Promotional material

If you are hosting a visit of the Melbourne Staff Band you can use the following material to promote your events.

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MELBOURNE STAFF BAND BIOGRAPHY (SUMMARY)

The Melbourne Staff Band has been sharing the Gospel through brass music since 1890. What began as a small, inexperienced group has grown into a world-class ensemble, recognised internationally for its musical excellence and unwavering mission.

Guided by God every step of the way, the MSB remains committed to finding innovative and powerful ways to share the message of Jesus. Whether in concert halls, on recordings, or on the streets, our passion is the same: to glorify God and inspire others through the gift of music.

MELBOURNE STAFF BAND BIOGRAPHY (FULL)

The story of the Melbourne Staff Band (MSB) is one of God’s faithfulness, vision, and transformation. When the band was first formed in 1890 at the request of Commissioner Thomas B. Coombs, its beginnings were anything but polished. Staff Bandmaster Jeremiah Eunson gathered together eight officers, three comrades, and Willie the messenger from The Salvation Army’s Territorial Headquarters — most of them with little or no musical experience. Eunson, the only trained musician, took on the task of arranging the music, training the players, and conducting the group. Early reviews were modest, with one 1890 report humorously noting that the band “managed to get over one tune successfully while Major Barritt begged for the collection!”

But progress was rapid. By 1899, when the MSB travelled interstate to support the visit of General William Booth, reporters were already praising its “spirited playing, perfect harmony and brilliant execution of the music.” Since then, across more than 135 years, the band has undergone six name changes and been led by eleven Staff Bandmasters, yet its commitment to excellence and ministry has remained unchanged.

The MSB has often been at the forefront of innovation. By 1924 it was broadcasting on radio, in 1929 it produced its first recording, and in 1959 it embarked on its first overseas tour to New Zealand. Under the leadership of Staff Bandmaster Colin Woods, the band’s reputation grew on the world stage, most notably during the 1978 UK tour and The Salvation Army’s International Congress in London, where composer Kevin Norbury described the MSB as “the finest Army band I’ve heard in the last 10 years.” Staff Bandmaster Ken Waterworth led the band through an era where a new approach was required, introducing the well regarded ‘routines’. These routines once again put the band at the forefront of innovation and are still talked about to this day.

Over the decades, the MSB’s international influence has expanded through tours across the UK, Europe, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, and Korea. Recordings remain a regular feature of its ministry, but they are never the ultimate goal. The heart of the band’s work continues to be its service: supporting major Salvation Army events, partnering with leading musicians from Australia and abroad, and bringing the Gospel to life in towns and cities across the nation, whether in concert halls, corps buildings, or on the streets.

Through every chapter of its history, one truth has remained constant: God has been at the centre, guiding and sustaining the Melbourne Staff Band. While proud of its history and tradition, the MSB presses forward with the same conviction it was founded upon — that music can be a powerful and innovative way to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With every note played, the band seeks to glorify God, proclaim his love, and offer a relevant and living message of hope to today’s world.

 Mark Hamilton – Staff Bandmaster

Mark Hamilton was appointed Staff Bandmaster of the Melbourne Staff Band in 2025, bringing with him a deep history and passion for the ministry of brass music. Over the years, Mark has played a vital role within the MSB as a baritone, solo horn, and euphonium player, experiences that have shaped both his musicianship and his understanding of the band’s mission.

Alongside his commitment to the MSB, Mark has faithfully served as Bandmaster of Ringwood Corps for more than 12 years. His leadership there has been marked by a consistent pursuit of excellence — not for its own sake, but as an offering of worship and honour to God.

Now stepping into the leadership of the Melbourne Staff Band, Mark has issued a clear call: a call for courage. He believes the band is to be courageous in faith, courageous in innovation, and courageous in its ongoing mission to share the Gospel through music. Under his direction, the MSB continues to build on its rich history while embracing new opportunities to share Christ’s message in creative and impactful ways.