Mission Statement:

The Divisional Fellowship Band is comprised of Salvationist and like-minded musicians, predominantly seniors, committed to sharing fellowship and music making, and to presenting entertaining and inspirational music to our listeners.

Objectives:

1. 1.To enjoy and perform music that is entertaining and spiritually challenging in order to glorify God.
   

2. 2.To foster and maintain good fellowship, companionship and spiritual growth among the members of the band.
   

3. 3.To provide a resource for The Salvation Army and other organisations to be utilised where a performance of both sacred and popular secular band music is appropriate.

The band is a Salvation Army fellowship band based in Brisbane, Australia and providing concerts and other services throughout South East Queensland.

In the beginning....

For several years prior to the band’s formation, Major Jean Buckmaster and Maurice Bull independently recognised the potential benefits of such a band. Their combined efforts resulted in the establishment of the band in May 2002, with Maurice Bull as bandmaster. Initially there were 12 members. Current membership is approx. 60 men and women.

Adding a touch of class

In 2005 it was decided to add a unique aspect to the band with the formation of a Timbrel Brigade. Timbrel Leader Annette Hooper leads this group and it is a very important inclusion, adding variety and spectacle to the concerts as the brigade performs to the accompaniment of the band.

Changing of the guard

In December 2006 Maurice Bull retired and for nine years the band came under the leadership of Bandmaster Ray Simpson. Daryl O’Donoghue was Deputy Bandmaster till 2013 when he retired from this duty but continues to lead the male voice group. At the end of 2015, the Bandmaster’s baton was passed on to the former deputy Bandmaster, David Wilson. Kevin Brown is currently the deputy Bandmaster.

David Wilson retired in June 2022 and our current Bandmaster is Martin Rowden. With the retirement of Daryl O’Donoghue Garry Rule took over the leadership of the male voice group called Men in Harmony.

Music for the masses

The band performs sacred and secular music chosen to entertain the audiences. Invitations to participate in Christmas Carol Services and visits to seniors groups and retirement complexes are appreciated. The band has also provided music in parks and gardens around Brisbane and is seeking to increase its involvement in similar events. Vocal solos and elocutionary items add further variety to the programs. Importantly, an appropriate devotional segment prepared by the Band Chaplain is routinely part of each concert.

On the Kings Highway

The band has done trips further afield including weekends in Rockhampton and Yeppoon , Maryborough , Bundaberg Hervey Bay Coffs Harbour & Nambour which were very successful. By clicking on “Calendar” one can get a good picture of the band’s activities over the year. The band is interested in expanding its horizons into other areas of service and expressions of interest are welcomed.