Mountain Citadel Band of
The Salvation Army
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1

These ancient words, written by the Psalmist define the purpose of the Mountain Citadel Band (MCB) of The Salvation Army. The band is made up of amateur players of all ages and walks of life who share a common bond in both their love for God and their willingness to serve Him. Each player is a Christian and calls The Salvation Army their church home.

The Mountain Citadel Band was formed when two smaller churches, the Westmount Corps and Mount Hamilton Corps, successfully amalgamated in 1990. Prior to this event, both corps had well established banding traditions. When the newly formed corps opened on October 15 th , 1994., the band was under the baton of Bandmaster Reginald Downer.

In October of 2000, Philip Rayment was appointed the third bandmaster of the Mountain Citadel Band. Under his leadership, the MCB initiated its annual Blazing Brass concert series and soon recorded its first CD, entitled A Christmas Collage. Blazing Brass has now successfully completed its sixth year and has resulted in sending several young people to music camp to further their musical education and introduce them to the joy of ministry. The band also keeps busy with a regular schedule of worship services, concerts, parades and weekly rehearsals. A second CD recording is currently underway and due to be released in 2007.

The main focus of the MCB is its place in God's ministry. Sunday mornings are not only a chance to participate in a worship service but also to visit with shut-ins and play for residents at local nursing homes. Each bandmember views his or herself as a Minister of Music and strives to reflect God's presence in their daily lives.

Whether on the concert stage or the street corner, the band's purpose is the same: to spread God's message of hope and to bring glory to His name.