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International Staff Songsters (ISS)
Choir
Origin	London, United Kingdom
Founded	1897–1928 1980–present
Genre	Christian choral
Music director	Dorothy Nancekievill
Affiliation	The Salvation Army
Label	SP&S
Website	www.salvationarmy.org.uk/international-staff-songsters

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The International Staff Songsters (ISS) is the principal choir of the Salvation Army. Based in London, UK, the group performs Christian choral music in concerts, worship services and television and radio broadcasts, and has recorded more than 50 albums since its inauguration.

Members of the choir are Christians who are also members of their local Salvation Army church. The ISS regularly visits Salvation Army centres in the UK and has undertaken several international tours, including Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Australasia. Profits from recordings and performances are used to support the work of the Salvation Army. The ISS has performed in diverse locations; from notable concert venues including the Royal Albert Hall, O2 Arena, Roy Thompson Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Symphony Hall, to squatter camps, prisons, and homeless shelters. The ISS regularly performs on the long-running BBC Radio 4 shows The Daily Service and Sunday Worship, and has also featured on the BBC Television programme, Songs of Praise.

Structure and purpose

The ISS is a mixed-voice (SATB) choir of approximately 30 singers, typically accompanied by a pianist, bassist, and percussionist. The ISS describes its purpose as to support the work of the Salvation Army and to communicate the organisation's Christian beliefs through its music, often by performing works with lyrics quoting or paraphrasing scripture. The ISS website states:

We believe passionately in the power of music and singing to share God’s love and to bring people and communities together. Wherever we go, we strive to introduce people to Jesus and His power to change lives. We also enjoy meeting and sharing with local singers when we lead vocal workshops in a variety of community settings.

In addition to a musical director, the ISS is led by an Executive Officer; an ordained Salvation Army Officer who serves as the spiritual and pastoral leader of the group.

History

1897–1928

The ISS was originally established by an official minute issued by the Salvation Army's Chief of the Staff, Bramwell Booth, in March 1897. The group was composed of employees of the organisation's International Headquarters (IHQ) in London and the chief of the accounts department, Herbert Jackson, was appointed the first leader of the songsters. By 1912, it was reported that the ISS had travelled 25,000 miles and sung to audiences totalling more than 1,000,000 people. The ISS also attracted the attention of high-profile music critics, including George Bernard Shaw. In 1922, Jackson was succeeded by his deputy, Railton Howard, before the group was disbanded in 1928 due to "members' conflict of duties".

1980–present

After a 52-year hiatus, the group was re-formed in March 1980 by General Arnold Brown who appointed Norman Bearcroft as the founding leader of the relaunched group, with membership no longer confined to headquarters employees. On the decision to re-form the group, General Brown commented:

All aspects of the proposal were carefully weighed by Army leaders before the decision was taken. Many recall the effectiveness of earlier, similar groups, and the necessity for another such music section has been seen for some years The purpose will be the same as that of every musical aggregation throughout the Army world – the proclaiming of the message of salvation. It is hoped that the brigade will do it in such a way as to merit the emulation of songsters everywhere.

An inaugural concert took place at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon on 8th March 1980, following which Norman Bearcroft led the ISS for 10 years. The group has subsequently had a further four leaders: Len Ballantine (1990–1998), Peter Ayling (1998–2001), Andrew Blyth (2001–2003), and Dorothy Nancekievill (2003–present).

The ISS is a perennial performer at the Royal Albert Hall for Celebrating Christmas with the Salvation Army, which has been broadcast on BBC Radio London and most other Local BBC Radio stations across the UK. In 2020, the 40th anniversary of the current ISS was marked by a concert with the London Mozart Players hosted by Welsh broadcaster Aled Jones and a special feature on BBC One's Songs of Praise in which JB Gill interviewed current members. In October 2021, the ISS took part in a special service on BBC Radio 4 to commemorate World Mental Health Day.

Discography

The ISS has released a number of recordings, including some collaborations with notable brass bands, including the International Staff Band, Household Troops Band and Cory Band. Most of the group's recordings are produced and distributed by SP&S, although compilation albums featuring the music of the ISS have also been produced by Metro and Hallmark Records. In 1988, the ISS performed much of the soundtrack of the Anglia Television series Marching as to War with Roy Castle.

Associated groups

Founded in 1891, the International Staff Band (ISB) is the premier brass band of the Salvation Army. Also based in London, the ISB regularly performs with the ISS at Salvation Army events in the UK.

Between 1960 and 1968, a Salvation Army female vocal group called the National Songsters operated in London.

The ISS has served as a model for the establishment of other 'Staff Songsters' which fulfil a similar function to the ISS and represent the Salvation Army in various countries, territories, and cities around the world:

References

1. "INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS AND THE CLYDEBANK SALVATION ARMY – Early Day Motions – UK Parliament". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
2. Gariepy, Henry (2009). Christianity in action : the international history of the Salvation Army. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. ISBN 978-0-8028-4841-3. OCLC 368048440.
3. ^ "Aled Jones hosts Salvation Army choir's 40th birthday concert". Rhinegold. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
4. Redfern, Aimi (16 August 2020). "Trentham Gardens proves a stunning backdrop for Songs of Praise". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
5. "BBC Radio 4 – Sunday Worship". BBC. 21 January 2010.
6. "BBC Radio 4 – Sunday Worship, 12/02/2012". BBC. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
7. "BBC Radio 4 – Sunday Worship, I am with you". BBC. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
8. Lt-Col Jonathan Roberts (10 March 2020). "The General praises influence, message and excellence of International Staff Songsters at 40th anniversary concert'".
9. ^ "ISS Recordings". The Salvation Army. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
10. Blyth, Andrew James (2015). Music practice within The Salvation Army its History, Significance and Relevance in the 21st Century. Salford: University of Salford.
11. "Provost pays tribute to work of the Salvation Army". Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
12. "International Staff Songsters wow West". Caring Magazine. 9 May 2003. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
13. THQ, The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory. "International Staff Songsters lead Easter weekend services in Melbourne". Others Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
14. "The International Staff Songsters in New Zealand". New Zealand Choral Federation Inc. 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
15. ^ "International Staff Songsters hold 40th anniversary concert". New Frontier Chronicle. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
16. ^ "International Staff Songsters". The Salvation Army. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
17. "Celebrating Christmas with the Salvation Army". Royal Albert Hall. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
18. "BBC Radio 4 – Daily Service". BBC. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
19. "BBC Radio 4 – Sunday Worship". BBC. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
20. ^ "BBC One – Songs of Praise, Celebrating the Salvation Army". BBC. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
21. "BBC One – Songs of Praise, Trentham Gardens". BBC. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
22. "Why We Sing | The Salvation Army". www.salvationarmy.org.uk. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
23. "ISS Leadership Team | The Salvation Army". www.salvationarmy.org.uk. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
24. ^ "Records of the Salvation Army International Staff Band (ISB) and International Staff Songsters (ISS)". The Salvation Army International Heritage Centre. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
25. "International Staff Songsters". Derby Daily Telegraph. 6 February 1915.
26. Sandall, Robert (1947–1973). The history of the Salvation Army. Arch R. Wiggins, Frederick Lee Coutts. London: T. Nelson. ISBN 0-17-144045-5. OCLC 7754791.
27. "Salvation Army Music: International Staff Songsters in Sarum". The Salisbury Times. 7 June 1907.
28. "Special visit of the International Staff Songsters". Croydon Chronicle and East Surrey Advertiser. 6 January 1912.
29. Shaw, Bernard (1981). Shaw's music : the complete musical criticism in three volumes. Dan H. Laurence. New York: Dodd, Mead. ISBN 0-396-07967-9. OCLC 8013163.
30. Cohen, Susan (2013). The Salvation Army. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. ISBN 978-0-7478-1423-8. OCLC 1021810981.
31. Bearcroft, Norman (2010). In Good Company. London: Salvation Army. ISBN 978-0854128266.
32. "Death of Lieut-Colonel Norman Bearcroft". 4barsrest. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
33. Brown, A (12 January 1980). "'The message will be the all-important element,' says General Arnold Brown". The Musician. p. 1.
34. "International Staff Songsters 40 years". www.salvationarmy.org.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
35. "BBC Radio 4 – Sunday Worship, Search me O God and know my heart". BBC. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
36. "The International Staff Songsters". Discogs. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
37. "SP&S Official Website". SP&S. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
38. Roy Castle And The Salvation Army – Marching As To War (1988, Vinyl), retrieved 9 September 2021
39. "National Songsters - Maureen Daveys - 1968 - Regal Zonophone". www.regalzonophone.com. Retrieved 27 June 2022.

External links

• Official website
• Video on YouTube
• International Staff Songsters on Facebook
• International Staff Songsters on Twitter

• Church choirs
• British choirs
• English choirs
• London choirs
• Musical groups from London
• The Salvation Army