Originally known as the Washington Headquarters Band, the National Capital Band of the Salvation Army has one of the longest records of continuous service among Salvation Army bands in the United States. The band was formed in 1925 under the direction of Band-Instructor Erik Leidzén, who traveled by coastal steamboat from New York for rehearsals. Through the years, the name of the band has changed to reflect its place in the changing structure of the Salvation Army in the southern United States, but the band has remained attached to the regional headquarters in Washington, DC.
The primary function of the National Capital Band is to support the operations of the National Capital and Virginia Divisional Headquarters. Music is provided for special occasions, meetings, fund-raising, and other events. The band is also frequently called upon to support events of the USA National Headquarters. In addition to the full band, there is a sextet, the National Capital Brass, which is also frequently heard at special events.
The National Capital Band has been featured in major territorial and national events, including the Congress held in Kansas City in 1980 to celebrate the centennial of the Salvation Army in the United States. The band has toured internationally in Canada, Jamaica (1974), Australia and New Zealand (1989), Scandinavia and Estonia (1991) and Russia (1994). The band has made several recordings, the most recent, Turning Point, was released in April 2001.
One of the strengths of the National Capital Band is its long line of distinguished bandmasters, beginning with Erik Leidzén in 1925. Other notable names that have held the baton include Brigadier Leslie Hall (1940-1947), Commissioner Ernest W. Holz (1952-1957), Commissioner W. R. H. Goodier (1957-1959), Bandmster A. Campbell Robinson (1961-1985), and Bandmaster Stephen Bulla (1985-1998). The bandmaster at hte time of this tour, Lars-Otto Ljungholm, assumed leadership in 1998. In addition to the bandmasters, the National Capital Band has been fortunate to have talented composers as members, including Commissioner Paul S. Kellner, Robert C. Schramm, and Dorothy Gates.
Updated Information
The end of the season following the USA South Tour was traumatic for the National Capital Band.
Fourteen members left the band, including Bandmaster Ljungholm, who returned to Sweden; Deputy
Bandmaster Andy Barrington, who was appointed Music Director of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division; and
Dorothy Gates, who became the Music Editor at USA Eastern Territorial Headquarters. However, the
band survived under the able direction of Bandmaster Ian Anderson, who accepted the
challenge of keeping the band playing. In October 2003, Duncan Sutton was hired as
Music Director of the National Capital and Virginia Division, and in March, 2003, Bandmaster Sutton
took the baton of the National Capital Band.
