Adelaide Congress Hall honours long-serving bandmaster
- deansimpson7
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
BY ANTHONY CASTLE
Adelaide Congress Hall (City Salvos Church) has honoured Rod Carger for his 45 years of service to the corps band, including more than 35 years as bandmaster.
Rod was presented with a Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Service (awarded by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and presented by Corps Officer Captain Paul Lorimer) during a recent meeting.
“I am so grateful for Rodney’s humble and faithful leadership,” said South Australia/Northern Territory Divisional Commander Major Paul Hateley. “And for the sacrifice Carolyn Carger has given over many years as she released her husband into this ministry.”
The role of bandmaster is one that takes responsibility for the work of a Salvation Army brass band and supports the spiritual development of the musicians.
Rod, a senior leader at the corps, has volunteered in the life and work of the church for decades, conducting the band on Sundays and serving the homeless community during the week.
The corps Facebook site stated: “We thank him for his dedication, service, passion, composing, transposing, arranging, patience, planning, wisdom, leadership and support of this group of musicians.”
Meantime, Adelaide Congress Hall hosted the Melbourne Staff Band for the Bands in the Round event on Saturday 17 May, under the leadership of new bandmaster Mark Hamilton.
The Bands in the Round event also featured performances by Adelaide Congress Hall Band, Arndale Corps Band, Ingle Farm Corps Band, North East Salvos Band, Melbourne Staff Band, and younger musicians from Just Brass. The musicians combined for a massed band performance conducted by Mark Hamilton.
On Sunday 18 May, Rod Carger had the honour of conducting the Melbourne Staff Band in the devotional hymn, ‘My Jesus I love thee I know thou art mine.’
“Staff Bandmaster Mark Hamilton spoke about when he was a young man that Rod encouraged him by allowing him to conduct the Adelaide Congress hall band in a piece,” said Captain Paul Lorimer. “And so now, as Staff bandmaster, Mark asked Rod to conduct the Melbourne Staff band in a piece.”
The Salvation Army Adelaide is a welcoming church in the heart of the city that aims to love Adelaide as Jesus does. CitySalvos hosts worship gatherings, Bible studies, children’s programs, DUO groups, and offers a range of emergency relief, financial counselling, and budgeting services.
