International Staff Songsters


The International Staff Songsters 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.
WWW salvationarmy.org.uk/inte...𝕏 theiss_sa

Structure and purpose

The ISS is a mixed-voice 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 formally established in March 1897 by an official minute issued by Bramwell Booth, the Salvation Army's Chief of the Staff. Although the group had been functioning unofficially since 1892, this marked its official recognition as the Salvation Army's first authorised choir, preceding the formation of the first local songster brigade in Penge by a year. Prior to this, several unofficial Salvation Army choirs had already begun to emerge across England and Scotland in the early 1890s. The ISS was composed of staff of the organisation's International Headquarters in London and the chief of the accounts department, Herbert Jackson, was appointed the first leader.
Undertaking 'campaigns' on weeknights and every third weekend, by 1912 it was reported that the ISS had travelled 25,000 miles and sung to audiences totalling more than one million 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 abruptly disbanded in 1928 due to "members' conflict of duties" with their headquarters roles. Despite also comprising headquarters employees, the International Staff Band was permitted to continue.

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. Although membership was no longer confined to International Headquarters staff, the original name was retained. 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 12 years. The group has subsequently had a further four leaders: Len Ballantine, Peter Ayling, Andrew Blyth, and Dorothy Nancekievill.
The ISS has performed at the Royal Albert Hall more than 60 times and remains a perennial performer at the Hall for Celebrating Christmas with the Salvation Army, which is frequently broadcast on BBC Radio. 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.
DateLeaderDiscography
1897–1922Herbert Jackson–
1922–1928Railton Howard–
1980–1992Norman BearcroftIntroducing... the International Staff Songsters
1980–1992Norman BearcroftSo This Is It...My Day For Living
1980–1992Norman BearcroftAll God's Creatures Sing
1980–1992Norman BearcroftBe Of Good Cheer
1980–1992Norman BearcroftOn Reflection
1980–1992Norman BearcroftChristmas Greetings
1980–1992Norman BearcroftThe Spirit of the Army
1980–1992Norman BearcroftThe International Staff Songsters of The Salvation Army
1980–1992Norman BearcroftAlleluia
1980–1992Norman BearcroftUnto the Lord
1980–1992Norman BearcroftThe Power and the Glory
1992–1998Len BallantineLet It Shine
1992–1998Len BallantineMoment By Moment
1992–1998Len BallantineMore than Wonderful
1992–1998Len BallantineSing for Joy
1992–1998Len BallantineLet The Morning Bring...
1992–1998Len BallantineSing Noel
1992–1998Len BallantineIf... Then
1998–2001Peter AylingDistant Shores
1998–2001Peter AylingIn The Army
2001–2003Andrew BlythIn This Quiet Moment
2001–2003Andrew BlythUntil The End Of Time
2001–2003Andrew BlythTotal Praise!
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillRest
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillA Greater Wonder
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillThe Gift
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillGrace Alone
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillFreedom
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillPraise His Name
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillIntroit
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillKnow My Heart
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillHeart Songs
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillThe Power
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillIn The Name of the Lord
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillHeart Songs Volume II
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillSing to the Lord – 20th Anniversary
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillGood News!
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillA Choral Symphony
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillMy Lord Has Come
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillCompelled by Love
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillAnastasis
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillA Gowans Legacy
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillWhen Love was Born
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillA Gowans Legacy Volume ''II
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillRejoice in the Lord and Sing!
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillSymphony
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillBlessings
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillLord, You are the Song
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillAlpha & Omega
2003–presentDorothy NancekievillGod of the Deep''

Associated groups

Founded in 1891, the International Staff Band 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:
Staff SongstersLocationDate established
Amsterdam, Netherlands1956
Melbourne, Australia1987
Sydney, Australia1989
Aizawl, India2005
Tokyo, Japan2010
Los Angeles, United States2012
Toronto, Canada2016
New York, United States2018
Chicago, United States2020
Atlanta, United States2022