Sydney Youth Band


The Sydney Youth Band of the Salvation Army is a brass band based in Sydney New South Wales, whose membership is that of people aged 13–30. It is primarily made up of Salvation Army members, including soldiers and others that attend The Salvation Army. It is a part of the Salvation Army's NSW/ACT Division but functions more as a regional youth band for the Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong area.

Performances and Tours

The band's tour of Chile in 2009 was launched at the Sydney East Illawarra Divisional rally at Sydney Congress Hall on 2 November 2008. The band was to play at the 'Centenary of the Salvation Army in Chile' celebrations from 22 July to 8 August 2009. This tour was cancelled in early 2009 and the band toured Papua New Guinea instead.
There exist no other cancelled international tours of the band.

Bandmasters

BandmasterPeriod Served
Graeme Press2001–2002
James Hill2002–2009
Joshua Mann2009–2013
Brad Lucas2014
Captain Peter Gott2015–2017
Ron Prussing2018–present

Ronald Prussing

Ronald J. Prussing is the current bandmaster of the Sydney Youth Band. After graduating from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 1974, Ronald was appointed to Principal Trombone in the Sydney Elizabethan Orchestra, currently known as the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. He held this position for two years. He was also appointed to Associate Principal Trombone of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra until 1986 when he was appointed to Principal. Ronald has been bandmaster to many bands, including the one and only Sydney Congress Hall Band. Ronald has had a very successful musical career, however his appointment to the Sydney Youth Band was a turning point in his career. Since becoming bandmaster of the Sydney Youth Band, Ronald has been quoted to have said "The Sydney Youth Band is sick. Fully Sick." as well as "We must be soul friends". Ronald has also undertaken a trip to Israel and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Band Executive

As of 31 July 2018 the SYB band executive is:
RoleName
BandmasterRonald J. Prussing
Leadership TeamJordan O'Brien, Linda Wells, Mackenzie Anderson
Executive OfficerMajor John Viles

Men's Timbrel Brigade

During a 2015 performance at Carindale Corps, Brisbane, several bandsmen became increasingly dismayed with the state of the band's musical proficiency, to the extent of appall. An unnamed bandsman abruptly strode forth mid-piece, and following a curt discourse with Bandmaster Peter Gott, himself and three others absented the platform, leaving the band in confused disarray. Then, amidst the uproar, the four marched back in, timbrels in hand, to the delight of the congregation and gasps of many, many admirers. The command, "PRESENT ARMS" was given, and four timbrels were extended in perfect unison. The world was subsequently treated to a timbrel performance unparalleled by any before it; the perfection of a craft until that point unmastered. Thus, to the dulcet tones of Timmy Trumpet's "Nightmare", the Brigadier Brigade was birthed. Despite calls to revolt and function as an independent divisional musical unit, the Brigade continues to serve as a section of the Sydney Youth Band, and is a highly anticipated component of their tour concerts.
The group knows upwards of four moves, including the iconic "Smacky-Smacky Loop-de-Loop". Controversially, it is said that many of these were actually choreographed by leaders of a "Timbrels 101" course run at The Salvation Army's EQUIP Youth Camp earlier in that year. Brigadesmen have refused to comment regarding this suggestion. Each performance is unique, with at least one and a half new moves. It is rumoured that the Brigade is experimenting with props.
The Brigade refuses to rehearse earlier than twenty-four hours prior to any performance. Hence, you will often find them rattling away through the early hours of a morning during band tours.
The Brigadier Brigade's motto is "Live, Blood, Love, Fire, Fight", a mixture of the Army's motto "Blood And Fire" and the popular Australian Territory hashtag, "Live, Love, Fight".
Bandmaster Ron Prussing on the Brigadier Brigade :
"I'm only the musical directer, I have no responsibility for that. I have never seen it before. If you want to see me act like Pontius Pilate, you've just seen it... that was just incredible!"
The group has been likened to hip-hop dance crew Justice Crew, and despite mixed critiques from veteran timbrel brigade members, has a small but fervent fanbase both within and outside of The Salvation Army. For this reason, and for the privacy of these talented humans, their names below have been cleverly disguised.

Current Brigadiers

McKenzo Andrews
Elo Mishell
Omar Lyuiz
Ziquere Wills OAM *

Brigadiers In Adjournment

Dunkirk Rooy
*Ziquere was prestigiously nominated Rookie of the Month by Timbrels Monthly in August, 2018, but was unsuccessful and did not receive this award. He has refused comment regarding this matter.

SYB in Pop-Culture

This section is currently under review.