Monday Spot (11 June 2007)
This week-end saw The Salvation Army’s annual Gospel Arts Festival in The Royal Albert Hall
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Music has been a feature of Christian worship for many centuries. The psalmist David was himself a musician and his influence in praising and worshipping God through all kinds of music lives on to the present day.
So what of the musical activities within our corps? We are certainly not devoid of talent. You can read about our Band, Songsters, Young People’s Band and Singing Company by following these links.
OUR BAND
In November last year the band, together with our Songsters, gave a concert in St Matthew’s Church, Wigmore and in March this year visited Sheffield Citadel Corps for the week-end. Last September it celebrated its 125th anniversary with a concert given in our own Chatham Salvation Army Hall. Guest soloists on that occasion were David Childs (Euphonium) and Mark Norwood (Vocal). Click here to read about the concert. Other special occasions included our Christmas Carol Concerts in The Central Theatre, a joint concert with the Rainham Ladies Choir and support for the local Remembrance Sunday service at the Victoria Gardens War Memorial.
The Band in concert
Bandmaster Carl Woodman
Throughout the year the band has supported the ministry of our Commanding Officers and visiting preachers with its accompaniment of singing and musical contributions to our meetings.
OUR SONGSTERS
In similar manner to the band our Songsters have supported the ministry with regular contributions to the meetings. The Brigade has enjoyed a relatively light programme of performances following on from its spring visit to the continent of Europe in 2006. However, it did visit the Kettering Corps for the week-end in April. It has been host to both the Croydon Citadel (June 2006) and Kettering (October 2006) Songster Brigades when they visited Chatham during the year. It has not been the easiest of years for the Songsters and a number of difficulties have been overcome in the true tradition of the Corps.
On stage at the Central Theatre
Songster Leader Adrian Horwood
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE’S BAND
Work amongst children always has a strong element of preparation for the future. Band Leader Nigel Lockwood spends much of his time teaching young people the skills of musicianship through the medium of the YP Band. Not a glamour section of the corps by any means but one of great importance in the development of children, not only musically but spirtually. Our YP Band has provided much enjoyment throughout the year as it has contributed to worship on numerous occassions. Particularly busy around the Christmas season, the Central Theatre Carol Concerts were probably the biggest contribution made by YP Band to our worship. The ‘Spectacular’, in March was also a feature in its year.
At the Central Theatre
Young People’s Band Leader Nigel Lockwood
OUR SINGING COMPANY
Providing excellent contributions to our meetings throughout the year our Singing Company continue to give us much pleasure and enjoyment. Singing Company Leader Carolynn Woodman is a very busy person, being a member of the International Staff Songsters and a young ‘mum’ as well as a teacher during the working week, but she still finds time to produce some fine singing from the children. As with the YP Band, Christmas was a particularly busy time.
At the Central Theatre
Singing Company Leader Carolynn Woodman
Well, that’s a very brief look at our musical sections and its a very far cry from what took place at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday. Nevertheless that big event in London is something which many Salvationists enjoy and travel many miles to attend. But it is only a part of The Salvation Army’s musical ministry which extends into the areas of evangelism, worship and fellowship at local corps throughout the world. We at Chatham are deeply grateful to those who provide such inspirational aid to our church life and to those who accept the responsibility of teaching and training.
If you would like to listen to the Chatham Citadel Band or Songsters you can do so by clicking one of the following links. Better still, if you live near enough, come an listen in person at our Hall. See ‘2 week diary‘ and ‘Coming Events‘ for details.
And finally some quotes for your amusement
Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.
Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colours. …but they all exist very nicely in the same box.
Have good week!