The Melbourne Staff Songsters in concert with the Melbourne Veterans Band and Ringwood Singing Company.Over 90 musicians ranging from 7–70 combined to form the ‘Talkin About Our Generation’ concert held at the Ringwood Salvation Army hall in Wantirna Road.

The concert was in two halves and the Melbourne Veterans Band under the baton of their Bandmaster Noel Jones opened the first half with the classic march “Wisbech Citadel”. The march provided the music for the traditional entrance of the Veterans Band flag and the Australian flag to be marched to the front of the hall and displayed throughout the concert. Melbourne Staff Songster John Anderson was invited to join the presentation of the colours by marching with the MSS flag and showed his obvious military training in his application to this ceremony!

The Melbourne Staff Songsters under their Songster Leader Brian Hogg sang a contrasting bracket “How Great is Your Love” & “This is Your House” which featured Craig Minty as the soloist.

Following an introduction and welcome from Major Howard Davies, the Ringwood Singing Company (leader Joanne Mapes) delighted the audience with their bracket of two songs. The first number “Power in the Blood” included choreography which added an infectious enthusiasm to the music as the children gave their all to this song.

It was both encouraging & impressive to see the deportment and high standard of singing from this young group which was formed less than a year ago. All 22 children (including the not-so-young who help with the group!) not only looked very smart in their polo tops but also conducted themselves extremely well. I’m sure the parents & grandparents in the audience would have felt rather proud of them.

The evening highlighted a contrast of music from the three groups with the children again charming the crowd with their songs “Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory”, “In His Time”, “He Was a Man” and “Church on Fire”.

The Vets Band presented a range of numbers which included an arrangement of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the well known musical Les Miserables. This was presented as a cornet solo by bandsman Arthur Withers and was arranged by Bandsman Ian Jones. A trombone ensemble was also another highlight of the bands repertoire for the evening.

The Staff Songsters gave an impressive performance with their contribution to the evening presenting a few numbers from their latest CD which is due for release in August. The contrast was again evident as the group moved through a number of styles from the technically demanding “Let All the World in every Corner Sing” to the beautifully reflective “You Alone” featuring soloist Julia Roper. This was the premier performance of this piece which was created by two talented Australian Salvationists from the Parramatta Corps in Sydney. Songster Leader Nicola Poore wrote the music to embellish the inspirational words from the pen of Songster Janet Muir.

A fun segment in the first half was a “Generation Gap Quiz” cleverly put together by MSS members Julia Roper and Melissa Kaus which saw four generations having their knowledge tested on each others generation. Singing Company member Eva Hamilton represented generation Z while Major Judith Soeters, Cassie Magor & Bandsman Ian Jones represented generation X, generation Y & the baby boomers respectively. There were many moments of hilarity especially with Mr Jones being on the panel!

The evening concluded with Commissioner James Knaggs praying a blessing on all who attended.

Sunday Morning started bright and early with the MSS arriving at Melbourne City Temple to share in a morning service with the 614 Corps. Our time with the people from 614 is always an inspiration as we share in a lively worship service. This visit, the Eastern Victorian Youth Choir joined us in worship with a combined number “Inhabit Our Praise” and two numbers by themselves ”When I Think of You” & “In the Light of Your Glory”. This is a musically impressive group and the quality of the young voices enhanced the music chosen by their leader Divisional Creative Arts Director Brian Hogg.

MSS member Craig Minty added to the praise element of the meeting with his lively rendition of the Richard Phillips arrangement of “Count your Blessings” played on the piano during the offering.

Major Judith Soeters preached from Isaiah 43 and reminded us of how precious we are to God. As people knelt in prayer the male members of the MSS sang the sensitive “Give Me Jesus”.

After the benediction the group enjoyed a lovely roast dinner and dessert before heading to the Melbourne Convention Centre for the farewell meeting for the Commissioners of the Australian Southern Territory James & Carolyn Knaggs.