This year, the National Capital Band (NCB) celebrates 100 years of music ministry. Current and former members, bandmasters, and friends gathered at Camp Rappahannock to mark the occasion with a weekend of fellowship, worship and reflection on God’s enduring faithfulness. The NCB was formed in 1925 as the “Washington Headquarters Band” at the direction of Staff-Captain Ernest Holz.

When the Washington Division was established in 1928 as part of the newly formed Southern Territory, the band was renamed the Washington Division Band. It has also been known as the Washington Staff Band, The National Capital Division Band, and the National Capital Area Band. It became the National Capital Band in the 1980s. In addition to its traditional role of supporting the work of The Salvation Army in the National Capital region, the NCB now serves as the divisional band for the Potomac Division.

While other divisional bands rehearse monthly and perform infrequently, the NCB has rehearsed weekly since its inception. In a typical season, the band will rehearse at least 25 times and perform at over 20 concerts and events, much like a Staff Band. The NCB also has a notable history of inclusivity, having included women and minority musicians in their numbers as early as 1937.

With the theme “Always Faithful,” based on Isaiah 40, NCB alumni joined current amembers of the band to celebrate the band’s history and reminisce on a century’s worth of memories — including bandmaster Campbell Robinson, himself 99 years old and still able to lead the reunion band with energy and vigor. Band members were invited to peruse a small museum of the band’s history, featuring hundreds of photos, relics, and every recording the NCB has produced. The celebration also included a concert, rehearsal and performance from the alumni band, banquet and Sunday morning worship service. 

The gathering occurred during and after the division’s Music Councils weekend, when children and young adults came to practice and perform in several disciplines of music and arts together. The timing wasn’t coincidental; hosting both events at Camp Rappahannock on the same weekend allowed the future musicians of The Salvation Army to see the faithfulness of those who have gone before, as well as displaying to NCB members, past and present, that the future is in good hands. 

“My desire for this weekend is that the young people say, ‘Wow, 100 years! This is something that’s worth being a part of, I want to continue this,’” said David Delaney, Potomac divisional music director. “The NCB’s done a really good job of bringing up young people, which is always on my heart. My hope is that the band continues to be an inspiration to young Salvationist musicians for something for them to aspire to, not just musically, but in attitude and devotion to the Lord.”

The band’s dedication to their craft reflects the group’s longstanding commitment to the spiritual mission of the band under various bandmasters, like bandmaster James Anderson. “Jim would take off his glasses and talk about the lyrics or share a testimony–something about the characteristics of God or what scripture this [music] came from,” said Dr. Steve Kellner, the current bandmaster. “We play better when we know what it is we’re trying to get across … We really want to hit people with the message in any way we can. It helps if you know what the message is.” Taking time in every rehearsal to meditate on Scripture and the Spirit-filled lyrics ensures the band knows the purpose behind each note they play, deepening their experience of the music and growing their missional impact.

Another factor that’s kept the NCB alive and well for a century and counting is the group’s camaraderie. There’s a special bond of fellowship that is unique to ministering and making music together. “The band is very much like a family to me,” said Robert Schramm, who has been in the NCB for over 40 years. “There’s been at least one member of my family in the band continuously since 1961 … “My dad played in the band, my mom played in the band, my sister played in the band for a few years, [and] both my daughters at one point played in the band for over 10 years each. At one point, my wife was in the timbrels.” Given his family’s extensive history with the NCB, Robert serves as the group’s de facto historian.

Of course, not all the band members have such a strong familial connection to the ministry, yet they all become family. “I moved over 3,000 miles to a place that I didn’t know anybody,” said Major Michael Harris, who served as the band’s chaplain for many years. “Until you grab your tuba, you go sit down with the band, and suddenly you belong. The NCB was the first place I belonged when I came here. It became like a family, and for seventeen years, I played in that family.”

Even through difficult seasons, the band has endured thanks to the perseverance of its members and leaders. “It comes down to individuals just keeping things rolling along,” said former bandmaster Ian Anderson, who led the NCB during one such difficult period. “Nobody said we can’t do this. I think that’s the secret, that maybe in the moments when things have been a little difficult, people have said, ‘No, we can’t stop now.’ It’s remarkable.”

A ministry like the NCB doesn’t last 100 years without God’s faithfulness. Over the course of the celebration, several people pointed out the historical milestones that have occurred over the band’s lifetime: the Great Depression, two World Wars, the civil rights movement, the September 11 attacks, the tech boom and more. Bandmaster Kellner noted that the NCB is the same age as the Grand Ol’ Opry. Throughout it all, there is a pervasive attitude amongst the bandmembers that it’s only continued because of God’s will.

“Without Him, it doesn’t happen at all. It would fall flat on its face,” said David Delaney, the divisional music director of the Potomac Division. “The band has thrived [for] over 100 years because of the Lord’s faithfulness and because of so many people, whether it be the leadership or just people in the band, who have first and foremost sought the Kingdom of God. And they allowed themselves to be used, allowed their talents to be used to glorify Him … He’s faithful to those who love Him and desire to please Him.” Such is the character of God.

Commenting on the band’s longevity, Major Harris observed, “If we do something right, God will honor it always. If it was poor, if it was bad, if it was wrong, it would have died a long time ago … God’s blessed it because it’s right.” This writer is privileged to count himself among the hundreds of musicians and Salvationists who make up such an incredible legacy of ministry and service to God. It’s truly humbling to see all that the Lord has done through the NCB in its first century, and it’s thrilling to watch as the band marches forward into its second century, resolved to continue spreading the Gospel, or as some bandmembers might say, “play Jesus.”