The One Fingered Salute

Recently The Salute published a report about the growing movement to allow woodwind instruments in Salvation Army bands.

Whilst we at The Salute have enjoyed listening to and playing in Army bands for many years, we believe it is time for the Army to relax the rules regarding the permissible instruments. There are several reasons for this position.

First, the rules are quite arbitrary. Whilst the intention was always to keep non-brass instruments out of bands, the current rules also prevent trumpets, French horns and even didgeridoos—all technically brass instruments—from inclusion. On the other hand, the rules allow for ‘percussion instruments as required.’ This means that drum-kits are allowed in, as well as timpani, xylophones and triangles—none of which are brass instruments.

Praise the Lord, ’tis whosoever!

Second, the rules no longer make any sense. When the rules were instituted brass players were plentiful in the Army. We could afford to alienate woodwind players. That is no longer so. In truth, could we ever afford to alienate them?

Third, the old objection that we don’t have music for woodwinds is no longer tenable. Many woodwind instruments already play in the same keys and across similar ranges to brass band instruments. Besides, modern publishing technology makes it easy to publish music in whatever keys and clefs are desired.

Finally, the claim that brass bands are an essential part of the Army’s identity is evidence of a lack of understanding of the Army’s history. In the very early days of the Army it was common to find woodwinds and even stringed instruments  in our bands. The emphasis was on getting the job done and giving converts an opportunity to serve their new-found Lord. The Churches complained about our musical impurity, and we laughed.

Now we are the snobs.

It is disgraceful that we are so determined to exclude some of the most talented musicians in our Corps simply because they play the wrong instruments. How much richer could our worship be if we would only open our ears to the wonderful variety of sound currently relegated to the pews? How much richer would our Corps be because everyone was able to use their God-given gifts and abilities for the sake of the whole congregation?

The Salute therefore wishes to encourage Sherry McCormick in her quest to be allowed to play in her Corps band. We call upon Territorial Headquarters around the world, as well as International Headquarters, to rescind the offending (and offensive) Positional Statement.

The Salute usually encourages Salvationists to toe the Army line. However, this is a matter of justice that can be addressed by Salvationists wherever they are.

So while we eagerly wait for Headquarters to change the rules to something more conscionable, we also call on Corps Officers, Bandmasters and musical Salvationists everywhere to take the lead and do the right thing… and let the music play.