In July, Impact Brass and Solidarity Brass, Ontario Division’s regional youth bands, visited Calgary for the annual stampede. Both bands brought their unique musical gifts, sharing in fellowship and music ministry and representing The Salvation Army’s youth talent.

Hosted by Glenmore Temple, band members arrived in Calgary on Wednesday, July 5, and participated in an open-air concert at Heritage Park that afternoon. Bystanders gathered to hear worship music from the bands and were invited to attend the other concerts and services occurring throughout the week.

Thursday began with a free pancake breakfast hosted by The Salvation Army’s Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre. There, band members enjoyed eating delicious pancakes, worshipping through music and connecting with each other before leaving to visit Banff, Alta.

On Friday, Impact Brass, led by Matt Barby, and Solidarity Brass, led by Marcus Venables, assistant territorial music secretary, marched alongside the Glenmore Temple Band at the Calgary Stampede parade. As they marched, people smiled, waved and thanked The Salvation Army for their service in Calgary. The following day, both groups explored downtown Calgary before heading back to Glenmore Temple for dinner and a shared concert, dressed in western attire.

At various open-air-style concerts throughout the week, Impact and Solidarity Brass shared pieces from their own repertoires, including Endless Praise by William Himes, Living Power by Tom Davoren and To Sing Thy Praise by Marcus Venables.

The Sunday morning service at Glenmore Temple featured performances by the youth bands, a testimony by Isaiah-Believe Luasu, children’s time led by Helena Pugh and several pieces from a worship team comprised of band members. Marcus Venables delivered a message inspiring congregants to be energized for ministry, asking God to purify their hearts for his service.

Both Impact Brass and Solidarity Brass are part of the Ontario Division’s Youth Creative group, which also includes a divisional worship team, two regional youth choruses—Inspire and SOUL—as well as a media production team.

“It has been an amazing gift to participate in ministry with youth from across Ontario through Youth Creative,” says Alexandria Venables, who attended the trip.“Being together in community throughout the week reinforced our shared passion for serving God. It was a joy to march along the streets with Impact, Solidarity and the Glenmore Temple Band, and it was equally uplifting to spend time with other young Christian musicians who desire to use their gifts to glorify God.”

For any youth interested in joining Youth Creative, visit ontsayouth.ca/youthcreative/ for more information and to apply.