From July 3-13, the Canadian Staff Songsters (CSS) embarked on a tour of the United Kingdom. The 11-day tour featured stops at Chelmsford, Bromley, Peterborough, Leek, Bedlington and Newport Corps—culminating at the Together 2025 conference in Birmingham. The tour coincided with the debut of the songsters’ latest recording, His Light in Us.

Songster Leader Cathie Koehnen sums up the purpose of the tour and album: “His Light in Us celebrates the presence and transforming power of Christ’s light in us. We sing to share that light and pray all who hear would allow his light to shine in and through them.”

Kicking off at Chelmsford on July 4, the songsters met with the mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Jannetta Sosin, and her staff before singing O Canada and God Save the King on the steps of the civic centre. In the evening, they delighted a capacity crowd for a concert at Chelmsford Corps. Highlights included Great God, Great Praise, arranged by Bradley Knight, Stick With Love, featuring songsters Micaela Rayment and Steven Cooper, and I Speak Jesus, a duet with songsters Aidan Turley and Janine van der Horden.

LONDON AND CANADA HOUSE

Next stop was Bromley Temple in London for a weekend of ministry and fellowship. After enjoying a traditional fish and chips lunch, the songsters participated in music outreach on High Street with the temple band. A Saturday evening concert at the Langley Centre for the Performing Arts featured He Will Hold Me Fast, arranged by Andrew Wicker; Better, with Michael Gower and Rebecca Minaker; Be Still My Soul, with Alexandria Venables; and Rejoice, arranged by Cliff Duren, an upbeat number that inspired the audience to clap along. Halfway through, the CSS were joined on stage by the Bromley Songsters who descended from the crowd for a stirring rendition of I Know a Fount by Canadian arranger Noel Brooks, conducted by Songster Leader Karl Westwood.

On Sunday, the CSS supported worship at Bromley and participated in open-air ministry at a park and shopping centre. Sunday afternoon was spent touring the city of London, and some members of the CSS sang the Canadian national anthem outside the gates of Buckingham Palace to great applause.

On July 7, the CSS travelled to Canada House, the chancery of the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom in Trafalgar Square. There, they performed for the Honourable Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner of Canada. A reception with the Canada House staff featured Tim Hortons coffee as well as homemade Nanaimo bars by the resident chef.

The CSS then travelled to Peterborough where the group spent time touring the majestic Peterborough Cathedral and performed in the evening at Peterborough Citadel. The concert included a moving testimony and solo, Been So Good, by Karen Gross, with Julianna Gerard joining on piano for We Sing the Mighty Power of God, and the songsters’ recitation of Elements of Faith by Peter Koehnen. Excellent musical accompaniment was provided throughout the tour by Rachel Ewing on piano, Matthew Osmond on percussion and Ken Bailey on bass, as well as audio-visual support by Glenn Van Gulik.

NORTHERN ENGLAND AND WALES

A four-hour journey to the north took the choir to Bedlington, near the border of Scotland, where they visited St. Cuthbert’s church, which dates to the 11th century, and met for tea at the civic centre with the mayor and councillors. The sold-out evening concert had many attendees waving Canadian flags, and the interval featured ice cream treats for everyone—most welcome as the United Kingdom was experiencing a heat wave.

After a brief stop in Buxton, the group arrived at Leek Corps on July 9 for another day of worship and fellowship. Then they travelled to Newport, Wales, where the concert was held at Newport Cathedral, a 1,500-year-old church that featured stunning architecture and acoustics.

“These concerts are not performance; they are worship,” noted Lt-Colonel John Murray, CSS executive officer, who organized the tour in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory. His narration guided the audience through musical references to the three persons of the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and God’s “power and presence woven through all creation.”

TOGETHER 2025

The tour culminated at the Together 25 congress in Birmingham, which celebrated The Salvation Army’s 160th anniversary with Salvationists from across the country. A sold-out Friday night concert at the Birmingham Conservatoire featured the CSS together with the International Staff Songsters (ISS), led by Dorothy Nancekievill, and the International Staff Band (ISB), under Stephen Cobb.

A highlight of the evening was the premier of New Creation, a massed piece for all three groups by composer Richard Phillips. Cathie Koehnen also led a moving rendition of I Have Seen the Glory of the Lord, with the combined voices of the CSS and ISS. The concert concluded with musicians surrounding the audience for the benediction, The Lord Bless You and Keep You. 

On July 12, the CSS sang a short afternoon concert and joined in the congress’ evening sessions, which featured stories, praise, dance, song and a word from Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World President of Women’s Ministries. The CSS was blessed to have the opportunity to participate in these sessions, with musical selections that included Let Everything That Hath Breath, featuring Steven Cooper, and Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Following the evening sessions, the CSS and ISS shared one last meal before parting ways.

“It was a real privilege to travel with the Canadian Staff Songsters during their UK tour,” says Andrew Blyth, head of music editorial for the United Kingdom and Ireland (UKI) Territory, who provided logistical oversight for the tour. “At every venue they brought energy, enthusiasm and the message of Christ’s light and hope in song. It is the prayer of the UKI territory that their legacy will be felt for many years to come. Thank you, CSS, for coming to share and proclaim his light to us!”

Videos and more photos of the tour can be found on the social media accounts of Salvationist magazine (Facebook | Instagram) and the Canadian Staff Songsters (Facebook | Instagram). The new His Light in Us album is available on most streaming platforms and on CD through Supplies and Purchasing/Trade Canada and Bermuda. Visit Salvationist.ca/CSS for more information.

GREAT GOD, GREAT PRAISE

Canadian Staff Songsters share their highlights:

“There were so many God-moments. As we sang Goodness of God with the congregation, I was overwhelmed by the passion, sincerity and earnest heart-cries of thanksgiving. It was soul stirring!”—Nancy Turley

“A Salvationist woman in Peterborough held my hand and, with tears streaming down her face, said she had never experienced such a Spirit-filled service in her life. She was so moved and grateful.”—Lisa Baker

“Two audience members remarked on the beautiful music, but what they loved the most was that they could see that the words we were singing came straight from our hearts.”—Neesha Dunkley

“I watched a little girl’s face in the front row in Leek. She was so thrilled to hear the music, and I saw her say, ‘Oh, I love this one!’ when we started Rejoice.”—Deryck Robertson

“It was a blessing to see the younger members of the CSS interacting with the older, longer-serving members, including the deep, spiritual conversations that were had during the coach rides.”—Ian Cooper

“At the cathedral, I spoke to a man who bluntly said he hadn’t wanted to come—his wife dragged him out. In the end, he was so blessed he didn’t want the evening to end. He told me the song The Shelter of Shalom sang peace ‘right into my stubborn, old heart.’ ”—Heather Robertson

“I loved the feeling of belonging wherever we visited. People we had never met welcomed us into thei rhomes so graciously. It is wonderful to be unified through faith.”—Janette Brown

“This tour was a taste of heaven, worshipping God daily with such exuberant joy and passion, and meeting new people who instantly became family. Thank you, Jesus!”—Major Beverly Ivany