Youth band to give first Christchurch performances

The Salvation Army
Media Release

Youth band to give first Christchurch performances

Wellington, 30 May 2007 - The Salvation Army's National Development Youth Band will be giving its first ever performances in Christchurch this Queen's Birthday weekend.

The 38-member brass band will present a selection of upbeat Christian music and popular tunes at performances around the city, including Victoria Square, Eastgate Shopping Centre, a retirement village, and The Salvation Army's Christchurch City Corps (Church).

The National Development Youth Band is made up of aspiring musicians from around the country, aged between 14-25 years. The band's main purpose is to expose young musicians to a fun, but focused, musical environment while developing their technical skill as brass players.

Salvation Army Director of Creative Ministries Stephen Stein says that the band only gives one weekend of performances each year and this will be the first time it has played in the South Island.

The weekend of music will begin with a free open air performance, weather permitting, in Victoria Square on Saturday 2 June at 1pm. A more formal concert, with gold coin entry, will follow at 7pm at The Salvation Army Christchurch City Corps on the corner of Durham and Chester Streets.

On Sunday, the band will play at a Christchurch retirement village, and at two worship services at 10.30am and 6pm at The Salvation Army Christchurch City Corps. The evening presentation will include a concert.

For their final event, on Monday at 2pm, the band will play free for shoppers at Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Mr Stein says the National Development Youth Band provides an excellent training ground for young brass musicians, many of whom go on to audition for The Salvation Army's National Youth Band.

ENDS

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