Music

The Salvation Army is renowned worldwide for their 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 will inspire worshippers and listeners everywhere.

Weekly worship services

Music is an important part of The Salvation Army worship experience. Through music, we have the opportunity to 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 every church has in common - the songs are Christ-centred 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 express 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 beginning of The Salvation Army band was at the direct request of General William Booth. Booth saw it as a tool for evangelism and communication, a way to bring people into church.

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 were having trouble with local hooligans, so Fry and his sons offered to act as bodyguards while the Salvationists sang in the marketplace. As an afterthought, the Frys brought their instruments to accompany the singing. In this unwitting fashion 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. Within the next few years, brass bands sprang up all over the country.

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 fellowship of retired Salvation Army band members, and the Territorial Youth Band for young Salvo musicians. The Staff, Veteran's and Youth band play at community events across the country. 

Songsters

The songsters are a choir made up of men and women of all ages. There are a number of songsters around Australia (and the world) who participate in bringing vibrant and heartfelt worship.

Choral music has a strong spiritual dimension which encourages Salvationists to connect with God in a deeper, more meaningful way. It is the desire and responsibility of each member of the choir to use their gift of singing to not only communicate with God but to communicate the Word of God in a relevant way.