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Singapore & Australia Tour Review - The Salvationist, 8th December 2007

Troops bring Blessing and encouragement.

Singapore and Austrlia Southern
The Household Troops Band led by Major John Mott has returned from a tour which included Singapore and Australia.

In Singapore the band met Territorial Commander Colonel David Bringans and Chief Secretary Lieut-Colonel Keith Burridge. The band's first concert at the British High Commission recognised the work of the Army and a cheque was presented to the TC. Other engagements included visits to a nursing home, Singapore Central Corps and Changi Chapel, where a service was held and the Last Post sounded to remember service personnel who gave their lives during the Second World War.
The band then travelled to Melbourne where it presented a festival on Saturday evening and the band's executive officer, Lieut-Colonel David Phillips, led Sunday worship with participation by members of the band.

Other places visited included Waaragul, Adelaide and Perth where the band met Corps Correspondent Jacqui Proctor (Perth Fortress) who co-ordinated the tour in Australia and said: "This fine band imparted more than skilled musicianship; it encouraged, blessed and proved that the Army is still rich in its heritage in the ability to proclaim the good news of Jesus Chist through music." Territorial Music Secretary Captain Mark Bearcroft (Australia Southern) accompanied the band throughout the Australian part of the tour.

Many soloists features in the band's programmes, including Daniel Robson (cornet, Birmingham Citadel), Carl Saunders (cornet, Cardiff Canton), Andy Newell (trombone, Bristol Easton), Keith Loxely (euphonium, Enfield), Martin Blessett (Eb Bass, Peterborough Citadel), Luke Williams (bagpipes, Govan) and Andrew Piper (clarinet, Leicester South).

During the tour, the band played under the leadershp of various composers including Captain Ian Robinson (Singapore), Bill Broughton (Adelaide) and Major Howard Davies (Perth).

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