London With the likes of Amy Winehouse and Eminem on its books, Universal Music may be familiar with the more demanding excesses of performance art. Now it has made the most unexpected addition to its roster of artists: the Salvation Army, snapped up, it was announced yesterday, in a three-album deal worth more than £1 million.

The first album of the Salvation Army’s International Staff Band, Together, strays beyond its usual repertoire, featuring religious, secular and operatic tracks, including In the Bleak Midwinter and Nessun Dorma. Universal, which is spending £1 million on promoting the band, predicts that the record will go platinum by Christmas.

Although none of the band’s 32 amateur musicians will earn anything personally, Universal is making an undisclosed donation to the charity. The Salvation Army, one of Britain’s largest independent social welfare providers, says that its work will become even more important at a time of severe economic uncertainty.

Dickon Stainer, managing director of Universal Classics and Jazz, told The Times: “Universal are delighted to have signed the world’s ultimate buskers.They should give Take That a run for their money.”

Together will be released on November 24.

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