Singing companies up more than 50 percent
This season many corps around the territory are utilizing
the Christmas musical, "The Light before Christmas," which was distributed free
of charge by the territorial worship and gospel arts department as part of the
emphasis on singing companies in the territory, under the broader umbrella of
Live Music in Worship in Every Corps by 2020.
Since the effort began in August 2011, singing companies are
up by more than 50 percent, representing new groups formed and more
participation in established ones. They now total 197. Two comprehensive
children's music collections with accompaniment CDs were provided to each one.
"The singing company initiative has
brought unity between the youth from our church programs and new kids who have
begun attending," said Lt. Dana Bigelow, Marion, Ind., corps officer. "It is
more than a time to get together to sing, but a time where they can learn about
what worship really means and fellowship together."
The Chicago Staff Band conducted two singing company
leadership seminars during their weekend visits to the Heartland and
Metropolitan divisions earlier in the year and follow-up training is scheduled
for 2013. And next month Territorial Worship Arts Retreat will emphasize singing
company leadership and children's music resources as part of this initiative.
Also in January divisions will receive more details about
the singing company competitions which will take place across the territory and
result in the winning group from each division participating in a massed
singing company of more than 200 children at the "One Army, One Mission, One
Message" Family Congress with General Linda Bond in St. Louis, Mo., June 7-9,
2013.