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The Salvation Army has its own brass band that performs at various gatherings and supports volunteers. Our activities aim to worship and evangelize Christianity, promote awareness of the Salvation Army's work, and the profits generated from these activities are used to fund various programs. The Salvation Army uses the brass band much like a pipe organ in worship services and other gatherings. It is often referred to as the "Walking Pipe Organ," and is also known as a "British-style brass band" to distinguish it from other brass bands.
The Origin of the Salvation Army Brass Band
Following the Industrial Revolution in Britain, workers, including coal miners, sought leisure activities. Brass bands became popular, and this trend coincided with the Salvation Army's work, leading to a relationship between the two.
Records show how the brass band was adopted by the Salvation Army. In the early days, the Salvation Army's roadside missions were often disrupted by mobs. Charles Fry, who worked in construction, and four family members, brought brass instruments to a roadside evangelism event and played hymns. The ensemble, consisting of two cornets, a euphonium, and a valve trombone, resonated beautifully on the street corner, calming people's hearts and making a significant impact. This event is considered a crucial turning point in the Salvation Army's early history and is believed to have led to the subsequent development of the Salvation Army brass band.
The Salvation Army’s Brass Band Activities
With few exceptions, Salvation Army brass bands primarily belong to Salvation Army corps (churches), where appointed band members perform worship, evangelism, and other services as a Christian ministry. There are 11 brass bands worldwide called "Staff Bands," operated by their respective Territorial Headquarters. We also contribute to the Salvation Army's role in the local community through concerts, visits to social welfare facilities and hospitals, and participation in local events.
Regulations generally prevent Salvation Army brass bands from participating in championship competitions like the British Open. This falls outside the scope of the Salvation Army and its bands. Our policy is not to participate in such events in the brass band world, but we maintain a positive influence through musical collaborations and the composition of new works.
Regarding composition, there are many accomplished Salvation Army composers, including Eric Ball, Erik Leidzén, Dean Goffin, and Wilfred Heaton. More recent composers include Peter Graham, Kenneth Downie, William Himes, James Curnow, and many others who have produced outstanding works both within the Salvation Army and in the broader musical world.
In recent years, there have been changes, and at special concerts (such as at the Royal Albert Hall) held in connection with championship finals, top championship bands and Salvation Army bands (including international staff bands) have performed together.
As of January 2018, approximately 28,422 members of Salvation Army brass bands around the world perform for Christian worship and evangelism. Most brass bands in the Japanese Salvation Army, aside from the JSB, belong to Corps (church) or Divisions (parish). Corps bands or Division bands are organized in Kanda, Kyobashi, Suginami, Kiyose, and Shibuya Corps in Tokyo, Takasaki Corps in the Kanto region, Engaru Corps in Hokkaido, the West Japan Division (Osaka), and brass band activities are carried out at social welfare facilities.
Reference:
*Brass Band of the 20th Century (EGON Publication)
＊British Style Brass Band Links （Website）
Japan Staff Band of the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Japan Staff Band (JSB) is a brass band belonging to the Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters in Japan. The band has performed on various occasions since the Gentougakutai (Magic Lantern Orchestra), which was formed in 1902, for the glory of God and the salvation of people. Notably, in 2011, JSB participated in the 120th Anniversary of the International Staff Band at UK Headquarters in London, along with seven staff bands from the Salvation Army worldwide, playing in a mass at the Royal Albert Hall. JSB has an excellent record of achievements, including receiving the "6th Japan Academy Prize Special Category Award" from the Japan Brass Band Association in March 1996.
The members of the Japan Staff Band are Salvation Army soldiers (formally Christians who belong to the Salvation Army) belonging to Corps in and around Tokyo. Some members work at the Salvation Army headquarters and the Salvation Army's social welfare facilities, while others have general professions. All are appointed as "staff band members."
The Salvation Army's musical resources, including band members, musical instruments, and sheet music, are dedicated to God's glory. Therefore, JSB members are not personally compensated for their performances or related work. This position reflects an "amateur spirit." However, the Japan Staff Band maintains high standards of morale, purity of purpose, and dedication, exceeding that of typical amateur groups.
History of Performance by the Japanese Salvation Army
While not directly linked to the current Salvation Army Japan Staff Band, the first brass instrument performance by the Japanese Salvation Army was on September 22, 1895, at the first Salvation Army rally in Japan. A contemporary newspaper article mentions, "A trumpet called a cornet is used, and it is cheerful, brave, and interesting..." This indicates that brass instruments were used for Christian missions around this time. (Reference: Keizo Horiuchi, "Fifty Years of Music")
The Japanese Salvation Army headquarters brass band is currently known as the Japan Staff Band, but throughout history, it has been called the “Territorial Headquarters Band”, etc. In 1975, it reverted to the name "Staff Band," which was the original English name. Currently, it is officially called the "Japan Staff Band".
For inquiries about JSB, please contact here
The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters, Music Department
(Open-hour: 9:00〜16:30)
Except Weekend, Holiday and
Christian Holiday
The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters,
Music Department
2-17 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051
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