Brass band sound fills the town
THE world-famous International Staff Band of The Salvation Army makes a visit to Southport this weekend.
The band is comprised of Christian musicians who travel the world in order to spread the Christian message.
On Saturday the band will be appearing at the Floral Hall to present a joint festival of brass music with a huge difference.
On this occasion the band will be joined by young brass instrumentalists drawn from both the local Salvation Army as well as budding brass musicians attending primary schools throughout Southport.
This joint performance is designed to give these young musicians an opportunity to play with an internationally famous band in the spectacular Floral Hall.
Jointly organised by The Salvation Army in Southport and the Sefton Schools Music Services to launch their new music partnership, some 70 youngsters have already taken part in preliminary rehearsals to ensure that this concert is a success and that they will each gain the thrilling experience of playing with this top performing band.
The young musicians will be presenting a mini-concert at 6.15pm prior to the main concert at 7pm where they will perform some items alongside the members of the International Staff Band.
It is anticipated that many of their parents and relatives, together with brass band enthusiasts, will form a supportive and enthusiastic audience.
Tickets for this event priced £6-10 (under 16s half price) and can only be obtained from The Salvation Army in Shakespeare Street Tel. 01704 547805.
On Sunday, April 23 the International Staff Band will be conducting the morning service at The Salvation Army, 65 Shakespeare Street, Southport PR8 5AJ, commencing at 10.30am.
They will be back again at the Shakespeare Street venue at 3.30pm in the afternoon to present a further programme of music before returning to London.
For more information please contact The Salvation Army centre.
The roots of the Salvation Army Band date back to 1878, when Salvationists in Salisbury were facing opposition in the streets, Charles Fry a local Methodist preacher and his three sons brought their brass instruments to help in the open-air meetings.
After the success of the Fry family, Salvation Army bands were encouraged and sprung up quickly across the country. By 1883 there were 400 British Salvation Army bands.