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BAND

MISSION STATEMENT

IT IS OUR DESIRE TO AWAKE WITHIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF ALL WHO HEAR AN AWARENESS OF THE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL. TO BLESS, ENCOURAGE, HELP AND INSPIRE THEM AND TO ASSIST IN THE WINNING OF SOULS FOR CHRIST'S KINGDOM.

PERSONNEL

BANDMASTER DEPUTY BANDMASTER
Laurence Moorby Chris Newing


SOLO CORNET SOLO HORN FIRST TROMBONE EUPHONIUM
Joel Griffin
Chris Newing
Laurence Moorby		 Jayne Griffin Lyndon Moorby Emma Locke
Gary Williams
FIRST HORN SECOND TROMBONE Eb BASS
Dawn Smith Ashley Griffin Major Cliff Allchin
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SECOND HORN FIRST BARITONE Bb BASS
Jean Williams Andrew Barnes Les Chambers

HERITAGE

It is quite appropriate that a Salvation Army Band should make its first public appearance on Easter Sunday Morning and we at Leeds West Hunslet are proud of the fact that we did just that, on Easter Sunday in the year 1895.

Very little is on record as to how many playing members there were in Leeds VIII Band, as it was then known, or even as to who the leader was.

In 1902, Charles Ring became the first Commissioned Bandmaster. Under his leadership, the small group of men grew quickly in numbers and by the start of the 1914-18 War, the band numbered about thirty players and proudly boasted a fine set of instruments.
The Band went from strength to strength and by 1924, 40 men were playing. James Wadman and then three more Bandmasters served before Fred Ring took on the responsibility in 1929. Bandmaster Ring's expert leadership maintained a high standard of playing, deportment and Christian Witness until 1948, when due to employment taking him away from the area, he had to relinquish his position.

During the next 25 years the Band was to have five leaders, longest serving of these Bandmasters being Herbert Wadman (1952-62). All these leaders worked hard to maintain the standards of musicianship and deportment which had been set in the past.

November 1973 saw the Band under the direction of Laurence Moorby, and this was a commencement of a long and settled period during which Bandmaster Moorby has worked hard to keep, and where possible improve on, standards and musicianship and of Christian Witness.

As well as weekend campaigns nationwide and overseas trips, the Band has featured on local radio and television and has produced cassette tape recordings.

In November 2000, Bandmaster Moorby officially retired but even at the time of writing (2012) still enjoys sharing the responsibility of leadership with his Deputy Bandmaster Chris Newing, a former member of the International Staff Band, who moved to Leeds from Bexleyheath in 1982.

The present ensemble owes its very existence to the leaders of the past, and such has been the influence of those leaders, that Bandsmen who have served within the Band are seen the world over, still maintaining the traditions expected of the Band.

Over recent years, the Band has taken the motto "The Band with a Message". Our message is embodied in our Mission Statement, and although we will always strive towards excellence in music making, our first main objective will always be to awaken an awareness of the Christian Gospel, and to assist in the winning of souls for Christ's Kingdom.

SONGSTERS

MISSION STATEMENT

"O COME, LET US SING TO THE LORD, LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION! LET US COME INTO HIS PRESENCE WITH THANKSGIVING; LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO HIM WITH SONGS OF PRAISE!" - PSALM 95 (RSV)

PERSONNEL

SONGSTER LEADER PIANISTS
Lyndon Moorby Joel Griffin
Ashley Griffin



SOPRANOS ALTOS TENORS BASSES
Dawn Smith
Major Carol Kendall
Joan Moorby
Karen Saxby
Beryl Whattam
Major Joy Allchin		 Jayne Griffin
Avril Humes		 Laurence Moorby
Les Chambers		 Major Cliff Allchin
Major Peter Kendall
Andy Peddle

HERITAGE

As far back as 1899 a Songster Brigade was established at what was then known as Leeds VIII Corps. It was under the leadership of a Mrs Timbel, an ex-officer, who suffered so much with rheumatism that sometimes a taxi had to be hired to take her to and from practices; at other times the members of the Brigade would meet for practice at her home.

The Brigade was slow to develop at first until in 1908, when the Commanding Officer of the day, Captain Rose, re-organised the Brigade. It quickly developed into an effective singing group. Only then were the members commissioned as Songsters, and Harry Godsell became the first Commissioned Songster Leader.

The Brigade has had a number of leaders over the years, most notable of these being Sam Boardman, Billy Mann, John Dring, Paul Hunter and Herbert Wadman. In 2000 the present leader, Lyndon Moorby took over leadership and has brought to the Brigade a wealth of musical experience from which the group has benefitted greatly. This has enabled them to make a significant impact with their music making wherever and whenever they have had the opportunity to present the Gospel in this unique way. Songster Leader Lyndon Moorby was brought up within the Corps at Leeds West Hunslet and is a fourth generation Salvationist. He is a former member of the International Staff Band and also former Bandmaster of the Yorkshire Divisional Youth Band.

Leeds West Hunslet Songsters have travelled and performed extensively throughout the UK and also abroad. They have always been held in high esteem as a quality choral group, upholding high standards of musicianship, deportment and Salvationism. Taking the words of Psalm 95 for their inspiration, their sole aim and objective is to sing to the Glory of God, and in doing so to bless, encourage, help and comfort those who hear, and to bring to all the message of a risen Lord Jesus Christ.