Ray Steadman-Allen
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant ColonelRay Steadman-Allen (born 18 September 1922) is a composer of choral and brass band
music for the Salvation Army
and for band competition.
He was born in the Salvation Army
'Mother's Hospital', Clapton
, while his Salvation Army Officer parents were living in the Horfield
area of Bristol
. When they were appointed to London in 1937, he obtained a job at International Headquarters as office boy to General Evangeline Booth
, daughter of The Salvation Army's founder.
In 1942 he enlisted in the Royal Navy
. He was examined for a music diploma by Sir Granville Bantock
who invited him to apply for a job in music after the war. In the event, Bantock died, and Steadman-Allen joined the Music Editorial Department of The Salvation Army. Following a short post-war period as a trombonist
with The International Staff Band, he developed his conducting skills and became Bandmaster of the Tottenham Citadel
Band
.
He became a Salvation Army officer himself in 1949, from the Harrow
Corps., and in 1951 he married Joyce Foster, who had become a Salvation Army officer from the Hastings
Citadel in 1949.
Much of his music was ahead of its time, to the point that it was sometimes considered unacceptable to the listener. Lord of the Sea created a furore. His creativity has been given totally to God and has been instrumental in guiding Salvation Army music into uncharted territory, particularly when the International Music Editorial Department was under his leadership between 1967 and 1980.
Steadman-Allen regularly took part as Bandmaster in the popular radio programme Sounding Brass
which was presented by Gloria Hunniford
and Owen Spencer-Thomas
on Radio 2
and Radio London
in the 1970s. He wrote a book called Colour and Texture in the Brass Band Score which was published by The Salvation Army. First published in 1980, this volume has been reprinted due to continued demand from composers, arrangers and university music departments alike.
Besides well over 200 brass band
works published by The Salvation Army, Steadman-Allen has written numerous choral works with a large number of compositions and arrangements in manuscript form, often completed for recordings or special concert presentations.
As well as completing his Doctorate in Music, Steadman-Allen holds several honorary fellowships, is the President of the National College of Music
, Vice President of the Brass Band Conductor's Association and patron of the London Musicological Research Society.
Steadman-Allen has also been a tremendous encourager of new compositional talent. Many leading Brass Band
composers will give testimony to his positive help and professional guidance.
In recent years, Ray Steadman-Allen has become affectionately known as 'RSA'.
In 2003, the Royal School of Church Music awarded him its ARSCM (Associate of the RSCM). In 2005, The Salvation Army admitted 'RSA' to The Order of the Founder
, the highest honour that The Salvation Army can bestow on a member.
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
music for the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
and for band competition.
He was born in the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
'Mother's Hospital', Clapton
Lower Clapton
Lower Clapton is a district within the London Borough of Hackney.It is immediately adjacent to central Hackney - bounded, roughly, by the western side of Hackney Downs , the Lea Valley , Clifden Road and the Lea Bridge Road...
, while his Salvation Army Officer parents were living in the Horfield
Horfield
Horfield is a suburb of the city of Bristol, in southwest England. It lies on Bristol's northern edge, its border with Filton marking part of the boundary between Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Bishopston lies directly to the south. Monks Park and Golden Hill are to the west. Lockleaze and...
area of Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
. When they were appointed to London in 1937, he obtained a job at International Headquarters as office boy to General Evangeline Booth
Evangeline Booth
General Evangeline Cory Booth was the 4th General of the Salvation Army from 1934 to 1939. She was its first female General.-Early life:...
, daughter of The Salvation Army's founder.
In 1942 he enlisted in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. He was examined for a music diploma by Sir Granville Bantock
Granville Bantock
Sir Granville Bantock was a British composer of classical music.-Biography:Granville Ransome Bantock was born in London. His father was a Scottish doctor. He was intended by his parents for the Indian Civil Service but was drawn into the musical world. His first teacher was Dr Gordon Saunders at...
who invited him to apply for a job in music after the war. In the event, Bantock died, and Steadman-Allen joined the Music Editorial Department of The Salvation Army. Following a short post-war period as a trombonist
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
with The International Staff Band, he developed his conducting skills and became Bandmaster of the Tottenham Citadel
Tottenham
Tottenham is an area of the London Borough of Haringey, England, situated north north east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:Tottenham is believed to have been named after Tota, a farmer, whose hamlet was mentioned in the Domesday Book; hence Tota's hamlet became Tottenham...
Band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
.
He became a Salvation Army officer himself in 1949, from the Harrow
Harrow, London
Harrow is an area in the London Borough of Harrow, northwest London, United Kingdom. It is a suburban area and is situated 12.2 miles northwest of Charing Cross...
Corps., and in 1951 he married Joyce Foster, who had become a Salvation Army officer from the Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
Citadel in 1949.
Much of his music was ahead of its time, to the point that it was sometimes considered unacceptable to the listener. Lord of the Sea created a furore. His creativity has been given totally to God and has been instrumental in guiding Salvation Army music into uncharted territory, particularly when the International Music Editorial Department was under his leadership between 1967 and 1980.
Steadman-Allen regularly took part as Bandmaster in the popular radio programme Sounding Brass
Sounding Brass
Sounding Brass was a pioneer phone-in programme presented by Gloria Hunniford on BBC Radio 2. Listeners were invited to choose a Christmas carol or hymn while a Salvation Army band, which included the famous Chalk Farm Band, stood by in the studio to play their requests live.The brass bands had a...
which was presented by Gloria Hunniford
Gloria Hunniford
Gloria Hunniford is a Northern Irish TV and radio presenter, and formerly a singer.-Biography:...
and Owen Spencer-Thomas
Owen Spencer-Thomas
Owen Robert Spencer-Thomas MBE is perhaps best known as a television and radio news journalist over three decades, but he has also undertaken a wide range of philanthropric work as volunteer charity fundraiser, pioneer and campaigner for people with autism and other disabilities...
on Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
and Radio London
Radio London
Radio London may refer to one of the following radio stations:*A popular name for the BBC World Service in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II*The station now known as BBC London 94.9...
in the 1970s. He wrote a book called Colour and Texture in the Brass Band Score which was published by The Salvation Army. First published in 1980, this volume has been reprinted due to continued demand from composers, arrangers and university music departments alike.
Besides well over 200 brass band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
works published by The Salvation Army, Steadman-Allen has written numerous choral works with a large number of compositions and arrangements in manuscript form, often completed for recordings or special concert presentations.
As well as completing his Doctorate in Music, Steadman-Allen holds several honorary fellowships, is the President of the National College of Music
National College of Music
The National College of Music, London is a music examination organisation, offering external grade examinations in music, drama and speech both in the UK and overseas.- History :...
, Vice President of the Brass Band Conductor's Association and patron of the London Musicological Research Society.
Steadman-Allen has also been a tremendous encourager of new compositional talent. Many leading Brass Band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
composers will give testimony to his positive help and professional guidance.
In recent years, Ray Steadman-Allen has become affectionately known as 'RSA'.
In 2003, the Royal School of Church Music awarded him its ARSCM (Associate of the RSCM). In 2005, The Salvation Army admitted 'RSA' to The Order of the Founder
Order of the Founder
In 1917, five years after the death of the founder of the Salvation Army William Booth, his son, General Bramwell Booth, inaugurated the Order of the Founder to recognise Salvationists who had rendered distinguished service, such as would have specially commended itself to the Founder. The first...
, the highest honour that The Salvation Army can bestow on a member.