It is quite appropriate that a Salvation Army Band should make its first public appearance on Easter Sunday Morning and we at Leeds West Hunslet are proud of the fact that we did just that, on Easter Sunday in the year 1895.

 

Very little is on record as to how many playing members there were in Leeds VIII Band, as it was then known, or even as to who the leader was.

 

In 1902, Charles Ring became the first Commissioned Bandmaster. Under his leadership, the small group of men grew quickly in numbers and by the start of the 1914-18 War, the band numbered about thirty players and proudly boasted a fine set of instruments.

 

The Band went from strength to strength and by 1924, 40 men were playing. James Wadman and then three more Bandmasters served before Fred Ring took on the responsibility in 1929. Bandmaster Ring's expert leadership maintained a high standard of playing, deportment and Christian Witness until 1948, when due to employment taking him away from the area, he had to relinquish his position.

 

During the next 25 years the Band was to have five leaders, longest serving of these Bandmasters being Herbert Wadman (1952-62). All these leaders worked hard to maintain the standards of musicianship and deportment which had been set in the past.

 

November 1973 saw the Band under the direction of Laurence Moorby, and this was a commencement of a long and settled period during which Bandmaster Moorby has worked hard to keep, and where possible improve on, standards and musicianship and of Christian Witness.

 

As well as weekend campaigns nationwide and overseas trips, the Band has featured on local radio and television and has produced cassette tape recordings.

 

In November 2000, Bandmaster Moorby officially retired but even at the time of writing (2012) still enjoys sharing the responsibility of leadership with his Deputy Bandmaster Chris Newing, a former member of the International Staff Band, who moved to Leeds from Bexleyheath in 1982.

 

The present ensemble owes its very existence to the leaders of the past, and such has been the influence of those leaders, that Bandsmen who have served within the Band are seen the world over, still maintaining the traditions expected of the Band.

 

Over recent years, the Band has taken the motto "The Band with a Message". Our message is embodied in our Mission Statement, and although we will always strive towards excellence in music making, our first main objective will always be to awaken an awareness of the Christian Gospel, and to assist in the winning of souls for Christ's Kingdom.