Making Music at Earlwood - the early days

The Salvation Army band at Earlwood began as soon as the Army itself, and quickly grew to become one of the top-ranking Army bands in Sydney.

The band travelled across Australia and even as far as Papua New Guinea to perform. 

One outstanding bandmaster was Harold Jurd, who picked up the baton in 1958 and held the post for 22 years. An Earlwood Salvation Army historical document describes him as: faithful, generous, competent, disciplined, known as an outstanding band trainer and leader.

Of course, the band wasn’t the only musical group at Earlwood. Timbrel (tambourine) brigades, songster groups and even women with spoons (pictured below) have been known to make a joyful noise inside the Earlwood Salvation Army citadel.