Sydney Staff Songsters
From Sawiki
History Of The SSS
A very small advertisement in the "War Cry" late in 1988 was the first indication of the proposed formation of the Sydney Staff Songsters, and late in January 1989 the group met, at the Collaroy Centre, for their inaugural weekend.
The formation of the group was a dream of the then Territorial Commander, Commissioner L Roy Lovatt, and he invited Dr Ron Smart P.S.M., (then Deputy Director, and later Director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music), to be the conductor of the new group of 22 singers, with Craig Woodland as pianist. (No bass, no drums - all of this was still to come!)
After just a few short weeks of rehearsal the Sydney Staff Songsters made their first public appearance, at a NSW State Congress Music Festival in the Sydney Town Hall.
Under Ron's leadership the group quickly began to develop their unique style, where communication with the audience was a priority. Two recordings were produced; "SONGS OF PRAYER AND PRAISE'" (1991) and "FROM THE FIRST HALLELUJAH TO THE LAST AMEN" (1992)
Between 1989 and 1995 the group travelled interstate (Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide) and overseas, performing in a variety of venues - the High Court building in Canberra, city and country corps, London's Royal Albert Hall and the Australian High Commission in Moscow.
In 1995 Ron retired as the leader, and the group went into recess until March 1997, when Graeme Press became the new leader, following his return to Sydney to take up the role of Territorial Secretary for Music & Creative Arts.
The first major tour under Graeme's leadership was undertaken in 1998, including New Zealand, the USA and Canada.
Since 1997 the group has produced 7 recordings, "MIDNIGHT CRY" (1998), "SINGING WITH THE SAINTS" (1999), "A LITTLE SOUTH OF HEAVEN" (2000), "THE HEART OF WORSHIP"(2002), "FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS" (2003), "LIGHT A CANDLE" (December 2004) and "FROM THE FIRST HALLELUJAH TO SUCH A TIME AS THIS" (This compilation CD was produced as part of the 15th Anniversary celebrations in November 2004). Recordings have become a very valuable aspect of the group's ministry.
In 2000 the Staff Songsters participated in the Salvation Army's Millenium Congress in Atlanta, Georgia USA, and then toured in both the USA and the UK before taking part in the 20th Anniversary celebration for the International Staff Songsters - a concert at London's Fairfield Halls, with Staff Songster groups from New Zealand, Melbourne and Amsterdam.
However, the SSS has also maintained a schedule of regular visits to corps, both large and smaller, where worship is shared with fellow-Christians.
Over the years the group has been greatly blessed with outstanding leaders and talented, dedicated singers and musicians. We believe that God has used us for His glory - and that He will continue to do that!
