Mr. Anderson Comes to Washington

The National Capital and Virginia Division of the Salvation Army, headquartered in Washington, DC, has announced that Bandmaster James B. Anderson has been appointed Divisional Music Director. Anderson's wife, Christina Anderson has been appointed Divisional Gospel Arts Director. They will take up their new duties on May 17, 2004. The Andersons come to Washington from California, where Bandmaster Anderson served as the Music Secretary for the USA Western Territory from September 2001 through February 2004.

Bandmaster James B. Anderson

James B. Anderson hails from Scotland, where he was introduced to Salvation Army music traditions as a child at the Kilmarnock Temple Corps. He attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, graduating as a music educator in 1974. He began a career in the city high schools of Edinburgh. In 1985, he became an Adivsor in Music to the Grampian Regional Council's Education Department, with responsibility for oversight of music education in the entire region.

During his career in Scottish schools, Bandmaster Anderson remained active in the Salvation Army, holding a number of local officer positions over the years. These included Bandmaster of the Edinburgh Gorgie Band (1974-1983) and Songster Leader at the Aberdeen Citadel Corps (1990-1992). He is also a noted Salvationist composers, especially for brilliant marches such as Goldcrest, Powerpoint, and The Pioneers.

In 1992, Anderson made the jump across the Atlantic to take up the position as Divisional Music Director for the Salvation Army's Texas Division. During his time in Texas, he developed a summer music conservatory program and a strong program of corps visits, eventually establishing the Texas Divisional Youth Band. He also participated in the division's work within Mexico, where he traveled to Mexico City biweekly to do brass instruction.

After seven years in Texas, the Andersons moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where Bandmaster Anderson served as the Music Education Director for the USA Southern Territory, a position he held until becoming the Music Secretary in the USA Western Territory.

Christina Anderson is an accomplished pianist and educator. She holds a master's degree in English and Religious Studies from Edinburgh University and a Froebel Diploma in Early Education. A lifelong Salvationist, she also served in local officer positions in both Scotland and Texas.

Source:
Brass Crest Staff Report

Posted by Webmaster 04 April 2004 21:20:08