This special episode is a tribute to one of The Salvation Army's greatest composers, Major Leslie Condon. In this episode, Dr Stephen Cobb, Trevor Davis, Kevin Norbury, Gordon Ward, Maurice Cooper, Iain Parkhouse and Brian Johnson all give tribute to Condon, who was a mentor, inspiration and friend to so many around the world. We also present an analysis of Leslie Condon’s ‘The Present Age’, given by the composer himself in a little known recording taken at the Star Lake Music Camp in 1976. 

40 years ago this year the world lost a genius, but his legacy still lives on. Join with us as we share a snapshot into the life, faith and music of Major Leslie Condon.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of SP&S 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Wright is Matthew’s guest on this month’s episode. David has recently joined the team at Music Editorial, and gives us an insight into his interesting and varied military career.

‘Glorifico Aeternum’ was written 20 years ago. To mark this milestone, we invited the composer of the piece – Dean Jones – to talk to us about his inspiration and his writing process for this exciting work.

Bandmaster Bethany Williams makes the very long journey from Glasgow to the Arid Island and tells us which album she’d pack in her hand luggage.

‘Bandmastermind’, ‘Band Manager’ and ‘Sparsely Scored’ complete another exciting episode.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of SP&S 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 45, Matthew Frost spends time chatting with Bandmaster Jonathan Evans. It turns out that as well as being Principal Trombone of the International Staff Band and Bandmaster of Sale Salvation Army Band, Jonathan is also a cricket enthusiast, a closet impressionist and a frustrated West-end singer! 

‘None other name’ is – as you’d expect from Erik Leidzén – a beautifully crafted selection. Torgny is an expert in the life and music of Leidzén, and shares some fascinating insights. 

Completing the line-up, we have another Staff Bandsman, Iain Parkhouse stranded on Arid Island with only one album … but which will it be? 

‘Bandmastermind’, ‘Band Manager’ and ‘Sparsely Scored’ complete another exciting episode.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of

SP&S 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bandmaster Heinrich Schmidt has just retired as Bandmaster of the German Staff Band after 34 years of service. Heinrich talks to Matthew about growing up in post-war Germany, his time as Staff Bandmaster and how he has used his musical career to promote the Gospel.

Continuing the German flavour, Andrew Wainwright (who is not German!) talks us through his set of variations, on the (German) tune ‘Was Lebet’.

Ruben Schmidt (son of Heinrich) can currently be found on the Fully Scored ‘Arid Island’. He shares with us his album choice for such a trip.

‘Bandmastermind’, ‘Band Manager’ and ‘Sparsely Scored’ complete another exciting episode.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of SP&S 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bandmaster Monica Sakha is our guest on Episode 43. Monica is the founder and Bandmaster of the Kenya East Ladies Band and talks to us about her life, her faith and her vision for this remarkable group. Marcus Venables, Principal Cornet of Canadian Staff Band, talks us through Norman Bearcroft’s ‘Just like John’, which was written for the reformed CSB and is a unique piece in the SA repertoire. 

Staff Bandsman Carl Woodman answers the one question that everyone fears… If you were stranded on an arid Island and had to choose just one album to take with you, what would that album be? 

‘Bandmastermind’, ‘Band Manager’ and ‘Sparsely Scored’ complete another exciting episode.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of SP&S and Regal Zonophone

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brett Tolcher has recently been appointed as Bandmaster of the Chicago Staff Band. Brett joins Matthew to talk about his life, ministry and work as Territorial Music and Creative Arts Ministries Secretary. Heaton’s ‘Praise’ is one of everyone’s favourite marches and we’re delighted to welcome Paul Hindmarsh back to ‘Fully Scored’ to talk us through this masterpiece. Divisional Music Director Alexis Dill explains which one album she’d choose to take with her for a stay on Fully Scored’s Arid Island.

‘Bandmastermind’, ‘Band Manager’ and ‘Sparsely Scored’ complete another exciting episode.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of SP&S

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

96-year-old, Major George Whittingham talks to Matthew Frost about a different era of Salvation Army music-making, recounting stories from life in the 1940s. Renowned composer, Sam Creamer, then discusses ‘So Glad!’ with Matthew – a piece that paved the way for jazz and swing music becoming part of standard SA repertoire.

In this episode we have a surprise ‘Bandmastermind’!

‘Band Manager’ and ‘Sparsely Scored’ complete another jam-packed episode.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of SP&S

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘The light of the world’ is, without doubt, one The Salvation Army’s most played and loved pieces of music. In this episode, Dean Goffin’s masterpiece is analysed by Bandmaster Jonathan Evans (Sale and ISB). Before this, Matthew Frost interviews cornet superstar and Bandmaster of the Household Troops Band, Carl Saunders. 

Before Carl’s band knowledge is put to the test in Bandmastermind, we have a special Arid Island Album feature with three members of staff from the Territorial Youth Band course. 

‘Band Manager’ and ‘Sparsely Scored’ complete another jam-packed episode.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of SP&S

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of ‘Fully Scored’ is has a real international feel to it. It starts with a trip to The Netherlands, as Matthew Frost interviews Amsterdam Staff Bandmaster, Olaf Ritman. The music of Scotsman is then analysed by an American; SA Music aficionado Ron Holz (USA Southern Territory) delves into Peter Graham’s ‘Shine as the light’. 

Before Olaf returns for Bandmastermind, World of Sound’s Melissa Dee reveals the album she would choose to have with her if she found herself marooned on an arid island.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of SP&S

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fully Scored is back with Season 4! And we have two heavyweights of SA music on this first episode of the year. Dudley Bright, former Principal Trombone of the LSO, tells Matthew about his life, his playing career and his compositions. ‘Arise, my soul, arise!’ is one of only two ‘Prelude and Fugues’ published by Music Editorial. Derick Kane joins Matthew to talk us through the intricacies of this piece.

As well as the regular features (Arid Island Album – featuring Andrew Dickinson (ISB Principal Horn) and Bandmastermind), 2023 sees the inclusion of two new features. Dudley Bright is the first guest to sit in the Band Manager’s dugout before we all get to try ‘Sparsely Scored’, which is guaranteed to be every listener’s new earworm.

Hosted by Matthew Frost

Produced by Simon Gash 

Published by Music Editorial 

Audio extracts used with permission of SP&S

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.