World's oldest Salvation Army band releases first album - hear it now (From The Northern Echo)

World's oldest Salvation Army band releases first album - hear it now

5:49pm Thursday 19th November 2009

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THE world’s oldest Salvation Army Corps Band is celebrating its 130th anniversary by releasing its debut album and performing a musical charting its colourful history.

Consett Salvation Army Band, which was formed in 1879, spent two days recording ‘First Through Faith’ at St Cuthbert’s Church, Durham, in February.

The CD includes such pieces as The Coventry Carol, Jesus Loves Me and I Know Thou Art Mine and it is hoped sales will boost church funds for its work in the community.

There is a narration from former corps officer Major John Jeeves who helps bring some of the band’s history to light in between the musical pieces.

Captain Mark Sellers, who plays bass trombone in the band and wrote some of the songs for the musical, said: “I’m extremely proud to be corps officer here at Consett and play in the band that can lay claim to being the oldest Salvation Army Corps Band in the world.

“The recording of the CD album was a fantastic experience.”

The release of the album precedes the performance of a musical, The Consettonian, which will feature corps members and present band members for a one-off show at The Empire Theatre in Consett on Saturday at 7pm.

The show charts the history of the band from its early days in industrial Victorian Britain when Consett relied on its mighty steel industry.

Bandmaster Jeff Baker said: “The steel industry has important links to the band’s history as band members would have practiced in the steel workers cottages after work.

“The standard would not have been terribly great in the early days either as many could not read the music properly and so found playing pieces difficult.

“But through their desire to minister through music everyone who took part tried their best and had a go.”

Local historian and director of the musical David Jackson, said rehearsals for the show are going well and hopes people will turn out to learn about the band’s history.

He said: “I thought we should write a musical and tell the band’s story. Not everyone knows that the world’s oldest Salvation Army Corps Band is here in Consett so we’d like to educate people as to their local history and have some fun at the same time.

“The musical will feature the story of the band being told through the eyes of former member Sam Carruthers, a colourful character in a colourful band you might say.

“But rather than give too much away people need to come and see the musical for themselves and find out more.”

Tickets for the musical, which will chart the history of the band, are now on sale for £6 from the theatre box office on 01207-218171.

The CD, priced £13.95, can be bought by contacting Captain Mark Sellers on 01207-504795 or by emailing consett@salvationarmy.eclipse.co.uk

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