Since 1925, the National Capital Band has been The Salvation Army’s musical force in the District of Columbia and the surrounding area. Composed entirely of volunteer musicians, the band has developed an international reputation of excellence. The group was originally formed under the jurisdiction of the USA Eastern Territory (the USA Southern Territory was not established until 1927) as the “Washington Headquarters Band” of The Salvation Army. Serving as the “Band Instructor” during the early years was Erik Leidzén, the internationally renowned composer and conductor. Leidzén was the first in a long line of distinguished leaders, including among others Leslie Hall, A. Campbell Robinson, Stephen Bulla and James B. Anderson. The present bandmaster is Dr. Steve Kellner, who assumed leadership of the National Capital Band in July 2010.

The National Capital Band is attached to the headquarters for the National Capital and Virginia Division of the Salvation Army, located in Washington, D.C., for which it provides evangelistic and public relations support year-round. Major James Allison, the General Secretary of the Division, also serves as the Executive Officer of the band.

Washington Headquarters Band, 1926

In addition to supporting Salvation Army events in and around the Washington metropolitan area, the band has traveled extensively both in North America and overseas with major campaigns conducted in Jamaica (1974), Australia and New Zealand (1989), Scandinavia and Estonia (1991), Russia and Ukraine (1994), and Switzerland and France (2007). In 1997, and again in 2005, the band was invited to perform before a crowd of more than 25,000 persons at the Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, Kentucky.

The primary mission of the National Capital Band in all its many opportunities of ministry is to be an emissary of Jesus Christ, through the performance of spiritually inspired music. It is hoped that all of those hearing the band will understand and be blessed by its musical message.