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Band gathers for their second ministry weekend.
by Diane O’Brien –
Arriving from Alaska and Hawaii and points in between, the Territorial Youth Band, (TYB), led by Bandmaster Neil Smith, met on a recent Friday evening at the San Diego Citadel (Calif.) Corps to begin their second ministry weekend.
That evening was spent in rehearsal, as was the next morning. The group then traveled to Murrieta, Calif., where they met with the Sierra del Mar (SDM) Divisional Youth Chorus to set up and rehearse for that evening’s concert, and to share in a meal and fellowship with the host corps.
At the concert, the TYB not only looked resplendent but also presented good music, featuring both old favorites and new publications. Laura Foley, Daniel Summers and Nick Helms played a cornet trio and Jonathan Vasquez testified to God working in his life. The SDM Youth Chorus sang “Storm the Forts,” accompanied by the band, and two recently published songs. The praise team from the TYB led singing in the middle of the program, and while that spot was specifically identified as praise and worship, the whole evening was a praise offering to God.
On Sunday morning, the TYB returned to the San Diego Citadel Corps. After time spent in prayer for the day, they set up for the holiness meeting. With good music, Scripture, testimonies from Laura Foley and Kyle Reardon, a cornet solo from Nick Helms, and a contribution from the home songster brigade, the presentation was uplifting. Captain Shevaun Malone, chaplain for the weekend, brought the message.
So what was the best part of the weekend? The music was good. The deportment was excellent. The enthusiasm was infectious. The expression of faith was vibrant. All that made it worthwhile having this group. But for me, the best part of the weekend was the number of young people who saw something they could strive for—the even younger generation of musicians in this division, whose eyes lit up as they saw what they are already a part of, but which called them to even higher standards in the service of the King of Kings.