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Last updated: 13/04/2009
5th - Swing Sally
On Monday 5th April, a group of 14 bandsmen and women for once
put their instruments aside and used their vocal talents to accompany fellow
Salvationist Tommy Sampson (Dunfermline) and his Big Band, comprising
professional and semi-professional musicians, in a concert at Queen’s Park
Church of Scotland in Glasgow.
A crowd of over two hundred people enjoyed a varied programme containing
a large number of Christian and “Army” melodies arranged by 86-year old
Tommy in “big band” style along with a number of well-known secular tunes. A
highlight for 16-year old Bandsman Chris Shanks was to play the Euphonium Solo
“Bonnie Scotland”, a medley of traditional Scottish tunes arranged by Tommy,
accompanied by the Big Band.
A donation of £400 was made towards the Young People’s work at
Bellshill as a result of the Concert.
by Deputy
Bandmaster Melvyn Shanks
10th -
Easter Sunday Morning at Hamilton S.A.
Easter
Sunday morning 2004 began a bit differently for the band from last year... this
time last year the band were part way through their Easter tour of the
Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. This year the band was asked to provide music
for the Easter Sunday morning service at Hamilton Salvation Army.
Bellshill
band played hymn tunes and the lively arrangement of Let There Be Praise to set
the scene prior to the start of the service. The service was led by Commisioners
Israel and Eva Gaither where the Commisioner asked each person gathered to
remember the events of the very first Easter. He challenged the congregation to
stand in confirmation of their faith - many took up the challenge and friends
stood alongside them to offer their support in living the Christian life.
The
contributions during the service from the band of a Swedish Folk Song, which
features the hymn tune How Great Thou Art, and The Challenge Of The Cross added
greatly to the atmosphere and feeling of the meeting. As did the contributions
from the home songster brigade (Hamilton).
by Webmaster
Dorothy Neil
Bert Elliot
Transfers to the Band Reserves
After
many years of service as a Salvation Army Bandsman, Bert Elliot has decided to
"hang up" his trombone! On Sunday 25th April Bert was officially
transferred to the band reserve, being presented with his band reserve
certificate by Captain Gary Robb.
On behalf of the band, Bandmaster Ian Dickie
presented Bert with a memento of his time in the band, a framed photo taken for
the band's tour to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany in Easter 2003.
Bert
(pictured second from the right) with the other members of the trombone section
We asked Bert to tell us a bit about his time
as a bandsman which has spanned many years, so Bert provided us with the
following:-
My
banding commencing in 1933 when I learnt to play a tenor horn in the junior
band at Hamilton Salvation Army. Later I transferred to Hamilton senior band in
October 1941.
After
playing tenor horn for several years, I moved onto the trombone section to play G trombone
and remained there for 30 years before moving back onto
tenor horn and then back to the trombone section to play tenor trombone.
During
the Second World War, a band of about 18 boys and the older men within Hamilton corps,
were able to keep the band functioning. After the war ended the size of the band
increased substantially and soon saw us taking part not only in the services
at our own corps, but also participating regularly in radio broadcasts.
I travelled many miles with Hamilton band under the leadership of Bandmaster Coull and then Bandmaster
Jimmy Hamilton (for nearly 40 years), to take part in services all over the
British Isles.
While
attending Hamilton Salvation Army I found many opportunities to tell others
of my Christian beliefs and experiences, particularly through working with young people in the youth group,
Sunday school and boys' brigade.
After
serving God for 50 years as a bandsman in Hamilton band, my wife (who
had been a songster for 41 years at Hamilton) and I transferred to Bellshill
corps in 1991, where we began a new chapter in both our careers and our service for God.
At
Bellshill I was welcomed into the band where I have served for 12 years under
the leadership of 3 bandmasters Jim Crombie, Jackie Dickie and the current
bandmaster Ian Dickie. I've found these 12 years to be the busiest and most
enjoyable of my life. My particular highlights have been the many varied
engagements the band has taken part in; the times spent with Stephen Cobb and
Derick Kane of the International Staff Band; and the band's Easter campaign
in 2003 to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
by
Bert Elliot
As
you can tell, Bert has obviously enjoyed his many years of service as a
Salvation Army bandsman both at Hamilton and latterly at Bellshill. Although no
longer playing in the band, Bert continues to support the band as much as he
can, in all they do. So much for retiring, he's out with the band almost as much
as he was when he was playing! The band are grateful for the support and
encouragement Bert continues to give each of them.
Thank you Bert!
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