Swindon Citadel Songsters
From Sawiki
History
An interesting, informative article accompanied by a photograph concerning the brigade of nearly thirty members appeared in ‘The Bandsman, Songster and Local Officer’ dated 15th May 1909. Comment was made on the progress and hopes for the future. Over the years, twelve Songster Leaders have duly undertaken responsibility for this choral ministry. The longest serving being Fred Hatton who completed twenty-five years in this position. As with the band and due to similar reasons the membership in recent years has changed from being purely local in its origin and nowadays there are several people from many differing parts of the country who have taken their place in the brigade.
During the years, the songsters have ‘specialised’ at numerous other corps and also visited many churches and chapels in the neighbourhood. Perhaps a highlight of the brigade’s career was the invitation to participate in the Massed Chorus formed for the Songster Leaders’ Councils Festival held at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1979. In March 1980 it was one of two ‘solo’ brigades featured at the Bristol and South Wales Division’ Councils Festival held at Cardiff.
An event introduced a few years ago and now repeated annually is the visit at Christmas time to Stratton Hospital when a gift funded from donations by corps folk is distributed to every patient (approximately 200), as the songsters tour the wards singing about the Nativity Story. This for many members brings the greatest satisfaction and reward from amongst the numerous duties and events of the Calendar.
