Brass Banding is Alive and Well in Norwich
In the last 15 years or so, it seems there has been a shift in The Salvation Army. It seems we were dangerously getting away from our musical heritage. We were focusing more on the "gospel arts" as we have come to refer to them. These include, sacred dance, drama, etc. It used to be, that you could not participate in a musical program unless you played an instrument or a tamborine. I am not taking away from gospel arts, but it seems that there was less of an emphasis placed on our brass band heritage.
In the last few weeks, we have pulled our old instruments at the corps out of the "mothballs." No they weren't packed in mothballs, but they had been sitting for some time. I have also purchased some instruments of Ebay, and am currently watching a couple of cornets that the auctions end tonight. This last week I picked up a Yamaha cornet and Yamaha Euphonium for very good prices!
As I type this, the kids of the corps are being instructed by our Divisional Music Director the basics of music theory. In the weeks ahead, they will be assigned instruments and the junior band will be formed.
I think it is great that these old instruments are getting use once again. We have about 10-12 kids interested in learning how to play.
Brass banding is back...in Norwich anyway!
In the last few weeks, we have pulled our old instruments at the corps out of the "mothballs." No they weren't packed in mothballs, but they had been sitting for some time. I have also purchased some instruments of Ebay, and am currently watching a couple of cornets that the auctions end tonight. This last week I picked up a Yamaha cornet and Yamaha Euphonium for very good prices!
As I type this, the kids of the corps are being instructed by our Divisional Music Director the basics of music theory. In the weeks ahead, they will be assigned instruments and the junior band will be formed.
I think it is great that these old instruments are getting use once again. We have about 10-12 kids interested in learning how to play.
Brass banding is back...in Norwich anyway!
posted by Christian at
3/09/2007 06:14:00 PM
3 Comments:
The genius of The Salvation Army is that we've always found ways to incorporate new things and make them uniquely Army. In some corps, worship bands and gospel arts may well take the place of "banding." But in other corps, all of these groups thrive sideby-side to create rich worship expressions. The Army is big enough and flexible ehough to incorporate all of them in meaningful ways.
Jonathan and Joshua are equally comfortable in brass bands, worship bands and jazz bands. I think this is good for them personally and good for the future of Army music.
Investing in musical development is an excellent investment for a Corps. We can enhance that investment by encouraging them to be in school music groups, even allowing them to use Corps instruments for such purposes. The more they play, the quicker they advance, and the stronger the skills will become. Unfortunately too many Corps overlook the value of the school programs and some even seem them as competition.
Quick follow up...
I snagged a Getzen Cornet last night on EBay for $127!
It is a student model...model 300, but it is great condition.
I am happy that everything is progressing well. In searching through our bandroom we found a banjo and accordian. I may play around with them a bit...just for fun of course!!!!
I would think that the ideal situation would be a "traditional" (i hate to use that term)brass band and a worship band.
It is a joy that the Central territory has released the Hallelujah Choruses and on some of them, there are jazzed up "traditional" (theres that term again) song book songs. I think sometimes all we need to do is add a rythmn section to a brass band, and we can reach a whole new generation. Its good stuff!
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