Territorial Youth Choir The theme of the week was Build My Life, inspired by the song of the same name, which we sang. The song speaks about putting our trust in God alone, who is a firm foundation. Each day we considered different ways we can build our lives for Jesus and for others. There were interviews with staff members about how they built their lives on God and what they wanted to pray for. These questions were then asked in our cell groups, which challenged me to include God and my faith in different aspects of my life, making sure the impact of TYC will last beyond just the week. This year we picked additional workshops including multimedia, art, conducting/ leadership, dance and discussion. These were other ways to express our faith and worship, adding another unique element to the week. I took part in the dance stream and learnt two dances to songs, one hip-hop and the other lyrical, one of which we were able to perform in the final concert. I enjoyed learning two contrasting styles and expressing worship through dance. The evenings were filled with fun activities, games and a silent disco with the TYB students. The first night we had ice-breakers in our cell groups, when we were given challenges to complete – and my group won! During the open mic I was able to perform my audition song, which I really enjoyed. The last night we held worship in the round, providing another opportunity for us to share, pray and encourage one another; it was a very special evening. TYC being held virtually last year made us appreciate attending in person even more this year. Thank you to all the staff members for making it an amazing week.
A joyous evening of praise
presented by TYC: ‘Trusting Jesus, That Is All’ by Andrew Wicker and ‘How Can I Keep from THE LIFE CENTRE, BOURNEMOUTH Singing?’. The group’s dynamic contrast was perhaps most effectively demonstrated when the singers rose with a crescendo into the THE 2022 Youth Makes Music festival was familiar refrain of ‘Amazing love! How can it the culmination of a week of pulling together to worship and celebrate through music, reports be…?’ in the second of these songs. It was a truly moving moment. Johnny Laird (Croydon Citadel). Just hours One of TYB’s major works was ‘Romans 8’ before the festival, Storm Eunice hit the UK – a challenging piece by Ray Steadman-Allen. and Ireland, and with Covid-19 still rife and a new venue to contend with, there was much to The players’ interpretation was sensitive when the music demanded, occasionally robust when challenge the preparations. required and effective in presenting the Under new TYC leader Karl Westwood the message within it. Special mention should be group’s start to the programme was measured, made of some lyrical high register euphonium unhurried and almost meditative. They playing and the light touch of the trombone displayed a warm, delicate sound in Mark section. Hayes’s ‘Children of the Light’, with excellent The first half finished on a glorious high discipline and musicality in handling the with ‘La Fe Es La Victoria’, which brought dynamic contrast. some Latin flavour to the proceedings. Maintaining that atmosphere, TYB Further contrast came from Andreas presented ‘Prelude on Ascalon’ by Geoffrey Holmund’s ‘What a Wonderful Day’, with its Nobes. This year’s band was perhaps younger than usual, yet under the leadership of Director big band stylings, and Daniel Galbraith’s of Music and Creative Arts Stephen Cobb they arrangement of ‘Hosanna’ by Kirk Franklin, including movement from the TYC singers interpreted the piece with maturity. with real freedom of expression. After a prayer by Territorial Youth and Kevin Norbury’s arrangement of Alexander Children’s Secretary Major Helen Schofield, Borodin’s ‘Excerpts from the Polovtsian Dances Stephen compèred the programme. He from “Prince Igor”’ was a tour de force by TYB, explained that ‘Groove Hosanna!’ was and from this classical transcription we arrived representative of the steady flow of music reaching the Music Editorial Department from with the TYC at ‘I Need Thee’ by Alastair Taylor. The singers navigated this harmonically Africa. TYB brought real sparkle to this contemporary arrangement of Salvation Army sophisticated song with ease, as did the band with Paul Sharman’s ‘To the Hills’. melodies. The band’s closing piece, ‘To the Chief The music leaders chose to continue that Musician’ by William Himes, was a powerful blend of traditional and contemporary, with and appropriate reminder of why Salvationist TYC giving us hits of gospel, worship songs and much-loved Salvation Army classics, while musicians do what they do. Staff and students are to be commended for TYB’s music allowed the band to be challenged overcoming the many challenges to give us a and the listeners to be inspired. wonderful evening of music filled with praise. Two soon-to-be-published songs were Salvationist 12 March 2022
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