Band visit to Yorkshire Division Congress - 7th July 2002

'Celebrate' was the overall theme for the Congress weekend held in Leeds Town Hall.  We were privileged to join with the Yorkshire Division for the Saturday evening Celebration Spectacular sharing the platform with the Amsterdam Staff Songsters and the Yorkshire Division Dance and Drama group. In his programme notes to the Yorkshire Division, the Chief Secretary, Colonel Raymond Houghton, forecast that it promised to be a great celebration!

• A celebration of Jesus, who gives us life in all its fullness.
• A celebration of mission, for we are a people commissioned to 'save souls, grows saints, and serve suffering humanity'.
• A celebration of our Salvationism, which binds us together in Christ.

His forecast proved to be a reality.  The opening item featured Andrew Blyth's The Great Celebration with all participants joining together to make this a truly spectacular introduction to what was to be a memorable evening.

Amsterdam Staff Songsters displayed their versatility in their first group of items.  From the upbeat This is the Day to the more choral Laudate Dominum they immediately endeared themselves to the capacity audience.

The Band followed with the festival march Celebration before introducing Gavin Lamplough as the trumpet soloist playing This is My Story.  This jazzy number clearly appealed to the Songster brigade who seem to really enjoy this type of music.  In complete contrast, the Band featured Eric Ball's The Kingdom Triumphant.  When this piece was originally published it was not fully appreciated by many Salvationists.  However, it is now established as a Salvation Army classic.  This is an item the Band really warm to and, with the support of powerful images projected via the multimedia, they left a lasting impression on everyone who attended the festival.

With another change of mood, the congregation was invited to join in with Dean Jones' arrangement of The Glory Song (with a difference!).  This specially commissioned arrangement puts new life into the old song with a samba, Latin feel.

Not many Senior Bands can feature their own timbrel brigade, but six of the young ladies introduced the second half with a stunning display to the fast paced Salvation's Song.

Also in light-hearted mode, we featured the xylophone solo Helter Skelter.  Before the item, there was much good humoured banter between the Bandmaster and the soloist Tim Farmer.  This carried on throughout the solo with Tim's fellow percussionist Rob Hayward taking over part way through.  Quite how flasks and cups of coffee entered into the item remains a mystery!  The applause for this item showed how much it was enjoyed.

Colonel Raymond Houghton's message was based on Jesus' words to "Go and make Disciples".  He challenged us with the question "how many people have you introduced to Christ?"  He encouraged us to go where they are, speak the language and tell them of a life transforming experience.

The Amsterdam Staff Songsters presented another well balanced selection of items I am Not Alone, I'll Lead You Home, Sanctus and Go Down Moses.

The Grand Finale was Shine as the Light involving all participants.  A particularly moving moment was the lighting of candles from one to another signifying the opportunity we all have to go out and share God's love.  The closing sequence on the multimedia showed the sun rising slowly symbolising that 'the light has come'.