Music

The Salvation Army is known worldwide for its music. Dynamic brass bands, choirs (otherwise known as ‘Songsters’) and contemporary music fill Salvation Army churches across Australia each week. But whether it be in church, on street corners, or in concert halls, the music of the Salvos is a sound that inspires worshippers and listeners everywhere.

Weekly workship services

Music is an important part of The Salvation Army worship experience. Through music, we express gratitude, reverence, and love for God. 

Every corps has a different flavour of music but regardless of style or preference there is one element that we all have in common — the songs and hold a message of hope that speaks to even the most broken of hearts.

Whether it be a contemporary band with modern instruments, a brass band playing songs rich in tradition, or a choir of voices encouraging all to sing-along, music is a way for Salvos to voice their worship to God.

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” (Psalm 95:1, NIV)

Brass bands

The first Salvation Army band was launched in Salisbury (England) in 1878 and was made up of Charles Fry, a local builder and leader of the Methodist orchestra, and his three sons. Salvation Army evangelists in Salisbury had been having trouble with local hooligans, so Fry and his sons had offered to act as bodyguards while the Salvationists sang in the marketplace. As an afterthought, the Frys had brought their instruments to accompany the singing. In this unexpected way the first Salvation Army band was born. Their immediate success led the Fry family to sell their business and become full-time musicians with the Army. Over the next few years, brass bands sprang up all over the country and became a way to introduce people to the message of Jesus and his love for all people.

Many corps in Australia have their own brass bands, with some band members representing in the Sydney or Melbourne Staff Band. We also have the Veterans' Band, which is a community of retired Salvation Army band members, and the Territorial Youth Band for young Salvo musicians. The Staff, Veteran's and Youth bands play at community events across the country.

Songsters

The Songsters are a choir made up of men and women of all ages who sing to God (worship) and encourage others to do the same. There are many songster groups around Australia (and the world) who participate in bringing vibrant and heartfelt worship to churches, schools and community events such as carols services.

Psalm 100:1-2 reads, “Sing to the Lord, all the world! Worship the Lord with joy; come before him with happy songs!”