The executive officer of the National Band Council of Australia, Allen Woodham, recently visited Medan, Indonesia, with a brass band colleague to assist a Salvation Army boys home, in their quest to develop the brass band there.

There are around 70 boys living at the home from the very young to around 18 years when they are obliged to move on.

Instruments

Many of the boys are keen about their music making and there was a dire need for some improvement in the standard of instruments available to them.

Albert Stewart volunteered for the cause and with Allen’s help 13 new instruments plus other assorted equipment was despatched to Medan with the assistance of various donors and local Rotary officials.

Training

The two then travelled to Medan and spent 5 days training the senior and junior band intensely and laying some ground work for items for their major concert in November.

They found some of the band members to be of a very proficient standard with the band able to play some first level Salvation Army music and although somewhat isolated their mentor Mr Bruce Gale, an Australian journalist based in Singapore, achieving substantial results with the efforts expended.

We are delighted that the boys now have some excellent equipment to encourage and motivate their efforts and it was an excellent example of helping our neighbours with their music making.Allen Woodham

Allen Woodham said, “The visit was an incredible experience and it was a real encouragement to see the dedication and application this group of young people extend to achieve in their music making.”

“We are delighted that the boys now have some excellent equipment to encourage and motivate their efforts and it was an excellent example of helping our neighbours with their music making."