas" was to be the band's first television appearance and, in 1978, the band was asked to play at the Century of Brass Festival at the Royal Albert Hall. Harold Nobes entered retirement in 1983, forty five years after receiving his commission as Bandmaster of Portsmouth Citadel Band, bringing to a close a glorious period of leadership.
Geoffrey Nobes was appointed to succeed his father, thus becoming the third generation of his family to be Bandmaster. Geoffrey continued in office until 1987, when Lisle Linnett took responsibility for the leadership. A career move necessitated Lisle's resignation during 1991 and Bandsman Chris Kennett was appointed Bandmaster.
In May 1997 the band was invited to take part in the Belgian Congress, then, in 1998, performed during a walkabout by Her Majesty the Queen following the annual Maundy Service held that year in Portsmouth Cathedral.
Shortly after this event, Bandmaster Kennett retired and was succeed by Deputy Bandmaster David Mallett, the present Bandmaster. Under his leadership, the band has maintained its standards of evangelism, worship and musicianship in the corps and the city. In 2001 the band released its first CD.
Probably the most ambitious of all the bands overseas tours was undertaken in December 2001 - January 2002, when the band campaigned in California U.S.A. The highlight of the tour for many was taking part in the New Year's Day Rose Parade held in Pasadena, Los Angeles.
2005 was a most exciting year for the band as it celebrated its 125th anniversary. A new CD "Journey Through Time" was produced, and a number of special events were arranged. These included a successful Eastertide tour of Switzerland and visits from the International Staff Band and The Black Dyke Band, PCB having the privilege of playing massed with the latter. A magnificent re-union week-end was organised, led by Bandmaster William Himes from Chicago. An exhibition including videos, brochures, and photos were displayed, also a band history and souvenir programmes were produced. The guest soloist for the weekend was Andrew Justice, a former bandsman. Over 120 former bandsmen returned, and on the Sunday afternoon an 80 strong band of past and present bandsmen produced a memorable programme. Former bandmasters William Buchan, Geoffrey Nobes and Chris Kennett conducted during the week-end.
The present band are well aware of their great heritage and give thanks to God for the way the band has been used in the past and continues to be used today.
