Central to the Just Brass program
at Orange is giving children the gift
of playing music. Students learn
through group performance (top
left) and individual tutoring thanks
to volunteers from the Orange City
Band (top right) and Orange Corps
bandsmen, including Corps Officer
Captain Greg Saunders (left). All
photos Shairon Paterson
ORANGE GLOWS WITH
PRIDE
ESTHER PINN SPEAKS TO ORANGE CORPS OFFICER CAPTAIN GREG
SAUNDERS ABOUT A CHILDREN’S MUSIC LESSON PROGRAM THAT IS
PROVING TO BE A BIG HIT WITH THE COMMUNITY
H
aving musical talent is
not important at Orange
Corps. All you need is a
willingness to learn.
“It doesn’t matter where you come
from. We believe every child should
have the opportunity to learn music,”
asserts Captain Greg Saunders, the
Orange Corps Officer.
Since July last year, Captain
Saunders and five corps members have
been teaching about 18 children how
to play a brass instrument at no cost.
They call their program Just Brass, and
it is increasing in popularity.
“What we’ve found is that we
have a very good music culture in the
Orange community, but parents can’t
afford the tutoring.”
Captain Saunders firmly believes
that money should not be an obstacle
for learning music. And while the
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corps did not have funds available to
start a program, what they did have
was the people.
“I had five guys sitting
around, knowing how to play
[brass instruments]. We also had
instruments in the cupboard, so we’re
using what we have.”
And while learning how to play
a brass instrument is important,
Captain Saunders believes Just Brass
is part of a bigger opportunity.
“It’s not about brass bands. It’s
about teaching kids to play music. The
first day we had them buzzing on their
instruments. The second day they
were all playing a note. If they can
play music they can move on to any
instrument they like.”
Captain Saunders’ commitment
to teaching children music has also
meant stepping up himself. While
he can play a number of brass
instruments, conducting a brass band
was not in his skills set. Armed with
determination, Captain Saunders
stepped out of his comfort zone and
attempted conducting.
“I had to learn how to conduct
properly. Anyone can wave their arms
around,” he laughs.
Community input
The corps has also enlisted the help of
the local City of Orange Brass Band.
Many members from this band
assist Just Brass on a regular basis
with tutoring and playing alongside
them. This band also donated all the
trophies that were given out at the
Just Brass end of year concert last year.
Captain Saunders says in 2013
the band will perform at the end of
term concerts, as well as Easter and
Christmas festivals at the corps.
He says much of their success lies
in their community approach.
Partnering with the Smith Family,
every Monday night Orange Corps
hosts reading groups for children
struggling academically.
“We purposely put it [music
lessons] on directly after our reading
group. A few of those kids have now
come up to our music classes.
“Our aim is to build relationships
and on the way, expose them to
the gospel of Christ. We’re using
the reputation we have. What’s The
Salvation Army known for? Brass
bands. They trust us in this area.”
The corps continues to build
on that reputation by growing
relationships with the families
through a free dinner after the
rehearsal.
Southern inspiration
Orange’s brass band lessons were
inspired by South Barwon (Victoria)
Corps’ Just Brass program in the
Australia Southern Territory. Their
program has been running for more
than two years and, being a former
soldier from South Barwon, Captain
Saunders made a trip to check it out.
“I went and had a look and came
back saying, ‘We’ve just got to do this’.
It’s such a simple idea and it works.”
Just Brass in South Barwon has
more than 80 students and Major
Saunders hopes to follow their lead,
offering group lessons and individual
tutorials.
The Eastern Territory Brass
Ministry Development Coordinator,
Major Keith Hampton, is looking to
expand the Just Brass program right
across the territory.
“Young People’s Bands were a big
thing when I was a kid and they were a
link to the community,” says Keith.
“I remember I sat next to a kid
whose parents didn’t come to church.
But these kids got involved in the
band and got saved.
“Brass bands are not the only
link to our community – I think that
attitude has been some of the issue
in the past – but it’s definitely one of
the links we have for mission, offering
a way for the community to build
relationships with a Salvation Army
Corps.
“There are are a lot of people who
would never learn music without this
kind of opportunity. The key is making
that link with the community.”
For more photos, see Pictorial, page 20
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