The Melbourne Staff Band (MSB) is the premier

brass band A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting primarily of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands (particularl ...

of the

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History

From its beginnings in

Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...

the

spread rapidly and soon reached

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India * Victoria (state), a state of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, a provincial capital * Victoria, Seychelles, the capi ...

where the first corps in the state was opened in December 1882 at North Melbourne. By 1890, just 10 years after the first meeting in Adelaide, there were 255 corps and 419 outposts throughout Australia, manned by 747 officers, mostly "home-grown". As new corps (churches) were opened, bands appeared and proliferated. They not only attracted people to listen to the gospel but also helped to raise funds for the rapidly expanding spiritual and social work of the Army. At that time there was not much entertainment, and music whether good, bad or indifferent soon attracted a crowd. Early in 1890 it was felt that headquarters in

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

should benefit from the services of a band and a small group of officers and employees was brought together under the leadership of Staff Officer Jeremiah Eunson to assist in meetings conducted by Army leaders and to campaign in the area. The War Cry (Salvation Army Newspaper) of 22 February 1890 reported: ''The headquarters band is now an established institution. It is in the charge of Bandmaster Eunson and consists of the following: Major Barritt (Field Secretary), Staff Captain Leigh (Secretary for Trade), Staff Captain Fisher (accountants department), Adjutant Clarkson (trade department), Adjutant Pestell (correspondence), Ensign Stephens (The War Cry), Captain Hungerford (accountants department), Lieutenant Clark (trade department), Comrade Little (engraving), Scribes Sandall and Saunders (Field Secretary's department) and Willie, the messenger.'' The musical ability of the group was undoubtedly suspect, none of the players being accomplished or experienced, and in fact some of them were strangers to the mysteries of brass instruments. It is unlikely that their efforts would have gained commendation from musicians, but this was the infant group which grew to maturity and became the Melbourne Staff band.

Tours

Melbourne Staff Band have undertaken many tours since its conception. The Band's first interstate visit was to

to coincide with the third visit of General

William Booth William Booth (10 April 1829 – 20 August 1912) was an English Methodist preacher who, along with his wife, Catherine, founded the Salvation Army and became its first General (1878–1912). This Christian movement, founded in 1865, has a qu ...

to Australia in 1899. The band travelled to Adelaide by boat. It was reported that "the spirited playing, perfect harmony and brilliant execution of the music are the talk and admiration of the city, and everywhere they have gone the lads have won golden opinions for themselves. The fact that they paid their own fares has also been favourably commented on." The first overseas trip that the Band made was a 16-day trip to

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in 1959. Since then the Band has toured

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, the

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, and

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The band

All the bandsmen and women are members of The

and are actively involved in their local Salvation Army Corps, many holding leadership positions within those Corps. The Band is currently under the baton of Bandmaster Mark Hamilton.

External links

* {{official, www.salvationarmy.org.au/msb/
Maidenhead Citadel Band

The Salvation Army

International Staff Band of The Salvation Army
Victoria (state) musical groups Salvation Army brass bands Australian brass bands Salvationism in Australia

History

Tours

The band

See also

External links