Due to ongoing health concerns, Kevin Hayward has officially resigned his post as Assistant Territorial Secretary for Music and Gospel Arts, and Canadian Staff Bandmaster, as of July 31 st, 2006.

In the fall of 2005, Kevin was rushed to the hospital after a perceived heart attack, and was diagnosed with an erratic heartbeat, causes unknown. His heartbeat was re-set with a defibrillator, and he was sent home with medication and regular monitoring.

In January 2006, he was rushed to the hospital for a second time, where his heart was shocked once more. The treatment left him ill, and he tired easily on an ongoing basis. Within a couple of months, the connection was made that stress could easily trigger another episode, and Kevin, after much prayer, made the hard decision to resign. He has since accepted a teaching post at the Toronto District Christian High School, where he will head a music program as of September 2006.

Born on the island of Bermuda, Kevin Hayward attended the Hamilton Citadel corps with his parents and three brothers.

In 1985 he moved to Canada to study music at the University of Toronto. Upon graduation, Kevin took a position with the Territorial Music Department, where he has served for the past 17 years.

In 1988 Kevin was appointed to the Canadian Staff Band, and from 1992 – 1996 served as Bandmaster of the Yorkminster Citadel Corps in Toronto. In 1994 he became the principal trombonist and soloist of the CSB and in 1998 was appointed deputy bandmaster.

In his present position as Assistant Territorial Secretary for Music and Gospel Arts, he has traveled from Northern B.C. to Newfoundland, to the United States, Bermuda, Europe, Scandinavia and the Caribbean as a guest clinician and conductor.

In 1997 Kevin joined the popular trombone ensemble “Spiritual to the Bone” for their Tour of Australia and New Zealand. Since that time he has performed with the group in Canada , the United States and Switzerland.

From 1996 –1998 Kevin participated in the Yamaha/McMaster low brass workshops as a clinician, conductor and performer. In 1999 he served as adjudicator and clinician at Musicfest Canada.

On June 17 th, 2002, Kevin Hayward officially became the Canadian Staff Band’s fourth Bandmaster, since its re-inauguration in 1969.

Kevin, his wife Carolyn, daughter Olivia and son Kevin, attend the East Toronto corps in the Ontario Central Division. He and Carolyn are expecting their third child in August 2006.

In the interim, former Staff Bandmaster Brian Burditt has agreed to resume as CSB conductor for the 2006-2007 season. Brian is a former Territorial Music Secretary who conducted the band from 1985-2002, and is currently The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territorial Director of World Missions.

There are no plans at present to replace Kevin Hayward at THQ and re-fill the position of Assistant Territorial Secretary for Music and Gospel Arts.