'Hope through Music' is the phrase best associated with the new Red Shield Brass Band which has been formed in Chicago, Illinois.

The new ensemble is conducted by Dr. Jonathan Corry, Director of Music & Gospel Arts for The Salvation Army's Metropolitan Division, Chicago with the all important organisational impetus being led by avid brass bandsman Major John Aren.

Projects

The group is composed of freelance musicians from across Chicago alongside several past and present SA musicians who join together to enjoy quality music making and deliver high class concerts within the local community.

Rehearsals are mainly scheduled around specific projects which support and bring hope through music to people in less fortunate positions who cannot access live music making opportunities.

The group is composed of freelance musicians from across Chicago alongside several past and present SA musicians who join together to enjoy quality music making and deliver high class concerts within the local community4BR

Emotive music

Initial events have included themed concerts held at local Adult rehabilitation centers entitled 'Creepy Classics' — featuring 'spooky' themed music alongside music of light and hope, and 'Music of the Cross' , using multi-media presentations enhanced by emotive music from the pens of composers such as Dean Goffin, Morley Calvert, Eric Ball and Kenneth Downie.

Dr. Corry told 4BR: "The group consists of busy, professional people taking time out of their schedules to invest time in the lives of those less fortunate through various performance opportunities — reflecting the Red Shield Brass Band's motto Spero per musica — 'Hope through Music'."