So much more than Just Brass
So much more than Just Brass
6 March 2017
Jacaranda Brass is just one of many expressions of the Just Brass program across Australia.
From humble beginnings at South Barwon Corps in Geelong, The Salvation Army’s Just Brass program has spread across Australia and beyond our shores, impacting corps and communities alike. It
ORANGE
Orange Corps, in central western NSW, was the second corps to start Just Brass after then-Corps Officer, Major Greg Saunders, was inspired by what was happening at South Barwon.
He started with 18 students from the local public school, and four years on the program comprises three bands with links to three schools and 54 students. Major Saunders moved on from the corps at the beginning of 2015 but the program is still thriving under Megan Hodsdon, the Just Brass coordinator.
“The program has brought a lot of young people into our corps on Sundays,” says Megan, “and we now have a monthly youth group.” In the past year four junior soldiers have been enrolled at Orange, three of whom came from the Just Brass program and were not connected with the corps prior to their involvement.
In keeping with the South Barwon model, the corps sends music tutors into the schools to teach students. Once a week, the students come to the corps for band practice. Weekly homework includes practising their musical pieces as well as memorising a Scripture verse and a challenge to live out its message practically.
NAMBOUR
When Major Saunders left Orange in 2015 to take up a new appointment at Nambour Corps, it wasn’t long before he started to hear some familiar questions from corps members. “Like in Orange, people were asking: how can we connect with our community? What have we got to offer them?” he remembers. “So, I suggested what I had seen working with Just Brass.”
Building a partnership with nearby Burnside Primary School, the corps has established a program with 20 children from the school and another five from the corps. “Our role is to build relationships with the kids and the family and we try to be ourselves and pray for the right words at the right time,” says Major Saunders.
“But it’s always relationship first. For me, music is like giving the kids a toe in the water of the great ocean of God.” At the end of the year, the corps combined their Mainly Music ministry with Just Brass for an end-of-year concert, drawing more than 120 children, parents and friends. “This year I have seen the corps come alive,” says Greg. “We have 20 families who are now connected to our church that 12 months ago we didn’t have.”
GRAFTON
Another expression of Just Brass is at Grafton Corps, in northern NSW. They call their program Jacaranda Brass. “All the public schools in our area have a music program, but the Christian school where my daughters attend, didn’t. So we started there,” said former Grafton Corps Officer, Major Colin Young, who saw the program grow to involve 25 students and partnerships with three public schools.
This year, the band was part of Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival for the first time, marching in the street parade. “The program has encouraged the corps to look outside itself,” says Major Young. “We are beginning to understand we can no longer expect people to come to us if we want them to hear the good news of Jesus – we have to go out and build relationships.”
REDCLIFFE
Redcliffe City Corps launched its Just Brass program mid-last year at Kippa-Ring State School, starting with 11 band members drawn from Grade 4. At the end of the year the corps held an afternoon tea and carols event, at which the band played.
“Every band member had brought someone with them,” says program coordinator Robyn Mead, a retired music teacher. “And all those who have been involved last year are returning to the program in 2017. That says to me that it’s working. This program is all about giving kids a sense of belonging and teamwork”.
Just Brass is expected to open six new programs around Australia in 2017. For more information visit sarmy.org.au/Ministry/JustBrass
Read our previous article on Just Brass.
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