Sunday 5 August 2007

Today brought a return to our normal two meeting Sunday format, with CSM David Gibb leading both meetings. A number of our young people also returned following a highly successfull Music School week. The Brigade contributed 'Somebody prayed for me' in our Holiness meeting and 'In Jusus Name' in our Praise and Salvation meeting when we delighted to be accompanied by Captain Janet Robson.

Saturday 30 June 2007

The Brigade were privileged to be part of City Sounds 07 at Newcastle City Temple. Also taking part were Sheffield Citadel Band (B/M) Keith Wileman) and Hayley Stubbs (ISS) under the Chairmanship of Col Trevor Davies. The Brigade contributed two songs together, God of My Praise and With Wings as Eagle, John Rutters beautiful 'Distant Land' was then sung to great effect. Our final contribution was In Jesus' Name and 'Jesus is Alive' before joining with Newcastle City Songsters, Sheffield Band, Hayley Stubb and Col Davies in Dean Goffins arrangement of Boundless salvation which brought the event to a wonderful climax.

Govan Songsters would like to take this opporunity to thank Denise, the Songster Secretary from Newcastle for her wonderful organisation and planning which brought this superb event together.

We regret that David Gibb will be standing down from the Brigade for the moment. Davids responsibilities as Corps Sergeant Major, in addition to his responsibilities as a Bandsman and Songster, have proved difficult to balance with his family and professional life.

Monday 25 June 2007

Our final rehearsal of the season took place tonight when the current brigade were joined by nearly thirty former songsters who still worship at the corps. Accompanied by Joyce Ramsay, songs included 'What a friend', 'His Provision', The Lords My Shepherd' and more. From our current repertoire the group sang 'War on the floor'. Following devotions led by Georgie and Linsey we met for refreshments and the compulsory strawberry tarts. We were also delighted to share in some of Laura Kilgours birthday cake on the occasion of her 21st birthday.

Sunday 24 June 2007

Our Holiness meeting this morning was led by David Gibb with Major Maisie Bellshaw delivering the address. The Songsters sang 'By Thy Hand'. Our evening meeting was led by Captain Stephen Poxon from Paisley Citadel and, at his request, the Brigade sang 'Total Praise'

Monday 18 June 2007

This evenings rehearsal concluded our preparations for Sounds of Joy 07 at Newcastle City Temple on the 30 June. Next weeks rehearsal will be our last before the summer break. We will be joined by a number of former Songsters who still worship at Govan. Our accompanists will both be former Songster Accompanists, (Former S/Ldr) Joyce Ramsay and Malcolm Cassidy. Plans for our programmes on our visit to Reading Central in October are being put in place, and a new item to our repertoire, Gabriel Faures' beautiful Cantique de Jean Racine is likely to be included, full details of the song have been added to the repertoire page.

Sunday 17 June 2006

Our Holiness meeting was led by a former commanding officer, Major Chris Connolly, and although Brigade numbers were slightly depleted with a few members taking part in Moonwalk for breast cancer research, the Brigade contributed 'Somebodys prayin'. Our evening Praise and salvation meeting was organised by our Cops worship group and led by Chic, with the Brigade singing 'Rock Eternal', and the Timbrels playing to Sandi Pattis' Let There Be Praise.

Friday 15 June 2007

The Brigade will change into summer uniform this weekend - in the forlorn hope that we actually have warm weather. Remember shirts and epaulets! As a reminder the picure on the welcome page has been changed!

Thursday 14 June 2007

The website has recorded its busiest week since coming online 18 months ago, and has been recorded hits from Canada, USA, Switzerland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Australia, Russia, China, and of course the UK. Thanks for your interest in Govan Songsters.

Sunday 10 June 2007

Our former commanding officers, Majors David and Ann Radford have now taken up their new appointment in Nottingham, and our new commanding officers do nor arrive until August. Our Holiness meeting was led by Majors Robert and Rita Pearce, with the brigade contributing 'What a friend'. Our evening Praise and Salvation was led by CSM David Gibb with the Bridage singing Wayne and Darren Bartletts 'My Strength Alone'.

Tuesday 5 June 2007

Rehearsals continued with further preparations for our visit to Newcastle City Temple on 30th June where we will join with Sheffield Citadel Band, Hayley Stubbs and Lt Col Trevor Davies for Temple Sounds '07. Work was done on Dean Goffins arrangement of the Founders O Boundless Salvation which will form the finale for the evening. We also look to expand our repertoire with some songs from the Musical Salvationist which the Brigade have not used for many years, however the quality of songs is such that it would be neglectful not to use them.

 We also look to develop more songs published by the Salvation Army to balance our repertoire which currently includes many songs either not published by the Army or awaiting publication.

Sunday 3 June 2007

The Brigade are not on duty today, our YP Anniversary weekend in meetings led by Captains Alistair and Lucy Mann from Glasgow West.

Our website has now past 40,000 hits since coming online in September 2005. We wish to thanks all who have shown an interest in Govan Songsters

Sunday 27 May 2007

Today was the farewell meeting led by Majors David and Ann Radford before they take up their new appointment in Nottingham. The brigade were pleased to contribute Richard Smallwoods 'Total Praise'. We were also delighted to witness the enrollment of a new soldier.

Saturday 26 May 2007

As Majors David and Ann Radford complete their appointment at Govan this weekend the Brigade would wish to thank them for their ministry during their time at Govan. David and Ann have been supportive to the Brigade and toured with us to Canada in 2005. Ann in particular will be missed from the soprano section and for her assistance with accompaniments. We wish them well in their appointment in Nottingham and pray that God will continue to use their ministry there to the extension of His kingdom.

Saturday 19 May 2007

The webmanagers ISP diffulties now appear to be a thing of the past(??). The Brigade were delighted to support Govan Bands 125th Anniversary Weekend which featured Michael R. Baker (cornet) and Aaron VanderWeele (euphonium) from the New York Staff Band.

The Brigade sang 'God of my praise' and With wings as eagles' together with a first rendition of John Rutters beautiful 'Distant Land' during the Saturday evening festival.

Sunday 13 May 2007

Our Candidates Sunday meetings were led by former COs Lt Colonels Cyril and Lila Halstead. The brigade sang Take My Life during our Holiness Meeting and All to Jesus during our salvation meeting. During our salvation meeting we recognised Major Maisie Bellshaw celebrating 50 years as a salvation Army Officer. We were also able to obtain a copy of Maisies sessional song for the Faithful Session which we sang as part of the meeting.

Apologies for the delay in updates. The webmanager is currnetly suffering ISP problems.

Sunday 6 May 2007

Being a holiday weekend our numbers were fewer than usual, however they were boosted by 'reservists' and former songsters who joined the Brigade to swell our numbers to nearly 40. The Brigade contributed 'Gods Moment' in our Holiness meeting which was led by Lt Colonels Tucker whilst Majors David and Ann are on holiday. There will be no rehearsal tomorrow due to the holiday weekend.

Monday 30 April 2007

Our rehearsal was curtailed tonight as we spent time marking the contribution of Cathie Jenkins following her recent retirement after being a member of Govan Songsters for 66 years. Chic Ramsay presented Cathie with a clock as a token of the Brigades respect and appreciation.

We also noted the contribution made to the Brigade by Major Ann Radford. Ann not only sang with the Brigade but was more than willing to assist with accompaniments when asked. We wish you and David well in your forthcoming appointment in Nottingham

Saturday 21 April 2007

The Songster Timbrels, with Govan Band and Kirkintilloch Male Voice Choir, took part in a festival in aid of Lenzie Union Churchs' mission to Kurdistan. The evening raised over £600 for the mission. The Timbrels played to 'Scottish Medley', Sandi Pattis 'Let there be Praise' and 'Victory' from Cry of the Celts.

Friday 20 April 2007

Next year a number of our Brigade will be visiting Ukraine for Vision of Hope 2008. In advance of this David Cochrane, along with David Ramsay from Winton Corps will be visiting Ukraine this weekend to plan next years visit. Throughout next week they will be visiting Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa, Donetsk and Kirovograd. We remember them both as they travel this week.

It was good to hear that Lily Reoch is home from hospital and recovering, with Walters help, at home. Julie Dow, however, remains in the Southern General Hospital.

Monday 16 April 2007

It was good to welcome three of our young people to our rehearsal tonight, Ashleigh Ferguson, Ruth Keachie and David Wilson. Welcome, and we hope that you will enjoy your time with the Brigade.

Friday 13 April 2007

S/Ldr Chic Ramsay travelled to Peterborough to do a 2nd edit on our new CD Carry the Light. The edit went very well with only a few amendments needed. BH Sound will now pepare a mastered CD and forward to us for approval before release of the CD for sale in June this year.

Remember to click on this link to nominate your favourite songster song if it does not already appear on the list above.

You can also click on the CD cover above to pre-order your copy of the new CD which will be delivered to you withing a couple of days of release. The CD will cost £13.95 + £1.00 post and packing.

Last night saw Commissioner Matear lead our Easter Festival, with Govan sections to the fore during our worship The Brigade sang Easter Tale and Written in Red whilst the drama group again provided an intense and thought provoking presentation.

Our Easter Morning service was again led my the Territorial Commander, and the Brigade featured 'Alive' which has the opening line 'Christ is alive', what better message for Easter Sunday. Corps sections again featured in our afternoon Festival of Grace, with the Brigade contributing 'Above All', 'Grace alone' and Jesus is Alive'

We thank Commissioner and Mrs Matear for their fine leadership which provided a weekend of worship which will be remembered for years to come.

Chic and Colin, along with soloists Moira and Elanor have had an opportunity to listen to the first edit of our new CD Carry the light, and Chic will meet with BH Sound this week to do a second edit. We are delighted with what we have heard and look forward to the CD release

Saturday 7 April 2007

Chic has received a copy of the first edit of the Songsters new CD Carry the Light from BH Sound Services. Chic and Colin will be listening to it over the next few days and Initial impressions are very positive. At the moment 14 of the 18 tracks have been edited, and Chic will travel to BH Sound next week to do a 'final polish' edit with them.

Tonight we look forward to our festival of Easter Priase led by the Territorial Commander.

Saturday 24 March 2007

The Brigade took part in a Concert of Gospel song at the Church of the Nazarene in Paisley in aid of Accord Hospital. Before a full Church the Brigade sang 'I feel like praisin Him', Come in to our world', With wings as Eagles', All to Jesus', Carry the light' and Jesus is alive'. The Timbrels also took part. The Brigade also sang massed items with St Matthews Church Choir and Sherwwod / Greenlaw Church Junior Choir. It was good to renew acquaintance with B/M Bobby Irvine and Ayr Band.

Sunday 18 March 2007

The Brigade was not on duty during our Holiness Meeting, however we contributed Andrew Blyths and Bill Hastings War on the Floor during our Praise and Salvation Meeting. A new Brigade History page has been added with images of the Brigade going back over 100 years. More will be added soon. The Webmanager would appreciate any information you may have about leaders, Commanding Officers, exact years etc.