Parramatta Salvation Army
Encyclopedia
The Salvation Army, Parramatta (abbreviated to PSA) is a Salvation Army
Corps located in the CBD
of Parramatta, New South Wales
, Australia
. It is one of the oldest active Salvation Army Corps in Australia. It is the largest of its kind within the Greater-West Division. Situated in the western suburbs of Sydney it has survived two World Wars, an arson attack, and countless other disasters, it has been led by some of the most prominent Australian Salvation Army officers of the modern era, it has held onto the traditional Salvation Army image by maintaining a Brass Band
and Timbrel
Brigade since its inception, and, most importantly, its soldiers have ministered to the people of Parramatta and the surrounding regions for over 120 years.
The Corps grew rapidly which allowed for the first Citadel to be built in 1919.
The current building was erected in 1969.
Band
with a membership of approximately 30-35 people. The band is the largest Salvation Army brass band in Sydney
and is also one of the youngest by average age. It has existed uninterrupted for close to a century
. Active within the corps and community alike, PCB has become a feature of the Parramatta area.
s. The motto of the Band is derived from psalm 150: "Praise Him with Melody." The band also provides accompaniment for worship during Sunday church services (referred to in Salvation Army circles as "meetings").
and features "around town" playing Christmas carol
s from mid-November to December 25 of each year.
and Hamilton (in Newcastle
). In June 2007, they made a trip to Forbes
, and in August travelled to Gosford
.
s’ have been a long-standing fixture of the Parramatta Corps. Songsters are a four part choral group that aim to bring the message of Jesus Christ to those that don't know him and also bless the congregation each Sunday through song.
The group toured Asia in June 2001 and Perth
in 2006, as well as other New South Wales regional centres such as Tamworth
and Dubbo. The group also sings within the community at Christmas time, sharing carols and Christmas songs in shopping centres and carol services.
Through a program of modern, relevant music, evangelistic concerts, prayer and caring community, the Parramatta Songsters have become one of the premier Salvation Army choirs in Australia, boasting a wide range of generations within their healthy membership.
As well as providing musical support for the Sunday church services at Parramatta Corps, the Songsters are active with a busy concert schedule and have just finished their first CD record
, released with an album launch concert on the 1st June 2008
The songsters are supported by a small ensemble of fine musicians on instruments including piano
, bass guitar
, and drums
, and led by Songster Leader Nicola Poore, assisted by Deputy Songster Leader Elwyn Humbley.
The Parramatta YP (Young Peoples) Band is a brass band
and was formed in 1944, its main objective is to provide a medium in which young people can worship God (through the playing of brass instrument
s) and also partake in fellowship with other like-minded young men and women. The band is made up of young people ranging from ages 7 to 23 and has experienced varying levels of membership over the years. In previous years up to 35 players were regularly involved, but currently there are more like 12-14. It currently consists of:
The Parramatta YP Band has toured all around New South Wales, this usually consists of a Saturday night concert, followed by a worship service at the local Salvation Army Corps on the Sunday morning. The men that have led the YP Band over the years have been some of the finest musicians in the state and include the likes of Bandmasters (B.M(s)) Ray Entwistle, Ian Roberts, David Godkin, and Rodney Everett.
The current YP Bandleader
is Mark Roberts. He has been in this role since October 2005.
Parramatta Corps provides groups for both children and adolescents. These groups are often led by Soldiers of the Corps and include:
The program consists of a weekly teaching time and an award scheme. The award work allows the Junior Soldiers to complete tasks that help them to understand how they can daily live out their Christian faith. Every Corps is compelled to have someone to oversee this program, this person is formally known as the Junior Soldier Sergeant.
The Current Junior Soldier Sergeant is James Lloyd, he has been in this position since early 2005.
box socials and disco
's. Also, an annual weekend called "House Party" gives the youth two days away together in which they share in worship, activities and many late nights.
of teaching material with a balance of Bible
teaching, faith
issues and Salvation Army doctrine, principles
and practices focusing on issues teenagers have today.
It is hoped that after four years, the young person has touched every Salvation Army doctrine, various ethics issues and a range of Bible teaching from Genesis through to the Revelation
. Some Army history is presented as well.
Many decide to become enrolled as Corps Cadets as a sign of their commitment to service through the Army (seen by many as the final step before becoming a Soldier). But regardless of whether the youth decide to be enrolled, they are still permitted to partake in all Corps Cadet activities.
. (This team also notoriously received a 'lifetime ban' from participating in Church competition in the mid-1990s. In a game against a team from Lidcombe Catholic Church a player, in an unprovoked attack assaulted one of our players causing serious facial injuries. Both police and ambulance were called. As a result both the Lidcombe team and the player were banned for life. Successful Police prosecution against the player in question resulted in guilty charges of 'causing grievous bodily harm". The players from the Salvation Army chose not to play in the following years.
Some 10 years later (in 2006) the ban was unprecedentedly lifted.) They currently field both a first and reserve grade side. This new generation of players saw Daniel Evans take over as "Club President" and Mark Roberts step in as "Club Secretary".
which, among other things, said:
"May you prepare diligently, play hard but fair, being generous in victory and gracious in defeat. May you devote equal application, skill and flair to your witness and evangelism through sport. May your friendships and contacts prove to be bridges for others into faith in Jesus Christ."
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
Corps located in the CBD
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Parramatta, New South Wales
Parramatta, New South Wales
Parramatta is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located in Greater Western Sydney west of the Sydney central business district on the banks of the Parramatta River. Parramatta is the administrative seat of the Local Government Area of the City of Parramatta...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is one of the oldest active Salvation Army Corps in Australia. It is the largest of its kind within the Greater-West Division. Situated in the western suburbs of Sydney it has survived two World Wars, an arson attack, and countless other disasters, it has been led by some of the most prominent Australian Salvation Army officers of the modern era, it has held onto the traditional Salvation Army image by maintaining a Brass Band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely 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 , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
and Timbrel
Timbrel
Timbrel or tabret , the principal musical instrument of percussion of the Israelites, similar to the modern tambourine.-History:...
Brigade since its inception, and, most importantly, its soldiers have ministered to the people of Parramatta and the surrounding regions for over 120 years.
History
The Salvation Army first came to Australia in 1880, Parramatta Corps opened four years later in 1884. The first leaders of the Corps were quite young by comparison to what was later regarded an appropriate age to command a Corps. They were also all men, John Dean, George Walker and Matthew Thompson made a name for the movement through meetings held at the local Masonic Hall. Within the first two months Matthew Thompson was viciously attacked and killed, though no charges were laid.The Corps grew rapidly which allowed for the first Citadel to be built in 1919.
The current building was erected in 1969.
P.E.E.C
Parramatta Easy English Congregation (or P.E.E.C) refers to a group of people that attend a 9.30am meeting at Parramatta Citadel on a Sunday. This worship service is aimed for people who use English as a second language. It is usually followed by a morning tea.Brass Band
Parramatta Citadel Band (PCB), part of Parramatta Salvation Army, is a typical Salvation ArmySalvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
Band
Salvation Army Band
A Salvation Army brass band is a brass band affiliated with a Corps, Division or Territory of the Salvation Army. In society, a Salvation Army band playing in public places during Christian events in the calendar such as Christmas has become a part of seasonal customs particularly in the...
with a membership of approximately 30-35 people. The band is the largest Salvation Army brass band in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and is also one of the youngest by average age. It has existed uninterrupted for close to a century
Century
A century is one hundred consecutive years. Centuries are numbered ordinally in English and many other languages .-Start and end in the Gregorian Calendar:...
. Active within the corps and community alike, PCB has become a feature of the Parramatta area.
Purpose
The bands purpose is to minister the word of God to the people of Parramatta and its surrounding area's through the use of music found in the Salvation Army Brass Band Tune Books, they also commonly use arranged music of both secular and Christian origin for open-airs and concertConcert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s. The motto of the Band is derived from psalm 150: "Praise Him with Melody." The band also provides accompaniment for worship during Sunday church services (referred to in Salvation Army circles as "meetings").
The Band
PCB is currently under the leadership of Graham Ainsworth. It is considered a large brass band (as far as Corps bands go) and currently consists of the following:- 10 or more cornets
- 1 Eb sopranoSopranoA soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
cornet - 1 flugel horn
- 4 tenor horns
- 4 BaritonesBaritone hornThe baritone horn is a member of the brass instrument family. The baritone horn has a predominantly cylindrical bore as do the trumpet and trombone. A baritone horn uses a large mouthpiece much like those of a trombone or euphonium, although it is a bit smaller. Some baritone mouthpieces will sink...
- 6 trombones
- 1 bass trombone
- 2 euphoniumEuphoniumThe euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
s - 3 or 4 EEb and BBb bassesTubasTubas or Toubas is a small Palestinian city in the northeastern West Bank, located northeast of Nablus, a few kilometers west of the Jordan River. A city of over 16,000 inhabitants, it serves as the economic and administrative center of the Tubas Governorate. Its urban area consists of 2,271 dunams...
- percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
- normally drum kitDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
or timpaniTimpaniTimpani, or kettledrums, are musical instruments in the percussion family. A type of drum, they consist of a skin called a head stretched over a large bowl traditionally made of copper. They are played by striking the head with a specialized drum stick called a timpani stick or timpani mallet...
In The Community
The band has been part of Parramatta Corps for some time and is beloved by both Salvationists and Non-Salvationists alike. PCB is a common feature at the annual dawn service on ANZAC DayANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
and features "around town" playing Christmas carol
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
s from mid-November to December 25 of each year.
Tours
PCB has been on overseas tours but their last one was some time ago. It is also common for them to attend other Salvation Army Corps on "band trips", the most recent being to Dubbo, PerthPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
and Hamilton (in Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
). In June 2007, they made a trip to Forbes
Forbes Shire Council
Forbes Shire is a Local Government Area in the Central West of New South Wales, Australia. In addition to Forbes, it includes Bedgerebong, Bundbarrah, Corradgery, Daroobalgie, Eugowra, Ooma North and Paytens Bridge.- Council :...
, and in August travelled to Gosford
Gosford, New South Wales
Gosford is a city located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, approximately 76 km north of the Sydney central business district...
.
Membership
For some time, to be able to join the band, it was necessary to be enrolled as a Soldier of The Salvation Army. This rule, however, has been relaxed in recent years, but under the pretence that the individual is looking to be enrolled at some point in the immediate future. Many people were wary of allowing this to occur, but having seen the impact joining the band has on younger players, soon warmed to it.Songsters
The ‘SongsterSongster
The term "songster" is most often used to denote a wandering musician, usually but not always African American, of the type which first appeared in the late 19th century in the southern United States...
s’ have been a long-standing fixture of the Parramatta Corps. Songsters are a four part choral group that aim to bring the message of Jesus Christ to those that don't know him and also bless the congregation each Sunday through song.
The group toured Asia in June 2001 and Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in 2006, as well as other New South Wales regional centres such as Tamworth
Tamworth, New South Wales
Tamworth is a city in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Peel River, Tamworth, which contains an estimated population of 47,595 people, is the major regional centre for southern New England and in the local government area of Tamworth Regional Council. The city...
and Dubbo. The group also sings within the community at Christmas time, sharing carols and Christmas songs in shopping centres and carol services.
Through a program of modern, relevant music, evangelistic concerts, prayer and caring community, the Parramatta Songsters have become one of the premier Salvation Army choirs in Australia, boasting a wide range of generations within their healthy membership.
As well as providing musical support for the Sunday church services at Parramatta Corps, the Songsters are active with a busy concert schedule and have just finished their first CD record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, released with an album launch concert on the 1st June 2008
The songsters are supported by a small ensemble of fine musicians on instruments including piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, and drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, and led by Songster Leader Nicola Poore, assisted by Deputy Songster Leader Elwyn Humbley.
YP Band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely 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 , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
and was formed in 1944, its main objective is to provide a medium in which young people can worship God (through the playing of brass instrument
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
s) and also partake in fellowship with other like-minded young men and women. The band is made up of young people ranging from ages 7 to 23 and has experienced varying levels of membership over the years. In previous years up to 35 players were regularly involved, but currently there are more like 12-14. It currently consists of:
- 7 Cornets
- 2 Tenor Horns
- 1 Baritone
- 1 Euphonium
- 1 Trombone
- 1 EEb Bass
The Parramatta YP Band has toured all around New South Wales, this usually consists of a Saturday night concert, followed by a worship service at the local Salvation Army Corps on the Sunday morning. The men that have led the YP Band over the years have been some of the finest musicians in the state and include the likes of Bandmasters (B.M(s)) Ray Entwistle, Ian Roberts, David Godkin, and Rodney Everett.
The current YP Bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
is Mark Roberts. He has been in this role since October 2005.
Children's Ministry
The Children's Ministry has been given the title of YP (or "young people"). The YP is overseen by the Young People's Sergeant Major (or YPSM), which is currently Kylie Maxwell.Parramatta Corps provides groups for both children and adolescents. These groups are often led by Soldiers of the Corps and include:
Mini God Squad (previously Primary)
Mini God Squad is held on Sundays prior to the morning meeting and is often involves games, activities, music and Bible stories for children from 2 years of age until they complete year 2 at school. It is a basic introduction to Christianity.God Squad (previously Sunday School)
God Squad is held prior to the meeting on Sunday. It aims to teach the values of the Christian faith and often involves games and live music for children of primary school age. The live music is of a contemporary nature and features songs from current Christian groups. It is sung by the children with an accompaniment of drums, bass guitar and electric guitar.Junior Soldiers
Junior Soldiers is held during the morning meeting on a Sunday morning, the children usually attend the "worship segment" of the meeting and then depart to a separate part of the Citadel. It is an age-specific discipleship model for children aged 5–14 years and aims to increase the children's knowledge and understanding of Bible truth as well as The Salvation Army's doctrines and history.The program consists of a weekly teaching time and an award scheme. The award work allows the Junior Soldiers to complete tasks that help them to understand how they can daily live out their Christian faith. Every Corps is compelled to have someone to oversee this program, this person is formally known as the Junior Soldier Sergeant.
The Current Junior Soldier Sergeant is James Lloyd, he has been in this position since early 2005.
Youth
Youth is a general term that refers those aged 13–21. The "youth" are overseen by current Youth Pastor Sean Harrison, he has held this position since January 2007. The following groups are available for "youth" to attend:Junior Youth
Junior Youth (or JYs) is for high school aged teenagers and is held fortnightly at Parramatta Corps' Function Centre. This normally falls on a Friday night and mostly includes games and food. It has proved extremely popular with numbers growing from an initial four, to over fifteen.Youth Group
Is for those aged 16 and over. Events are held sporadically throughout the calendar year. These include but are not limited to movie nights, beach trips, karaokeKaraoke
is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
box socials and disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
's. Also, an annual weekend called "House Party" gives the youth two days away together in which they share in worship, activities and many late nights.
TRIBE (previously Corps Cadets)
Tribe is held prior to the morning meeting on a Sunday and is for teenagers from 13–17 years of age. It offers a four year curriculumCurriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
of teaching material with a balance of Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
teaching, faith
Faith
Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,...
issues and Salvation Army doctrine, principles
Principles
Principles may refer to:*Value *Principles and parameters*Principles...
and practices focusing on issues teenagers have today.
It is hoped that after four years, the young person has touched every Salvation Army doctrine, various ethics issues and a range of Bible teaching from Genesis through to the Revelation
Revelation
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a supernatural or a divine entity...
. Some Army history is presented as well.
Many decide to become enrolled as Corps Cadets as a sign of their commitment to service through the Army (seen by many as the final step before becoming a Soldier). But regardless of whether the youth decide to be enrolled, they are still permitted to partake in all Corps Cadet activities.
PSAFC Generals
Parramatta Corps is the home of the Parramatta Salvation Army Football Club, the 'Generals'http://www.myspace.com/psafc_generals. PSAFC is a member club of the New South Wales Churches Football Association. They are a Senior team that play in the NSWCFA's Raahauge Cup 1. Little is known about the history of the club other than that it has existed in several stints over the past 30 years. The records that are available indicate that Parramatta Salvation Army, as they were known then, tasted success in 1992, as All-Age Division 4 Runners-up and in 1994, as All-Age Division 3 Premiers. On both these occasions the teams were under the coaching of Arthur HodgeArthur Hodge
Arthur Hodge was a British colonial governor. He was Deputy Governor of Anguilla from 30 June 1741 until 28 January 1749....
. (This team also notoriously received a 'lifetime ban' from participating in Church competition in the mid-1990s. In a game against a team from Lidcombe Catholic Church a player, in an unprovoked attack assaulted one of our players causing serious facial injuries. Both police and ambulance were called. As a result both the Lidcombe team and the player were banned for life. Successful Police prosecution against the player in question resulted in guilty charges of 'causing grievous bodily harm". The players from the Salvation Army chose not to play in the following years.
Some 10 years later (in 2006) the ban was unprecedentedly lifted.) They currently field both a first and reserve grade side. This new generation of players saw Daniel Evans take over as "Club President" and Mark Roberts step in as "Club Secretary".
2007 season
In the 2007 season the first grade team lost only 1 regular league match, finishing in 1st place on the ladder. They qualified for the grand final but lost 1-0. The reserve grade team put in a much improved effort from the previous season finishing 7th on the table. Both teams also qualified for the quarter final's of their respective cup knock-out competitions.2008 season
In 2008 the Generals moved into the 1st division of the Raahauge Cup. They struggled to meet the new standards of this division and failed to win many games.Endorsement from the General
The team was thrilled when they received a personal message from the GeneralShaw Clifton
Shaw Clifton is a former General of The Salvation Army. He succeeded John Larsson as the 18th General on 2 April 2006.-Career:Shaw Clifton was born on 21 September 1945 in Belfast, Northern Ireland....
which, among other things, said:
"May you prepare diligently, play hard but fair, being generous in victory and gracious in defeat. May you devote equal application, skill and flair to your witness and evangelism through sport. May your friendships and contacts prove to be bridges for others into faith in Jesus Christ."
Other Australian Salvation Army Corps
- Sydney Congress HallSydney Congress HallSydney Congress Hall is a Salvation Army Corps situated in the Sydney's CBD. Not only is SCH the oldest Corps in the Australian Eastern Territory, it was also the largest Corps in NSW for much of the 20th century...
- Panania Community Church
- Tuggeranong Corps