Salvation Army Brass Music
A History
In 1878, the year that "General" William Booth renamed and restructured his Christian Mission into The Salvation Army, he began to exploit the popular brass band music of that day as a front line weapon in the Army's battle against sin and want. By 1884 the Salvation Army had commenced publishing a regular Brass Band Journal for its international fellowship of bands. At that time there were more than 500 church centers in the United Kingdom alone with at least 400 of them having some form of brass band. From 1884 to 1901, Salvation Army band music had to be based on a vocal model, whether an existing hymn tune, gospel song, or a transcription of Salvation Army vocal music in order to assure the communication of a spiritual message. In 1901, General Booth agreed to permit the sue of band music for which no words had been composed or intended, though each piece still needed to have some quotation from a song or hymn to insure that it was first and foremost "music with a message."
An impressive sacred literature gradually emerged and now stands as a remarkable achievement in sacred instrumental music, unmatched by any other Christian denomination. This repertoire may be divided into two types or functions: music for "ordinary" use such as outdoor evangelism and indoor worship services and music for "Festival" or sacred concert use. Salvation Army bands regularly rehearse both types of music and many hold regular concerts for the general public, even today. There is a dynamic dichotomy in the repertoire. On the one hand, Salvation Army Bands have always sought to proclaim a clear and simple gospel message through direct playing of accessible songs, marches, and hymns. On the other hand, the Salvation Army has developed a highly sophisticated, symphonically conceived concert repertoire designed to challenge the experienced listener on multiple levels.