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The Household Troops Band (HTB) is a brass band associated with the Salvation Army, consisting of musicians who are
Salvation Army Salvation (from Latin: ''salvatio'', from ''salva'', 'safe, saved') is the state of being saved or protected from harm or a dire situation. In religion and theology, ''salvation'' generally refers to the deliverance of the soul from sin and its c ...
members from various regions across the United Kingdom. The band regularly performs at Salvation Army corps and venues throughout the UK and engages in annual recording projects. Throughout its history, the band has embarked on international tours to numerous countries. Regarded as one of the prominent Salvation Army Bands in the UK, the Household Troops Band shares this distinction with the
International Staff Band The International Staff Band (or ''ISB'') is the premier brass band of The Salvation Army. History The Salvation Army history generally acknowledges 7 October 1891, the date on which Commissioner Bramwell Booth brought the 'International Headqu ...
. Notably, the Household Troops Band stands out within the Salvation Army as the only band internationally known for wearing a distinctive
Pith Helmet The pith helmet, also known as the safari helmet, salacot, sola topee, sun helmet, topee, and topi) is a lightweight cloth-covered helmet made of sholapith. The pith helmet originates from the Spanish Empire, Spanish military adaptation of the na ...
.


History

In the early Summer of 1885, there was a "Great Kent March" by
Salvation Army Salvation (from Latin: ''salvatio'', from ''salva'', 'safe, saved') is the state of being saved or protected from harm or a dire situation. In religion and theology, ''salvation'' generally refers to the deliverance of the soul from sin and its c ...
Officer Cadets. They were known as "Life Guards" and the march was headed by a band of 25 brass instrumentalists, each wearing a white pith military helmet (the normal military headgear of the day), a red guernsey, blue trousers and gaiters and carrying a knapsack and water bottle. Later it was suggested that a permanent band might be established. A War Cry (Salvation Army newspaper) advert called for volunteers; it read: ''If you're young, if you're saved, if you're physically fit, if you can play a brass instrument.....are prepared to leave home and family for six months active service for God and the Army...then be at Clapton Congress Hall on 12 March 1887.'' The Household Troops Band was formed with Staff-Captain Harry Appleby as bandmaster. No salary was offered and no guarantee was given apart from food and clothing. On 1 June 1887 the pioneer 25 members of the Household Troops Band left Clapton Congress Hall to march into Salvation Army history. Their first tour lasted six months. The next year, in October, the band left for Canada as the first British Salvation Army band to cross the Atlantic. The tour was a success and led to Canada's own Household Troops Band being formed. Whilst they were away a second group of players was inaugurated under the leadership of Samuel Webber and the tradition continued. On 14 October 1889, in the country village of Whitchurch in
Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants) is a ceremonial county, ceremonial and non-metropolitan county, non-metropolitan counties of England, county in western South East England on the coast of the English Channel. Home to two major English citi ...
, it is reported that the Household Troops Band lead a march of over 1000 Salvationists in a great march for liberty. The local Salvationists had suffered persecution and injury in the Whitchurch Riots and over 800 had been imprisoned for conducting open-air services. This demonstration and others led by the local Corps likely led to The Salvation Army winning a legal case allowing them the right to play and preach in the open-air. The first Troops band returned home to Britain in 1891 and later members of both bands amalgamated. Then six years after it all started, in 1893, the band was dissolved to make way for a new band, and it was from the ashes of the Household Troops Band that the International Headquarters Staff Band (now known as the
International Staff Band The International Staff Band (or ''ISB'') is the premier brass band of The Salvation Army. History The Salvation Army history generally acknowledges 7 October 1891, the date on which Commissioner Bramwell Booth brought the 'International Headqu ...
) was formed.


The Troops Today

In 1985, Captain John Mott, then National Bandmaster, established a new Household Troops Band by selecting members from the "A" Band at the National School of Music, Cobham Hall. Following his retirement on 16 October 2010, Major John Mott was succeeded by Carl Saunders. Comprising individuals from various Salvation Army centers, the band is chosen based on their commitment to Salvationism, endurance, adaptability, and musical skills. The band holds a limited number of rehearsals in preparation for the Summer Tour, which forms the core of their work. These tours typically occur during the last week of August and are predominantly conducted in coastal resorts, where larger holiday crowds gather, sometimes stretching the resources of local Corps due to the vacation season. A notable aspect of the band is their march to the afternoon open-air venues. Although traffic can pose challenges, the band generally overcomes them through effective organization and cooperation with local law enforcement. Subsequently, in the evening, they hold a Festival in the local Citadel. The band has embarked on various tours over the years, including the South Coast in 1985, the Bournemouth area in 1991, the East Coast in 1996, and Essex, Kent & Dorset in 1997, among others. Additionally, the band releases a CD recording nearly every year.


See also

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Maidenhead Citadel Band Maidenhead Citadel Band (MCB) is a Salvation Army Band and part of the Maidenhead Corps of The Salvation Army. For over 120 years the band has consistently contributed to the worship and evangelical outreach promoted by the Maidenhead Corps in th ...
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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 ...
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The Salvation Army The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestant church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, England. The organisation reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7million, comprising soldiers, officers and adherents col ...
*
International Staff Band The International Staff Band (or ''ISB'') is the premier brass band of The Salvation Army. History The Salvation Army history generally acknowledges 7 October 1891, the date on which Commissioner Bramwell Booth brought the 'International Headqu ...
*
Chalk Farm Salvation Army Band {{Use dmy dates, date=December 2017 The Chalk Farm Band is brass band of the Salvation Army located at the Salvation Army Centre in Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, London, England. It is one of the best known brass bands of the Salvation Army in th ...
* Brass Band *
Melbourne Staff Band The Melbourne Staff Band (MSB) is the premier Brass band (British style), brass band of the Salvation Army in Australia History From its beginnings in Adelaide the Salvation Army spread rapidly and soon reached Victoria (Australia), Victoria w ...


References


External links


Household Troops Band
{{Authority control Salvation Army brass bands British brass bands Salvationism in England