The History of the Regent Hall Songters Graham Whitehead A few years after the opening of the Regent Hall Corps, the first songster brigade was formed, known then as a choir. Bandsman Charlie Dawes was the leader, and Sister Knight and Sister Nellie MacKay were the soloists. Bandsman Dawes left London and in 1889 Bandsman Herbert W. Twitchin became the leader of the choir. Among the first singers were the five Roeder sisters (one of whom, Mrs. R. Merrick, was YPSM Lily Crooks's mother) and Sergeant Lizzie Clarke who became Mrs. H. W.Twitchin. In 1903 songster brigades became officially recognized and the deputy bandmaster became the songster leader as well, a position he held from April 1903 until December 1929. During this time the songster practice was held on the same night as the band practice and was, of necessity, fairly short. Therefore it was impossible to spend much time on festival pieces, and Gems for Songsters Nos. 1 and 2, were most popular. The songsters frequently used such items as 'Joy Bells' and 'Peace be still'. At this period the songster sergeant was Alice Chapman, who was succeeded by Songster Mrs. Alice (Nance) Home who was commissioned on 11th July 1929, and who is well remembered for leading the Sunday evening open-air meeting at Bird Street (Oxford Street) with the whole songster brigade on duty. Each songster was expected to take part by stepping into the ring to give a Bible quotation. This was a way of encouraging the songsters to read their Bible often, because they needed a plentiful supply of texts.

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