Todd Retires from Norwich Citadel Band

Michael Whybrow, Band Secretary at Norwich Citadel, has announced that Ray Todd has retired from the Norwich Citadel Band, completing 57 years of service as a Salvation Army bandsman.

Todd, whose parents were active Salvationists, grew up in the Felixstowe Corps, beginning his musical career in the Singing Company and Y. P. Band, where he played the drum before taking up the cornet.

After completing his education, he joined the Royal Horse Guards Band, accepting a place in the cornet section. Within a short time, he was made principal cornet and remained in that position for 22 years before retiring from the military. During his time with the Guards, Todd served as a State Trumpeter, playing for many royal occasions – taking part Trooping the Colour, Garter ceremonies and Lord Mayor’s Show events, mostly with the Household Cavalry Mounted Band.

In 1957, while stationed at Knightsbridge, Todd was invited to attend the Chalk Farm Corps, where he immediately felt at home. After a short time he became the Chalk Farm Band’s principal cornet, a position he held for 42 years. He was also commissioned as Deputy Bandmaster, and briefly served as Bandmaster before returning to the deputy role, which he held until he retired to Norwich in 1999.

In 1961, Todd was married to Elizabeth. Their daughter, Lindsey, is the Singing Company leader at Norwich Citadel and their son, Gerry, is a member of the Melbourne Staff Band and the Bandmaster at Waverly Temple Corps in Melbourne, Australia.

In the 1980s, Todd served as the Bandmaster of the North London Youth Band. Throughout his military career, he was a peripatetic music teacher in schools and also taught individual students. He continued some teaching for a time after moving to Norwich.

Despite his retirement from active service in the corps band, after 57 years of service at Felixstowe, Chalk Farm and Norwich Citadel, Todd is still involved in Salvation Army banding. He is the conductor of the Anglia Fellowship Band and is a member of the Norfolk Fellowship Brass.