Lieutenant Jonny Whitmore joins Matthew backstage at The Lighthouse, just hours before the final concert of the Territorial Youth Band (TYB) course. Jonny, who (along with his wife Kat) is in charge of The Salvation Army’s youth and children’s work in the United Kingdom, was a student on the first ever TYB course. Jonny talks to Matthew about his love of SA music-making, his faith and his calling to full-time ministry, before answering a multitude of Quirky Quickfire Questions written by the TYB students. Bandmaster Gavin Lamplough returns to Fully Scored, this time wearing his analyst’s hat ..read more

Ron Prussing is Matthew’s interviewee in this month’s episode. Ron retires this month from the Trombone section of the Sydney Symphony orchestra, after an amazing 53-year career with the orchestra. Ron is also an active Salvationist musician and previously served as bandmaster of Sydney Congress Hall Band. Bandmaster Jonathan Evans returns to finish our special journey into Ray Steadman-Allen’s ‘Victorian Snapshots – On Ratcliff Highway’.  It’s Paul Winterbourne’s turn to be stranded on the Arid Island this month. But, what one album will he pack in his suit carrier?  Regular feat ..read more

Andrew Wainwright is Matthew’s featured guest on Episode 51. Andrew’s artistry is admired by thousands of people nearly every week. Although these days, he’s better known for his Brass Band compositions than as the co-creator of Gunnersaurus Rex – the Arsenal Football Club mascot! Andrew talks about his life, his music and gives Matthew advice on how to construct a decent interview. Bandmaster Jonathan Evans continues his fascinating analysis of Ray Steadman-Allen’s ‘Victorian Snapshots – On Ratcliff Highway’. This epic analysis will be completed in next month’s episode. Young Salvationist c ..read more

In the final episode of season 4, ISB Soprano cornet supremo Gary Fountain opens up about his life, his playing and why SA banding is so important to him. Territorial Music and Creative Arts Education Secretary Nick Simmons-Smith then guides us through Morley Calvert’s beautifully crafted suite, ‘The festive season’. Also in this episode we hear from Bandmaster Matthew Miles who is our next guest on the Arid Island; the final line up of the 2023 Fantasy Band is revealed and Gary Fountain’s wealth of banding knowledge and experience is put to the test in a festive edition of Bandmastermind. H ..read more

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 ..read more

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’ compl ..read more

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 I ..read more

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 ‘Sparsel ..read more

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?  ..read more

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. Hos ..read more