Salvation Army

9th/10th - Band Weekend Visit to Belfast Citadel for Belfast Band 124th Anniversary

B/M John Moore (Belfast Citadel) and B/M Ian Dickie (Bellshill)

(Click on above picture of bandmaster to go directly to their report)

Report of weekend by B/M John Moore

On Saturday afternoon when the white coach rolled to the exit gate at the docks with a big ‘Salvation Army’ sign on the front, we knew our planning and prayers were about to come to fruition. Following a bite to eat, it was with great pleasure that we were able to march into the city centre following the flags of both bands.

We had the significant honour of actually marching right into the grounds of the City Hall, where we were met by the High Sheriff of Belfast, Councillor Ruth Patterson.  After playing both within the grounds of the hall and beneath the rotunda of the building, Councillor Patterson gave us a guided tour of the building and presented Bandmaster Ian Dickie of Bellshill with a plaque of the coat of arms of Belfast.

Even though the band had only been with us for a few hours, it was evident that the members wanted to share their love of God with us in a special way.  We were all greatly encouraged by the Bandsmen and women’s willingness to help, listen and talk with us and even with one another. The closeness within the band was displayed as people from differing generations were at ease together.

At the festival at Cooke Centenary Church it was good to see previous bandsmen and others from local corps joining with us to enjoy the music.  Following an opening march the prayer time was introduced with the melody from the New Zealand folk song “Hine E Hine”. This demonstrated the breadth of sound and dynamic capabilities of the players.  Yvonne Ferguson, Lynn Shanks and even the Corp Officer, Captain Gary Robb, featured as soloists.  We also enjoyed the trombone ensemble “Peter, James and John”, the vocal soloists Olwyn Mathie and Gemma Gunn and an enthusiastic item from the timbrels. What a joy to see so many women in the band! It was evident that a lot of hard work had gone into the preparation for this weekend and in particular, the use of power point to help explain some of the music to the congregation.  During the finale both corps flags were marched to the front of the Church as the band played the refrain “We’ll keep the old flag flying” from the festival march ‘Celebration’.

Many of the corps members assisted with billeting the band members and I am sure, like me, found it a privilege to have other Salvationists in the home, and to be able to share and build on our own experiences. 

The Sunday started with an open prayer meeting led by the band sergeant  and again it was a welcome time to reflect and take in what God was wanted to tell those who were gathered there.  Sunday meetings were led by Captain Robb and his continuity between the items was appreciated as was his message.

He was also able to publicly give thanks for the service of 3 Belfast Citadel Bandsmen and transfer Rodney Archer, Jackie Hewitt and Wesley Watson onto the band reserve (see picture above).

On the Sunday afternoon we listened to a wide range of music, from the modern foot tapping “Fanfare, Hymn and Thanksgiving” to the army classic “King of Kings”.  Again the power point was extremely welcome.  Further soloists were featured in this programme. Sarah Allen, Yvonne Ferguson and the vocal soloists Gemma Gunn and Jim Pentney added a special touch to the afternoon.  We were also treated to a cornet duet by Melvyn Shanks and Joanne Pentney and a vocal quartet “Written in Red” from  Olwyn Mathie, Gemma Gunn, Jim Pentney and Alex Burrow.  Following this meeting both bands joined together and played some marches outside the front door of the Citadel. 

The Sunday evening meeting included the meditation “The Light of the World” and again a useful power point display helped explain some of the meaning behind the Dean Goffin masterpiece.  During this meeting the Citadel Band was presented with a framed photograph of the Bellshill Band.

During the wind up we heard some further music including ‘Allegro’ from the Music to the Royal Fireworks as well as a few special requests which had been featured earlier in the weekend.  Both bands also joined together to play the march ‘Cairo Red Shield’.

On behalf of the Belfast Citadel Band locals I want to say thanks to all in our corps and others who have helped in anyway to make this band weekend such a success and of course, I want to thank my friends in Bellshill for making the effort to come across the water and for making this weekend a real inspiration to us all.

Report of weekend by B/M Ian Dickie

The weekend started early when the band arrived at Bellshill Hall at 6.00 a.m. to load the bus.  After wiping the sleep from our eyes, we travelled for 2 hours to Stranraer Ferry Terminal.  We had a quick cup of tea and then boarded the Stena Line Ferry at 10.00.   We then had breakfast and the usual banter started.  The young team went to Burger King on the ferry and then some of them were seen on the “dance machine” (too energetic for the older ones at 10.30 on a Saturday morning).

We arrived at Belfast at 12.00 and were met by Salvationist Friends from Belfast Citadel. We then were taken for a lovely lunch at the Wellington Park Hotel. We had a couple of group pictures taken, prior to us arriving at the hall.  We then unloaded the coach and got ready for our March of Witness through Belfast Town Centre. The march started at 3.00 and some of the Belfast band joined the Bellshill band. As we marched along the streets, some Belfast Salvationists were giving out leaflets and “Army Papers”. This proved to be a good idea as people came along to hear the Saturday Night Festival in the Cooke Centenary Church.

We had the privilege of marching through the gates at the City Halls playing Army music.  We then played a short programme in the grounds of the City Halls and many people stopped to listen to the band. The band then met the High Sheriff Councillor Ruth Patterson and she welcomed us to Belfast. We then had a wonderful opportunity of playing in the rotunda of the City Halls, when the sound of Mozart’s Ave Verum echoed for a few seconds after the band stopped. We then had a civic reception and had a look through this beautiful building. The band was presented with a coat of arms plaque from the Councillor which will be displayed in our band room.

A quick walk back to the hall, and a quick freshen up was next.  At 6.00 we left for the Cooke Centenary Church where we started to prepare for the Saturday Festival. The evening started with our signature march “Emblem of the Army and was followed by the Maori Folk Tune Hine e Hine. (The Programmes for the weekend can we viewed by clicking on this link). It was good to see folks from other Corps supporting this event.  We met up with some old friends, and also made many new ones that evening. The highlight of the night for me was the playing of “The Call of the Righteous”. The programme finished with both band flags being paraded during the march “Celebration”.

We loaded the bus and returned to the hall and met our billets. This has been a very long day, but one that has left lasting memories with many of the band. I am staying with Alex Burrows and Donald Perry so therefore we are still talking at 1.45, but I have to blame B/M John Moore and his wife Jayne for talking so much!!!!!!

The culprits:- Alex Burrows, Donald Perry and Jayne Moore

Sunday morning arrives and we are found sitting in a wonderful devotional period arranged by Dorothy Neil (Bellshill). This set the scene for a great day of fellowship together. The fellowship between the Bellshill and Belfast people was electric. Captain Gary Robb led the morning meeting. The meeting was enhanced by the singing of the Belfast Songsters and Singing Company.  We had to cancel an open-air at the Europa Hotel due to time restraints. We all went back to our billets and were fed very well.

Our Sunday afternoon meeting was chaired by Gary and myself and once again the band played really well, and thanks go to all the soloists for their efforts. The use of multi-media has become like an extra person in the band. We have some talented people in the band who have prepared PowerPoint presentations especially for this weekend. The impact has been wonderful.  I lost count of the number of people who were challenged and blessed by listening to the band and also being able to follow the graphics on the screen. Thanks to Donald and Gary for all their hard work. I would also like to say how proud I was that 12 ladies from the band played as a timbrel group during the weekend, under the leadership of  Lesley Ann Ferguson. They were fantastic.

I know that God had gone before us again this weekend, by the atmosphere during and after our meetings. We then had a quick bit to eat before both bands joined together to play several marches outside the hall. This also attracted people to the evening meeting.

It’s hard to believe but we are now at our final meeting of the weekend. It is also good to hear people testify that the playing and presence of the band has helped them commit more to the army. The band once again played my favourite piece “The Light of the World” and once again I was moved by the delicate playing. A short wind-up followed the evening meeting which finished with some Scottish Music by the band. Another cup if tea and then we loaded the bus for our departure back to Scotland. We arrive back at Bellshill Corps around 2.30am and once we unloaded the bus, set off home.

This has been a great weekend. We have played well, we have mixed well and we have all been blessed by the Holy Spirit. I am sure that the Belfast Citadel Corps enjoyed our music and fellowship, and once again the Bellshill Band lives up to it’s motto “pro causa optima”, which means “for the right reason”.

For more pictures from the weekend please go to the 2004 Photo Gallery for October.

30th - Music Ministries Weekend

Bandmaster Ian Dickie was Guest Conductor at the Music Ministries Weekend at Cumbernauld.  

Massed bands from Airdrie, Cumbernauld, Motherwell and Paisley combined for the evening of music making. The picture above shows the massed bands with the Bellshill bandmaster.

Congratulations Melvyn Shanks

Congratulations to Deputy Bandmaster Melvyn Shanks on gaining a Postgraduate Diploma in School Leadership and Management (also referred to as the Scottish Qualification for Headship). Well done!