Govan Citadel Band was formed a year after the establishment of the Salvation Army in Govan.  In March 1882 two brothers John and Hugh McColl obtained some second hand instruments and began to practice in a damp room adjacent to the theatre in Portland Street, Govan the same theatre in which John McColl was converted. Govan Citadel Band had been formed and the first Bandmaster was John McColl. The Corps Officer at the time was Melinda Molland

After five weeks of rehearsing the band were ready to play in public and the first tunes to be played were ‘Will you be there’, ‘Shall we have a new name’ and ‘Will you meet at the fountain’.  The band then immediately took its ministry onto the streets of Govan and has been doing so ever since.  At first the band had no uniforms however very quickly appeared in blue suits with small peaked caps. The present day band are proud to continue the tradition of Salvation Army uniforms with caps and stand up collars!

Govan Citadel is in the shadow of the local Shipyard and amongst the first band there was only one bandsman who did not work at the Shipyard. That bandsman was a lawyer by the name of John Stewart. Ironically, One hundred and twenty five years later, only one bandsman works at the Shipyard- another bandsman by the name of John Stewart!

In addition to playing an active part in the corps at Govan the band plays an important part in the community regularly marching through the streets to proclaim the Gospel message. In June 2006 the band led the Corps as we participated in the procession celebrating the 250^th Anniversary of the Govan Fair. The band was greeted with enthusiasm and admiration from the thousands in the crowd who supported this event.  The band also regularly attends at the local hospital and various nursing homes to take the gospel message to those who are unable to attend a place of worship.

 The bands music ministry has not just been restricted to Govan as the band has campaigned throughout the UK and also in Canada, the USA, Denmark and The Netherlands, the most recent tour being in Ontario, Canada in 2000.

The present day band continues to be synonymous with high standards of Salvationism, deportment and music making under the leadership of Bandmaster Brian Keachie.  As the band proudly celebrates its 125^th Anniversary it also proudly proclaims that it will continue to celebrate the Lord with music ministry in Govan and in the wider community.

Govanband.com