Ray Steadman-Allen

Ray Steadman-Allen was born 18 September 1922 in Bristol , to Salvation Army officer parents. When they were appointed to London in 1937, he obtained a job at International Headquarters as office boy to General Evangeline Booth daughter of The Salvation Army's founder.

 In 1942 he enlisted in the Royal Navy. He was examined for a music diploma by Sir Granville Bantock who invited him to apply for a job in music after the war. In the event, Bantock died, and Ray joined the Music Editorial Department of The Salvation Army. Following a short post-war period as a trombonist with The International Staff Band, he developed his conducting skills and became Bandmaster of the Tottenham Citadel Band.

He became a Salvation Army officer himself in 1949.

Much of his music was ahead of its time, to the point that it was sometimes considered unacceptable to the listener. Lord of the Sea created a furore! His creative genius has been given totally to God and has been instrumental in guiding Salvation Army music into uncharted territory, particularly when the International Music Editorial Department was under his leadership between 1967 and 1980.

Besides well over 200 brass band works published by The Salvation Army, he has written numerous choral works with a large number of compositions and arrangements in manuscript form, often completed for recordings or special concert presentations.

As well as completing his Doctorate in Music, he holds several honorary fellowships, is the President of the National College of Music, Vice President of the Brass Band Conductor's Association and patron of the London Musicological Research Society.

In 2005, The Salvation Army admitted Ray to The Order of the Founder, the highest honour that The Salvation Army can bestow on a member.

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