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FROM the earliest days Salvationists held meetings in streets so that their message would reach those who would be unlikely to go to church. Sometimes people shouted abuse to drown the speaker's voice, so Salvationists used music to carry the gospel message in a more effective way.
In 1878, in Salisbury, Charles Fry and his three sons formed a brass quartet which proved to be useful, not only in dealing with the noise of the hecklers, but also providing a great attraction to Salvation Army meetings.
At first their music was purely functional. No music was allowed which was not plainly designed to convey the Christian gospel message to those who had not heard it before. William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army, was at first reluctant to use secular music. But after some persuasion he realised the value of using melodies with which the people were familiar. He is reputed to have said, 'Why should the devil have all best tunes?' Soon music-hall and other popular tunes were being used in Army meetings with new words. For example, 'Champagne Charlie is my name' became 'Bless his name he sets me free' and 'Way down upon the Swanee River' became 'Joy, freedom, peace and ceaseless blessing'. As musicians became more skilled, there developed a great variety of devotional music to help Salvationists in their worship.
In 1898 the first songster brigade (choir) was formed in Penge, South London, and soon such brigades began to spring up all over the country. A large number of Salvation Army corps (churches)in the UK have both a band and a songster brigade whose primary aim is to convey the Christian message through music. All members of these Army musical groups are committed Christians and uniformed members of The Salvation Army.
British Salvationists are usually encouraged from an early age in their music-making. Young people are active in singing companies (junior choirs), young people's bands and timbrel (tambourine) groups. Many also attend Salvation Army music schools held during the summer, when they aim to develop their musical skills and where they are made more aware of their personal relationship with God.
In the 1960s, stage musicals were introduced into The Salvation Army and these, together with the use of drama, have continued to develop. Contemporary music groups have also been widely evident, always attempting to reflect the styles and idioms of successive generations. Style and presentation of band and songster music continues to keep pace with changing trends in worship.
The aim is still that all music used might be relevant to those who hear, and help them to understand the Christian message in an intelligent way.
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