Melbourne Staff Songsters
About us
The Melbourne Staff Songsters were inaugurated on 11 April 1987 and is comprised of personnel who attend Salvation Army corps (churches) around metropolitan Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate.
We perform at major Salvation Army events, as well as visit many metropolitan, regional, and interstate corps and community centres. Our group has toured to all states and territories of Australia, as well as New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore and Myanmar.
While our major role is performing as a choir, members regularly feature as soloists.
As well as performing Salvation Army music, our repertoire includes sacred, classical and contemporary music from a variety of sources.
Meet our members
Executive team
Major Tim Lynn
Executive role appointed: 8 January 2025
Corps Affiliation: Ringwood (VIC)
Highlights: International Congress, UK tour, mission trip to Singapore and Myanmar and our corps visits.
As a Christian being in the MSS means...
Actively participating in ministry with like-minded musicians. Being encouraged by rich fellowship and inspiring others to faith in Christ through a unique form of witness and worship.
Jeffrey Clarke
Executive role appointed: 2021
Corps Affiliation: Ringwood (VIC)
Highlight: Visit to Singapore and Myanmar (especially as this was out of my comfort zone).
As a Christian being in the MSS means...
Sharing my faith journey with a life group who also wish to share the message of Christ through the powerful medium of song. This message can reach the vulnerable and marginalised, changing lives.
Sopranos
Karyn Stow
Joined: 2018
Corps Affiliation: Warrnambool (VIC)
Highlight: Being welcomed into the group and meeting new people.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
I find it a great privilege to be able to share the message of God's love through music with the MSS and, often, I receive so much more from Him through this ministry.
Bronwyn Fanner
Joined: 2012
Corps Affiliation: Geelong (VIC)
Highlight: Being able to tour with the group in the UK in 2010 — Awesome!
As a Christian being in the MSS means...
I praise and thank God for this opportunity. I am truly blessed each time I hear this group sing and know that there are many others who are blessed also. I feel there is a real mission for this group to spread the gospel and I am privileged to be a part of it.
Erin Fanner
Joined: 2015
Corps Affiliation: Westside Melbourne Salvos - Brimbank City (VIC)
Highlight: The trip to Broughton 2016, the fellowship and community to celebrate the harvest festival.
As a Christian being in the MSS means...
It is a privilege because as a group we bring the Love of God to anyone who hears it through music and song.
Grace Lee
Joined: 2023
Corps Affiliation: Box Hill (VIC)
Highlight: Garden of Hope in Perth in 2024, where I could find God’s glory in those people during singing.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
With the musical talent God has given me, how precious and beautiful it is to contribute to the ministry.
Major Robyn Lorimer
Joined: 2017
Corps Affiliation: Adelaide City Salvos (SA)
Highlight: Coming back after six years away.
As a Christian being in the MSS means...
I find that I'm in a space now of constant change, and it has its good and bad moments — but I love the fact that we can sing a variety of songs, completely different styles and tunes and yet the meaning of the song stays the same; reliable and constant.
Lieutenant-Colonel Winsome Mason
Joined: 2021
Corps Affiliation: Camberwell (VIC)
Highlight: Being in Myanmar in 2019.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
An opportunity to share the love of Jesus through song and share with corps that do not regularly have a vocal group as part of their worship service.
Merryn Steel
Joined: 1998
Corps Affiliation: Westside Melbourne Salvos – Brimbank City (VIC)
Highlight: My first trip to the UK and another trip to Southwick Community School (a learning centre for some of the UK’s most disadvantaged children). It had a profound impact on us. There were tears in everyone’s eyes as the children sang a beautiful song about hope.
As a Christian being in the MSS means...
Doing what I love as part of my ministry for God is a great joy and privilege.
Major Lynda Van Gaalen-Prentice
Joined: 2016
Corps Affiliation: Ringwood (VIC)
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
Having the opportunity to not just minister to fellow Christians in other corps and churches, but to reach out through music to people who might otherwise not hear the gospel.
Altos
Judi Agnew
Joined: 2010
Corps Affiliation: Box Hill (VIC)
Highlight: Tour of the UK 2010.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
The ability to share my love of the Lord through music.
Annette Davies
Joined: 2023
Corps Affiliation: Camberwell (VIC)
Highlight: Every engagement, especially my first in Ballarat. Just seeing the positive impact of this ministry.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
Having the opportunity to engage in ministry, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and bringing joy and hope.
Major Belinda Lynn
Joined: 2026
Corps Affiliation: Ringwood (VIC)
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
I have the opportunity to serve God through music, to share my faith and show Christ's love to others.
Rachael Lewis
Joined: 2022
Corps Affiliation: Craigieburn (VIC)
Highlight: I love having fun and singing praise with a lovely group of supportive and encouraging fellow believers.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
Having the opportunity — to use the gifts God has given me — to share and bless others.
Fiona Radford
Joined: 2020
Corps Affiliation: Ringwood (VIC)
Highlights: Perth (2024), Shepparton (2021) – it was my first trip with the Songsters and I was under the pump to learn about 15 piano accompaniments!
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
There are many times when I have listened to a choir and the wWord of God has moved my heart through the power of music. Serving in the MSS allows me to use my musical talents for others to open their hearts to God’s voice.
Jenni Williams
Joined: 2015
Corps Affiliation: Box Hill (VIC)
Highlight: Christmas gift rehearsals and concerts at Hamer Hall, followed up by Commissioning on the Sunday — singing and just being with a wonderful bunch of talented Salvos.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
Stepping outside my comfort zone and actively serving God in many different contexts.
Tenors
Ray Begley
Joined: 2026
Corps Affiliation: Box Hill (VIC)
Highlight: Delighted to be a member of the MSS
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
Proclaiming the name of Jesus through music.
Jason Geeves
Joined: 2010
Corps Affiliation: Kingborough-Huon (TAS)
Highlight: UK tour 2010.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
Using the gift I was given to advance His kingdom.
Jeremy Reeve
Joined: 2025
Corps Affiliation: Launceston (TAS)
Highlight: Conducting my own corps songsters with the MSS.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
Sharing the love of Jesus through song.
Les Smith
Joined: 2019
Corps Affiliation: Melbourne Project 614 (VIC)
Highlight: Carols in the Domain.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
I have a chance to share with others across the wider Salvation Army. It refreshes my spirit, which fuels my passion and capacity to care for others.
Lindsay Stow
Joined: 2018
Corps Affiliation: Warrnambool (VIC)
Highlight: How welcome we were made to feel at our first rehearsal. Looking forward to many memorable moments with MSS in the future.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
A wonderful privilege to be able to use something that I love doing, and which brings such personal blessing, to bring the message and love and blessing of Christ to others.
Basses
Dale Brimblecombe
Joined: 2014
Corps Affiliation: Merri-bek City Salvos (VIC)
Highlight: The power of some songs stops me in my tracks just to absorb it in.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
I often wonder how people give testimony to how the right song has played at a time they needed to hear God’s Word the most.
I have an opportunity to reach others in much the same way — while I can indulge in the great pleasure of music.
Darren Fanner
Joined: 2009
Corps Affiliation: Geelong (VIC)
Highlight: My first rehearsal and trip to the UK.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
Sharing God's love with people I meet at corps and community outings.
Len Wishart
Joined: 1994
Corps Affiliation: South Barwon (VIC)
Highlight: Visits to small corps and overseas tours to UK and Canada.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
I find it a real privilege to sing Christian music in a group which brings glory to our Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the fellowship of other Christians who seek to do their best in music.
Accompanists
Michael Agnew
Corps Affiliation: Box Hill (VIC)
Christine Clarke
Joined: 2021
Corps Affiliation: Ringwood (VIC)
Fiona Radford
Started: 2020
Matthew Lewis
Joined: 2012
Corps Affiliation: Craigieburn (VIC)
Highlight: Watching the group trying to learn choreography ... one of the perks of being an instrumentalist.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
An opportunity to use my gifts to influence the lives of those I would not normally get the chance to meet.
Divisional Envoy Peter Lewis
Joined: 2019
Highlight: Visit to Myanmar.
As a Christian being in the MSS means…
An outlet to worship God through my piano skills.
Support
John Adams
Joined: 2000
Corps Affiliation: Camberwell (VIC)
Jon Steel
Joined: 2020
Corps Affiliation: Westside Melbourne Salvos – Brimbank City (VIC)
Ian Van Gaalen-Prentice
Joined: 2016
Corps Affiliation: Ringwood (VIC)
Jenny Wishart
Joined: 2018
Highlight: Visiting small corps. The people are so appreciative of the message the MSS brings through music. It reinforces to me that God’s message should always be presented in different ways.
As a Christian, being in the MSS means... Being a Christian in today’s world is a privilege. Saved by Grace; to be the best I can be in every situation. The MSS has given me many opportunities to sit and listen, to share my faith and to show love to others.
Young Yoon
Joined: 2026
Corps Affiliation: Box Hill (VIC)
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