From his early days of Salvation Army banding in Hamilton, Ont., to 23 years playing in the Canadian Staff Band (CSB), Andrew Burditt has witnessed the profound impact of music ministry. Now, the CSB welcomes him as its newest bandmaster, set to begin in fall 2025.

A familiar name within the banding world, Burditt brings decades of musical and professional experience, deep-rooted faith and a connection to the mission of The Salvation Army. In an interview with Salvationist staff writer Abbigail Oliver, he shares his journey of faith and music, and a glimpse into his vision for the CSB and its Christ-centred ministry.

Can you tell me about yourself and your experience growing up in The Salvation Army?

I’m a follower of Jesus and fifth-generation Salvationist, going back to my great-great grandfather. As the story goes, he was saved during an open-air service on the streets of England.

I grew up in Hamilton, Ont., and attended Argyle Citadel, now called Winterberry Heights Church. It was a wonderful place to grow up with plenty of mentors and people who exemplified what it meant to walk in faith and be a Salvation Army musician. I was encouraged by my mother and father, and participated in all the Army music programs that one would expect—I sang in the singing company, played in the young people’s (YP) band, and took piano and cornet lessons with my dad and then my grandfather.

When I was 13, my father, Brian Burditt, became the territorial music secretary for Canada and Bermuda, and we moved to Toronto where we attended Yorkminster Citadel. I went to camp, met some incredible people, and continued to progress through what could be described as a very normal Salvation Army upbringing. And you know what? I was very privileged to have that. It was a wonderful time to be a teenager.

What has your experience with Army banding been like?

I went to my first music camp when I was seven, but I sang at that point. I didn’t play an instrument because, as my father reminded me, I had to have my two front teeth to play properly, otherwise I’d have to learn all over again when they came in. But I played in the YP band at Argyle Citadel, then again at Yorkminster Citadel. I joined the senior band when I was 15 years old. 

I’m grateful for people such as my corps bandmaster at Yorkminster, Kevin Hayward, and a man named Wally Allington, who was my YP bandmaster. Both of those men helped foster an early interest in leadership, and gave me opportunities to grow and learn, not just musically, but spiritually. They really emphasized why we do what we do within a Salvation Army band.

I was fortunate to join the CSB in 1994 when I was 19 years old, and that’s where I truly began to understand how valuable the ministry of Salvation Army banding can be. And as a result, my own personal faith continued to grow. Joining the CSB was something that I had always aspired to do, but it was special because I played under the direction of my dad, who’d been bandmaster since 1985.

Outside of your musical proficiency, what professional experience do you bring to the role of bandmaster?

I have a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of Toronto, with further studies at College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and I had fully intended to go into a career in music and play in an orchestra, but God had other plans. I moved to Cincinnati in 1997 and took a job as divisional music director for The Salvation Army. When I came home after three years, I didn’t know what to do with myself.

I spent a few years working in an advertising agency, and in 2004, I was hired as the territorial public relations director for The Salvation Army, which later became the national director of marketing communications. In my nine years at territorial headquarters, I had the privilege of working alongside a great team on many campaigns, including the development of our brand promise, Giving Hope Today.

After that, I became the divisional secretary for public relations and development in what was then called the Ontario Central-East Division. I loved working for The Salvation Army, and I did it for almost 17 years. I still work in the charitable world today.

How has your spiritual journey intersected with music?

Faith has always been a part of my life. I remember first giving my heart to Christ at Camp Selkirk. But I think, as for many people, faith is a recommitment that happens many times since that initial outpouring. My faith continues to evolve. I’ve had my share of trials, doubts and challenges, and music is a big part of what has always brought me back and helps me through those challenges. It’s been central to my faith and commitment to God.

What are some things that you’ve learned during your time in the CSB?

I’ve been part of the band for 23 years in total, though I took some time away when my kids were young. The CSB is full of wonderfully dedicated people. Yes, it plays at a high musical level, and I’ve been so lucky to travel to many parts of the world as a member, but I believe that those things are byproducts of its ministry.

I believe there are four pillars to our ministry. First, we are the territorial band, which means we’re on duty for events such as commissioning and welcome weekend.

The second pillar is worship—worship outreach is one of the most public aspects of what we do, including worship services, festivals, concerts, parades, Christmas With The Salvation Army, recordings and more. And it’s so important because music is often an entry point or gateway for people into the church and, ideally, into faith. That public aspect is so vital to growth.

The third pillar is that the band helps develop, mentor and disciple musicians of all ages and disciplines across the territory. 

And the fourth, using a phrase often said by John Lam, is that the band itself is a community of faith. I’ve witnessed it, I’ve participated in it and I’ve benefited from it. Faith is in our DNA and it’s what makes us better.

Worship is something that we’re commanded to do throughout Scripture and music is a wonderful vehicle that allows us to do that, but it’s important for the CSB to not just make music. God instructs us to be excellent in what we do, but excellence itself cannot be the focus. When we offer our best—because he deserves our best—it’s not because we want to be better than others. We offer our best so that he can use it.

Time and time again, I’ve seen music connect us in ways that can’t be explained. It brings people of all ages and walks of life together, and as a movement and church, we need to cherish that.

And on that note, what is your vision for the staff band going forward?

The Salvation Army is, and must continue to be, a vibrant expression of God’s love and grace. The CSB has a long history of faith, ministry and service, thanks to the many people who have served over the last 56 years. I think we have an incredible foundation that allows us to now ask ourselves, “What else is possible? What else does God ask of us, and what else is in store for our ministry?”

For me, this includes maintaining our existing calendar and making sure that all the dates are filled. But beyond that, it’s a blank page. The sky is the limit. This is a large territory, and we need to make sure that our travel schedule sees us visit every part of it on a regular basis. It’s important for us to be out there connecting with people and making sure they know that we are there.

I would love to see continued and expanded partnership with music and arts ministries, as well as the other staff sections, to help grow and develop the expression of our faith through music. Let’s look beyond what the accepted norm is and partner with external artists to broaden the reach of our ministry. 

And finally, I hope to explore musical creativity and be innovative—to not be afraid to fail, to take risks and see where those risks take us.

While the expression of our mission as both a band and The Salvation Army will change from time to time, I think the ultimate goal is to share the message of the gospel through the medium of music. I do believe that we can accomplish that goal and grow and evolve. Let’s maintain the four pillars of our ministry, and let’s use those as a foundation to move forward.

Is there anything else you would like to say before you step into your role as bandmaster?

Music is one of the ways that The Salvation Army expresses its mission, faith and theology, and we should never lose that. We should work together using all the resources that we have to become the best possible version of ourselves that honours God and the gifts he has given us.

We have an incredible group of people in this ministry, so let’s utilize the resources that they have to the greatest extent. Let’s develop new resources and make sure that we do everything in a Christ-centred manner, because if we do that, he will bless our efforts. He will open new doors for ministry opportunities.

I love The Salvation Army and the CSB. But more specifically, I love what it was, what it is, and, more importantly, I am excited about the possibility of what it can become.