A GIFT FOR HIS ALTER - Major George Whittingham

 
If you're a trombone enthusiast you'll love this! If not, you'll be one if you watch this to the end- Trombone reservist  S-E Ljungholm


Click on post for a trombonist feast!
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A tribute to all trombone players, including the highly respected trombonist and SA music legend Major George Whittingham.  One of the trombonists in the above ensemble served with George in the International Staff Band of the SA, London, England.

Music more in line with the Major's genre follows at the end of this article as the South London Fellowship Band plays under George's leading, a piece written by long time ISB colleague Les Condon, with whom he served for 23 years. Les' tuba duet, Radiant Pathway, was recorded by them and released in conjunction with the ISB Australian tour, 1967, Australian Memories; EMI PRX5665.
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My prayer for this welcome New Year is for a resurgence and resuscitation in our (Salvation Army) music making, not only here in our much changing country (UK), but also in many parts of our overseas territories, especially in Europe.

For those who in some form or other have been hurt, either by word or deed, causing them to withdraw from the ranks, may the Holy Spirit of love and compassion speak to them in some special way.

May our officers and cadets realise and appreciate that music making in whatever form has been, is, and will be a channel in which talents can be used in Kingdom building, and that our Founder, William Booth, not only permitted, but used brass bands to sound out the gospel of Christ to the whosoever.

Many of my Salvationist friends still feel the same way about this form of music making, which is still needed and vital in this present age, and new comers to our Movement should not be allowed to make derogatory statements about our "music making" being unimportant.


May our Father God continue to use The Music Ministries staff in this New Year and all others engaged in what we must believe to be a growing music ministry.

George Whittingham, Major (Retired)

UK

Major George Whittingham is a friend of many years and remains a major influence on hundreds, indeed thousands, of budding and mature brass band enthusiasts. 

I remember him first, when listening to him as the ISB’s G-Trombone, Euphonium and BB Bass player from the early ISP LP records as a teen bando in the early 60's. And more recently as the inspired leader of the South London Fellowship Band.

And, there was the incident when Kathie and I returned to our Moscow, Russia appointment, on completing our USA homeland furlough; George and a handful of Moscow SA musicians had assembled in the international arrivals hall, unbeknown to us. The SA uniform was still unknown to the thousands of mostly Russian crowd as was the music;  THIS IS THE DAY! We were ‘blown away’ by the thoughtfulness demonstrated by George and our faithful ‘band’. George had been seconded to Moscow to hold down the fort during our time away.

Thank you for your inspired leadership these many years and thie above challenge and reminder. The FSAOF welcomes substantive articles on church music making and its place in changing people’s hearts to reflect on the Almighty.