Youth bands meet to hone skills

Salvation Army
Media Release

Youth bands meet to hone skills

Wellington, 15 January 2008. -- Members of The Salvation Army's national youth bands are meeting north of Wellington for six days of intensive rehearsals.

About 75 musicians and band staff from The Salvation Army's National Youth Band and National Development Youth Band kick off the Youth Band Camp tomorrow (16 January) in Lower Hutt.

The annual camp is an opportunity for the musicians - who are scattered all over New Zealand and Fiji - to come together to rehearse their repertoire as a group.

Band members will spend up to five hours each day running through a range of contemporary and classical music in preparation for a number of concerts throughout the year. One of this year's concert highlights will be performances at The Salvation Army's 125th anniversary celebrations in Dunedin in April.

Salvation Army Creative Ministries Director, Matthew Pethybridge, says that the camp is an excellent development opportunity for the young musicians who range in age from 14 to 30 years.

'Many of the musicians are coming from small places where there may not be a local band.

'The camp represents something special for them and will certainly help to sharpen their musical talents in a large band environment.'

Mr Pethybridge says that apart from providing a chance for self-development, the bands play an important role in supporting worship at Salvation Army Corps (churches) and reaching out to people through public concerts.

National Youth Band members are selected from the ranks of Salvation Army senior soldier (or members) with players auditioned from the National Development Youth Band.

* Youth Band Camp participants will give a free public concert at 2pm on Sunday 21 January at 3 Reynolds Drive, Lower Hutt.

ENDS

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