Band History

The Reading Central Band was formed in 1881 with the express desire to convert men, women and children to a belief in God through its music-making and personal witness. One hundred and twenty five years on, that commitment remains the same.

The earliest photograph, above, taken in 1892 shows those pioneering bandsmen, most of whom would have been of the labouring class earning less than £1 a week. Not only did the bandsmen have to have to provide finance for their instruments but, as today, for their uniforms also. A salvation Army publication of the time shows the cheapest band tunics were 14/- which would have been a weeks wages for some of these men.

Bandmaster Parker during his 26 years of leadership did not care for the band travelling too far. The history books show that Birmingham Citadel was the furthest the band ventured, however this is no reflection on the standard of the musicianship. In 1922 the band shared the platform at Clapham Congress Hall with such sections as the International Staff Band and Regent Hall Band for Bandmasters Councils. To mark this special occasion, each bandsman wore a biscuit with a ribbon, supplied by Huntley and Parmers, so they became known as the 'Biscuit Boys'. Its interesting to note that over the years only two of the bandsmen were employed by that factory.

The band has remained a true 'brass' band despite some experimentation with other instruments. For some eight years there were some tenor cors, and then a set of saxophones was tried but the tone did not blend and they had a tendency to squeak! These can be seen in the photograph above.

Although the musical standard of the band has always been good, throughout the years it has been better known in the corps and district for its witness and spiritual standing of its members. Many former bandsmen no doubt remember fondly their service with Reading Central Band because of the Christian fellowship and opportunity for witness which they enjoyed. That fellowship is still a feature of the band today and the opportunity to witness, not only through the medium of music, but in many ways is still afforded to its members as we continue to march in this 21st century.

Celebrations marking the 125^th anniversary of Reading Central Band commenced in royal style as the band, having received permission from Her Majesty the Queen, marched from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace to present a programme of music. Headed by its Canadian commanding officers, Majors Robert and Dana Reid, the band joined the Central Ontario Reservists Band (Geoffrey Norton) who, at the end of a week-long tour of the United Kingdom, presented a selection of music to a large crowd of tourists and corps folk. Representatives of the Royal Household, including Assistant Band Secretary Austin Burn of Reading Central and Ray Wheaton, a former member of the International Staff Band, greeted the royal county band.