The Brass Crest - Burlington Citadel Band

Mission Statement - The Burlington Citadel Senior Band

As stated in Orders and Regulations for Bands and Songster Brigades, it is the Band's duty "to proclaim the Army's message: salvation of souls". A Salvation Army bandsman proclaims that message through the medium of music. The venue may be a Salvation Army Corps, a hospital, a park, a nursing home or a mall: the aim of the band remains the same - to praise and glorify God through music, to draw individuals into a closer relationship with Him.

Commitment is a necessary prerequisite not only to the Band but also to the Lord as both go hand in hand. To have an effective ministry, the bandsman must experience a personal relationship with Christ.

And dost thou ask a gift from me:
The talents I possess?
Such as I have I give to thee
That others I may bless.

I have not much to give thee, Lord,
For that great love which made thee mine:
I have not much to give thee, Lord,
But all I have is thine.
- Richard Slater

Songwriter Richard Slater reminds us that our talents are given of God. Using these talents to reach others and bring them into His fold is something the bandsmen of the Burlington Citadel Senior Band are privileged to do.

History

Until Captain and Mrs. Merritt arrived on the scene, the work of the Salvation Army in Burlington was carried on from the Hamilton Citadel.

In 1967, ground was broken for the new Burlington Salvation Army Citadel, on Prospect Street in Burlington. A parade up Brant Street to the Civic Administration Building preceded the groundbreaking. Services were held in the Optimist Youth Centre, also on Prospect Street, until the building was completed.

Commissioner and Mrs. Clarence Wiseman, Territorial Commanders, officially opened and dedicated the new Citadel in September, 1968. The Band led a march of witness from the Civic Administration Building on Brant Street to the new Citadel.

Many members came from the Hamilton Barton Street Corps and Burlington Citadel began to grow. The first Bandmaster was Gordon Wheeler. In 1974, Ernest Clifford Reid took the role of Bandmaster and led the band until 1983, when he retired. After his retirement, Ernie continued to play in the percussion section. He was promoted to Glory in 1997. During Bandmaster Reid's tenure, the band took part in most of the Divisional Band Festivals and ministered at various Salvation Army churches.

In 1982, the band traveled to Wingham, Ontario and also hosted the Parry Sound Band for a Corps Anniversary Weekend. They played at the hospital and nursing homes, and could be seen serenading in the malls and on the streets at Christmas time.

In 1984, John Yates took the role of Bandmaster. Under his leadership, the band traveled to Goderich, Ontario (1984) and Chatham (also 1984).

The Burlington Citadel Corps celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 1987. The band again made a march of witness from Brant Street to Prospect Street. This was also a celebration of the addition built onto the original Citadel.

Robert Taylor became Bandmaster in 1995. Robert first came to the corps as a small boy. He has grown up in the Burlington Corps and has always been involved in the musical sections. His first leadership role was with the youth sections, but when the need arose for a Senior Bandmaster he rose to the challenge.

The band is still involved in outside ministry, playing at the hospitl, nursing homes and Spencer Smith Park in the summer months. The year 2000 was an exciting one for the band as they held a Band Reunion Weekend, contacting former band members no longer on Burlington's rolls. David Daws, cornet soloist of the International Staff Band, was the guest soloist for the weekend.

Although years have passed, Bandmasters and Band members have changed, the Burlington Citadel Band can still be seen ministering in the community. The main function of the band is to praise and glorify God through music - to draw individuals into a closer relationship with Him. The Burlington Citadel Band considers it an honour and a privilege to reach people for Him with the universal language of music.

Until Captain and Mrs. Merritt arrived on the scene, the work of the Salvation Army in Burlington was carried on from the Hamilton Citadel. In 1967, ground was broken for the new Burlington Salvation Army Citadel, on Prospect Street in Burlington. A parade up Brant Street to the Civic Administration Building preceded the groundbreaking. Services were held in the Optimist Youth Centre, also on Prospect Street, until the building was completed. Commissioner and Mrs. Clarence Wiseman, Territorial Commanders, officially opened and dedicated the new Citadel in September, 1968. The Band led a march of witness from the Civic Administration Building on Brant Street to the new Citadel. Top of Page	The Band in 1967 Click here for a larger image
The Band in 1982 Click here for a larger image	Many members came from the Hamilton Barton Street Corps and Burlington Citadel began to grow. The first Bandmaster was Gordon Wheeler. In 1974, Ernest Clifford Reid took the role of Bandmaster and led the band until 1983, when he retired. After his retirement, Ernie continued to play in the percussion section. He was promoted to Glory in 1997. During Bandmaster Reid's tenure, the band took part in most of the Divisional Band Festivals and ministered at various Salvation Army churches. In 1982, the band traveled to Wingham, Ontario and also hosted the Parry Sound Band for a Corps Anniversary Weekend. They played at the hospital and nursing homes, and could be seen serenading in the malls and on the streets at Christmas time. Top of Page
In 1984, John Yates took the role of Bandmaster. Under his leadership, the band traveled to Goderich, Ontario (1984) and Chatham (also 1984). The Burlington Citadel Corps celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 1987. The band again made a march of witness from Brant Street to Prospect Street. This was also a celebration of the addition built onto the original Citadel. Top of Page	The band in 1987 Click here for a larger image
The Band in 1999 Click here for a larger image	Robert Taylor became Bandmaster in 1995. Robert first came to the corps as a small boy. He has grown up in the Burlington Corps and has always been involved in the musical sections. His first leadership role was with the youth sections, but when the need arose for a Senior Bandmaster he rose to the challenge. The band is still involved in outside ministry, playing at the hospitl, nursing homes and Spencer Smith Park in the summer months. The year 2000 was an exciting one for the band as they held a Band Reunion Weekend, contacting former band members no longer on Burlington's rolls. David Daws, cornet soloist of the International Staff Band, was the guest soloist for the weekend. Although years have passed, Bandmasters and Band members have changed, the Burlington Citadel Band can still be seen ministering in the community. The main function of the band is to praise and glorify God through music - to draw individuals into a closer relationship with Him. The Burlington Citadel Band considers it an honour and a privilege to reach people for Him with the universal language of music. Top of Page
The Band in 2000 Click here for a larger image