Many people have encountered The Salvation Army through hearing one of its bands. They have been part of the Army's worship and outreach to the public for 125 years. Perhaps you have heard one playing Christmas carols? (and have been generous enough to put some money in one of the collectors' boxes!) The bands actually do a lot more than this, and the band at The Salvation Army in Upper Norwood is no exception.

The Upper Norwood Corps is proud of both the history and, perhaps more importantly, the current service of our band. In addition to supporting Sunday worship - where we feature suitable music during the meeting as well as accompanying most congregational songs - we are busy with the normal round of carolling, remembrance day services, and occasional musical programmes.

Those who play in Salvation Army bands are usually 'soldiers' (unpaid voluntary members) of The Salvation Army. The band at Upper Norwood also has a number of 'officers' (salaried full time ministers within The Salvation Army), who work at one of The Salvation Army's headquarters or other centres in London. When not playing with the band, members have a wide variety of backgrounds - the civil service, finance, IT, students, teaching, facilities management, personnel, as well as a number who have retired from work.

Upper Norwood Band has functioned continuously since it was formed in 1889. Many renowned players and conductors have passed through our ranks: cornet virtuosi like Tom Giles, Norman Tolliday, Terry Camsey and Wes Warren. The dean of euphonium players: Josh Walford. Expert soprano cornet practitioners: Herbert Coppin and Ron Harrison. Bandmasters of the Upper Norwood Band have included Bernard Adams, Norman Tolliday, Leslie Condon, George Whittingham, Anthony Leggett, and Roy Terry. Eric Ball was the band's trainer in the late 1930s.

Our bandmaster, since appointed in 2004 has been Lieut. Colonel Michael Williams. A member of the band since 1979, Mike is a product of the Bristol Easton Corps, and was, for 10 years, a member of the International Staff Band, being the ISB's Secretary for a time. During his time with the 'ISB', Mike made numerous LPs, CDs, and undertook a number of overseas tours. His current appointment as a Salvation Army officer is to the SA's UK Territorial Headquarters in London, where he is Director of Missing Persons.

To make contact with the Band, just email John_Clarke@mail.com