05/26/2026
Our second release from our 2026 Annual Spring Concert, "SOUNDS OF JOY" we bring you the March "Rolling Along" - by William Himes. It is performed by our Massed Band with Flint Citadel Band and Chicago Staff Band.
This march was written in tribute to the bandsmen of Flint Citadel, Michigan U.S.A., on the occasion of our corps' centenary in 1993. It is interesting to note that Flint Citadel, a well-known American corps literally grew up over night as a result of the enterprising efforts of one Corps Sergeant-Major William Beacraft, who, in addition to his corps responsibilities, was personnel director for a fledgling automobile company which came to be known as General Motors. Beacraft sent word to Salvationists in northern Michigan's dwindling mills and mines that jobs were available in Flint - especially for those who played brass instruments! The rest is history.
Therefore, it is appropriate that the featured tunes possess a decidedly vehicular theme: 'The old chariot' and 'Rolling along in fiery chariots'. ("Armchair musicologists" might be interested - and amused - to also discover subtle references to several General Motors advertising jingles sprinkled throughout!)
The march wouldn't be complete if Bill Himes didn't throw a taste of the University of Michigan fight song in at the tail end, his alma mater! (GO BLUE!)
