Govan Citadel Songsters

Monday 20th December 2010
Tonight saw a group of songsters visit the Littleinch Nursing Home in Inchinnan where we presented a short programme of favourite carols, also featuring out timbrels. Whilst the songsters were at the Nursing Home a brass ensemble from our band visited Littleinch Nursing Home Erskine playing to the residents of which one is Mrs McIvor, mum of May Gemmell. Following this we gathered in fellowship at the home of Alistair & Carol Macfarlane.

Sunday 19th December 2010
Tonight saw our traditional Corps Family Carol Service, and despite the heavy snow outside we still had a capacity congregation.
The evening organised by our Songster Leader got of to a fantastic start with our singing company standing round the advent candles singing, 'Somewhere in my memory' from the movie 'Home Alone',which also featured Alex Ramsay, Cornet & Joanne Ramsay, Flute. They followed this with the energetic 'Christmas Crackers'. The YP Band took centre stage giving a good performance of ' Christmas is coming' & the evening featured 3 timbrel groups, our seniors, juniors and an addition this year the tweenies. Singing Company member, Lauren Hay sang with clarity 'Hope in Heaven'. The congregation sharing in many of the traditional carols led by Commissioner Keith Banks. The band presented Colonel Ray Steadman Allen's, 'Joyous Carillon' and the songsters the challenging 'Holy is He' which featured songster Elanor O'May as soloist. Before our young people presented the Nativity, Singing Company Leader Matt Ramsay, gave an inspirational performance of 'O Holy night', bringing a tremendous atmosphere to the evening. Commissioner Keith Banks bringing the evening to a conclusion with a challenging 'thought for the road'.

Sunday 12th December 2010
The songsters were delighted for the second year in succession to be present at Glasgow Airport where we sang Christmas Carols in the departure lounge. Many travellers stopped and listened and we pray that our ministry will have allowed them to think of the 'real resaon for the season'.

21st November 2010
This w/e saw our band travel to Tulliallan to share in a Musical & Spiritual retreat. Our guests for the w/e were Captain Alistair Mann
Glasgow West (Spiritual) & Bandmaster Jonny Corry, Enfield (Brass). The theme for the w/e was 'Heart of Worship' and over the course of the two days many opportunities were given for us to work within our sections in the band to team build, Spritually, musically and in fun situations.
The band played a prominent part in our worship today, in the Holiness meeting featuring the challenging 'I need Thee', played with sensitivity and emotion, blessing all who gathered. Testimonies from bandsmen were challenging as was the message from Captain Mann. The songsters presenting 'Somebody's prayin' featuring Audrey Ramsay.
The afternoon meeting was led by Bandmaster William McMeeking, the band presenting, 'Mighty to save','Arise my soul,Arise', 'French' and 'Prelude on Tallis'. The songsters supported by singing ' Jesus is Alive'.

Saturday 9th October 2010
Last night and today saw us record our third CD, which is to be called 'We Preach Christ'. Like our two previous recordings this was yet another incredible experience, under the professional guidance of Brian Hilson. On this recording we present 18 new & old songs, which include, 'A Jubilant Song', 'Breathe', 'Divine Right', 'We Preach Christ', 'Count Your Blessings' 'He Leadeth me', 'His Provision', 'The Christian Mission', and feature soloists Moira Wilson in 'Nothing but Thy Blood' and Matt Ramsay in 'Arms Open Wide'. We say a massive thank you to Brian Allan (Bellshill) & Yvonne Ferguson (Bellshill) for their accompaniments, and Joanne Ramsay (Govan) for her talents on flute. We look forward to launching this CD in the Spring of 2011.

Wednesday 29th September 2010
Tonight saw the long awaited visit to Govan of the Melbourne Staff Songsters. The songsters 12 day tour of the UK is themed 'God is....'
and this concert filled with variety, left the capacity congregation in no doubt of their commitment and devotion to Christ. The songsters introduced to the congregation a number of new songs, 'Our God is good'. 'How do we give thanks', Lord listen to your children', 'This is the day' & 'Inhabit our Praise'. The second half of the programme saw the group feature 4 individuals in a drama, interlinked with songs, which showed every day difficulties we can experience in life but how these can change when we allow Christ into our lives and take control. As the capacity congregation left the hall the air of expectancy & excitement was still evident.

Monday 20th September 2010
In our prepeartions for our forthcoming CD, God's presence was felt in our rehearsal. We were saddened to learn of the sudden Promotion to Glory, of Karen Kissack, sister-in-law of songster Norma Kilgour, a period of prayer for the family was the centre piece of the rehearsal. Songster Alex Williams led our devotional period and this was a very personal moment for Alex and the songsters.

Monday 23rd August 2010
Tonight saw our annual visit to Glasgow West Corps, and yet again we were thrilled to see a capacity congregation share in the evening, which took the form of a cafe church. The songsters opening with 'A Jubilant Song before presenting the beautiful 'Breathe' which had the added enhancement of dance from Songster Elanor O'May. Other contributions from the songsters included, 'Hallowed by Your name', 'To God be the Glory', 'Obedience', & 'The Christian Mission'. Soloist for the evening were, Fraser Ramsay, Horn who played 'Demelza' and Brian Allan, piano, presenting a beautiful arrangement of 'Just as I am'. Songster Sergeant Elma Stewart spoke on 'RESTORATION',with the songsters singing 'My Shepherd' & 'Divine Right'. The songster timbrels presented a display to 'Sandi Patti's 'Let there be Praise'.

Sunday 27th June 2010
We arrived at the hall early for our first March of Witness, along Oxford Street, before holding our morning open air service. A large cosmopolitan congregation gathered for our Holiness meeting, which had the theme 'Rhythms of Grace'. Commissioner Keith lead the meeting in his own impecable style and brought immense challenge which saw nine people kneel in rededication to God. The songsters featured 'Grace Alone' and 'Somebody prayed for me', during a period of Intercessory Prayer. A feature of this meeting was the singing of Commissioner Keith's chorus, 'Rhythms of Grace'.

Following lunch, we lined up in the foyer of the 'Rink' before marching out in style to the very hot (90 deg), Oxford Street. To see the busy London traffic halted and thousands of people stop to listen, video and photograph the Army, was something that will NEVER be forgotten by the songsters. What an honour and privilege it was to minister in this way as we shared with the thousands of shoppers and tourists.
Despite there being another attraction (England v Germany) on TV, a large congregation gathered for our final festival of the weekend.
The songsters presented 'A Jubilant Song', 'Hallowed be your name' , 'To God be the Glory' and 'Precious Jesus'. It was also a delight to sing two songs with the composers in attendance, 'Obedience' (Major John Martin) and 'I believe' (Commissioner Keith Banks).
Soloists featured were Fraser Ramsay (Tenor Horn), who played 'A Living Prayer', Lorna McIntyre - 'Through it all I choose to serve the Saviour' and Matt Ramsay - 'Suddenly'. Major John Martin conducted the massed songsters in Len Ballantine's, 'And you will be my Witnesses', before Govan Songsters conclued the weekend with the appropriate 'The Christian Mission'.

This was a fantastic weekend in the history of Govan Songsters and one that will be remembered for evermore. We thank our hosts at Regent Hall for their organisiation and superb welcome.

Saturday 26th June 2010
As we gathered at Glasgow Airport at 8.30am the excitement was evident as we set off for our visit to London, and Regent Hall.
Arriving at Stansted on time, we were warmly greeted by S/Ldr Major John Martin & D/S/Ldr Mark, and then set off on our coach trip to central London, with John and Mark acting as 'tour guides'. On arriving at 'The Rink' we found ourselves with a few hours 'free time', where some took in some sight seeing and shopping, others enjoyed lunch or a coffee followed by some time to put their feet up.

The festival commenced with the songsters marching in to 'Montreal Citadel' played by the Regent Hall Band, who gave superb support throughout the weekend. The songsters opened with 'God of my Praise' followed by 'This Day' and then proclaimed why they were at Regent Hall for the weekend in singing 'We Preach Christ'
The guest soloists for the evening, Anna Lamplough (saxophone) and Dudley Bright (Trombone) showed expertise in their respective instruments and between solos shared their own experience. Executive Officer, Commissioner Keith Banks, brought great challenge in his word, focusing on the song 'Arms open wide' which featured Matt Ramsay. Other soloists from the brigade were Elanor O'May who presented a superb performance of 'They could not', Moira Wilson - 'Make His praise glorious' and Audrey Ramsay 'He had to hold to Calvary'.
We were honoured to have share with us in the congregation our new Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Barry Swanson with Commissioner Sue Swanson, Commissioner Bill Cochrane, and former Commanding Officers, Commissioners Robin & Shona Forsyth.

Sunday 20th June 2010
This weekend saw us celebrate the retirement, following 40 years of leadership, of Singing Company Leader, Clare Williams.
Last night commenced with a celebration meal attended by many former Singing Company members, before an almost capacity hall
enjoyed an excellent evening of music making provided by our singing company. Memories of Clare's leadership were shared by present & former members and Singing Company soloists past and present excelled.

The special guest for the weekend, former member, Lt Clare Allman, led a thought provoking Holiness meeting, where we were challenged to never take our eyes of Jesus, and to follow him in all that we do. The afternoon meeting saw the Singing Company
share songs that have been used over the years of Clare's leadership. We also witnessed the enrollment of new 7 Junior Musicians and also the Commissioning of our new Singing Company Leader Matt Ramsay. We pray God's blessing on Matt as he understakes this role and his ministry with the young people. Matt will be supported by newly appointed Junior Musician's Sergeant, Grace Baxter, YPSM Laura Kilgour and CYS Lorna McIntyre.

Monday 7th June 2010
Tonight saw our annual trip to present a programme at Auchlochan, Lesmahagow. The beautiful setting saw an almost packed room where the Songsters were able to sing songs recently added to their repertoire. Songs included: 'Hallowed Be Your Name', 'A Jubilant Song', 'To God Be the Glory'. Other songs included 'Arms Open Wide' featuring Matt Ramsay, 'My Life Must be Christ's Broken Bread' and 'We Preach Christ'. YPBL Fraser Ramsay sensitively thrilled the audience with the Tenor Horn solo, 'A Living Prayer', a song that was made famous by singer, Alison Krauss. Guest Speaker Lt. Colonel Robert McIntyre inspired and blessed the congregation with words about being gracious to others,the Songsters appropriately presented the beautiful 'Grace Alone'. After the programme, the Songsters were grateful of the hospitality provided by former Songsters Malcolm and Anza Cassidy in their lovely home.

Sunday 25th April
We have just experienced a fantastic weekend with The International Staff Band. The w/e commenced with an 'Army' music day on Saturday,organised by our band & held at Paisley Citadel. Four bands, Govan,West Scotland Fellowship, Clydebank & Bellshill all presented hour long programmes. The large audience who gathered were treated to a feast of various music. The Saturday evening saw a 55o audience at Paisley Town Hall share in a concert filled with exciting music including 'Turris Fortissima', Variations on a Celestial Theme' and ' Seize the Day', plus exquisite solos from Derick Kane & Richard Woodrow.

Monday 12th April 2010
We are sorry to hear of the Promotion to Glory of Former Govan Bandsman Phil Robinson. We think about Phil's son Ian and the rest of the family at this time.

Saturday 6th March 2010
Tonight saw us share in our annual YP Spring Festival - organsied by our YP Band leader Fraser Ramsay & Singing Company Leader Clare Williams we shared in an evening of celebration and musical excellence. Our special guests this year were Vocalist Songster Victoria Ramsay (Winton) & Euphonium soloist David Taylor - Birmingham Citadel. Fittingly the programme was excellently compered by Allan Ramsay, former bandmaster of Govan Citadel Band, who commenced his musical training as a YP Band & Singing Company Member at Govan.

Saturday 13th February 2010
The commencement of our festval at Clydebank was delayed to allow additional seats to be added to accomodate the capacity congregation. The songsters in fine form opened with 'God of my Praise' before Songster Audrey Ramsay sang 'Somebody's prayin', the brigade then confirming their purpose in singing 'We Preach Christ'. We were delighted to have the support of Clydebank Band and songsters, with the songsters joining us in singing 'From the first halleujah' conducted by S/Ldr Bette Mcfarlne and then later the classic Eric Ball song 'In the secret of Thy Presence'. Soloists included Moira Wilson (Vocal), Fraser Ramsay (Horn) & Matt Ramsay (Vocal) with the timbrels presenting 'Let there be Praise' Executive Officer Commissioner Keith Banks spoke of God's greatest love for us, giving his one and only son who showed his love with his 'Arms open Wide'.The evening concluded with Lt Colonel Steadman Allen's 'The Christian Mission' and benediction in song,Barrie Gott's 'My life must be Christ's broken bread'.

Sunday 7th February 2010
It is with great sadness that we announce the Promotion to Glory of retired Songster and Over 60's Secretary Mary Macfarlane. We remember Alistair, George and the rest of the family in our prayers at this time. This weekend saw the funeral and thanksgiving service for Mary with the songsters contributing Albert Osborne / Eric Ball's classic 'In the secret of Thy presence'. Songster Soloist Matt Ramsay sang one of his Aunt Mary's favourites, 'In the Garden' creating a beautiful atmosphere to the meeting.

Tuesday 12th January 2010
It is with great sadness we announce that Former Songster Francis Nobbs was Promoted to Glory.