Keith Hampton appointed as Territorial Brass Ministry and Development Co-Ordinator
Major Keith Hampton, pictured with his plastic red trombone, has taken on a new role as Territorial Brass Ministry and Development Co-Ordinator. (photo: RhonddaKingston)
After being in brass band ministry for ‘quite’ a few years, Dulwich Hill corps officer Major Keith Hampton is excited to take on his additional role as Territorial Brass Ministry and Development Co-Ordinator.
Earlier in the year at the Territorial Brass Forum, Keith introduced a diagram he created called ‘Bridging the Gap’. It identifies areas around the world that have successful creative ministries in place, and shows where there are corps with ‘gaps’ that could use assistance.
“That’s what I’d like to do in my new role - help corps define where the gaps are and see how we can resource those corps in bridging the gap,” says Keith. “If they are left un-resourced, we will cease to have competent players in future decades”
Keith identified that the once seamless transition from junior band to senior band just isn’t the norm anymore. “What we’ve got around the territory is an aging population of people playing in brass bands. Unless something is done intentionally, providing brass bands for community events, marches, and carolling, sadly, will be a thing of the past.”
Keith was approached to take on this role by territorial leadership given his experience in brass band ministry for so many years; experience he will be able to take into this new appointment.
“The keys elements of the role are in the title, and that’s ministry and development. I’d like to firstly encourage those who are already doing ministry in that sense, because I believe it’s a very vital, ongoing aspect of music ministry in the Salvation Army today.”
Keith sees a great importance in brass band programs being used as an outreach in the community, allowing upcoming musicians to be connected to a Salvation Army church. “I believe it is never too late to make improvements where we are, and to hear of new brass programs shooting up in Australian corps and overseas is encouraging,” says Keith.
Keith is grateful that as an officer he has the opportunity to meet Salvationists from across the territory who are using their talents to provide a ministry to the corps and wider community. “On behalf of those who listen and who are ministered to each week, may I thank you each, and encourage you to keep on doing what you’re doing in the Lord’s Service.”
Where there aren’t strong brass ministries in place, he aims to meet with corps officers and leaders and provide them with the necessary resources to get this ministry up and running in the corps and local community.
“We need to be thinking creatively of ways that we can get in. Not just as a brass band, but as a ministry group. We have to dedicate not only our instruments but our lives,” says Keith. “It’s not the numbers of people that you’ve got in your group. It’s the motivation behind why you’re there.”
Report by Nathalia Rickwood
Comments
About time ! I am so pleased the Keith has found something he will fit right into. Congratulations on Commissioner Jim for allowing him to follow his talent and dream. Need an assistant Keith?