11/05/2026
The Melbourne Staff Songsters shared with the Melbourne Staff Band and the Salvos Big Band in an ANZAC Concert; a time of commemoration and reflection through song, music and drama.
The afternoon featured music from various eras and the dramatic monologues gave insight on to the hardships of different conflicts.
The songsters contributed Abide with Me (Anna Page), a medley of songs from World War 1, In Flanders Fields (arr Roger Emerson) and Christ Calls (Dick Krommenhoek), which featured images of the Red Shield Defence Services over the years.
The Melbourne Staff Songsters also combined with the Salvos Big Band in the songs Lean On Me and We’ll Meet Again.
A highlight for many were songs Bui Doi and Wayfaring Stranger presented by the male voices of the MSB and the MSS. Wayfaring Stranger was arranged by Staff Songster Leader Jeffrey Clarke and featured Christine Clarke on flute.
The Salvos Big Band presented music from the World War 2 era, which included a flugel horn solo presented by Staff Bandsman Scott Downes.
The Melbourne Staff Band opened the concert with the march Under Two Flags and then presented some emotive and descriptive music, including Dwayne Bloomfield’s Armistice on Flanders Fields.
MSS Executive Officer Major Tim Lynn convincingly presented a monologue as a chaplain ‘Sallyman’ in World War 2.
The concert was appreciated by the large audience, many sharing stories with each other long after the last notes had been played.