Young people from across the territory gathered at Jackson’s Point Retreat and Conference Centre, Ont., during the last week of summer for Territorial Music School (TMS), an opportunity to develop as musicians, build friendships and grow deeper in faith. Each year brings its own character and emphasis, and in 2026, the week was shaped around one simple word: Encounter.

The Bible guest, Captain Callum McKenna from the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, invited delegates to look throughout Scripture at moments when people encountered an extraordinary God. From Moses standing before the burning bush, to Mary encountering the angel and receiving an unexpected calling, to the disciples experiencing the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and Peter meeting Jesus in a moment that would change the course of his life, these stories are a reminder that an encounter with God can be powerful and transformational.

Throughout the week, “encounter” became more than a theme, but rather a lens through which young musicians experienced TMS. “God meets us in unexpected places and through unexpected people. He meets us in moments of worship, in the discipline of rehearsal, in conversations with friends, and in the quiet moments when we are invited to listen,” says Marcus Venables, assistant territorial music secretary. “The challenge was not simply to learn about the encounters of people in Scripture, but to ask where we might encounter God ourselves.”

Across various streams, students were challenged to develop their skills while discovering new possibilities for their own musical journey. Special guests gave generously of their time and talents, including Kevin Larsson from the U.S.A. Western Territory, who led the “A” band and “A” chorus, as well as Josh Powell from the U.S.A. Southern Territory, who led the worship mainstream and elective and helped lead faculty worship. Their willingness to engage fully in the life of TMS enriched the experience for students and faculty alike.

Music was at the heart of the week. The midweek concert offered an early opportunity for students to share what they had been working on. Highlights included the “A” band’s performance of All Hail King Jesus by Marcus Venables, while the “A” chorus presented I Surrender, arranged by Matt Broome.

During the final concert, the “A” band performed Kevin Larsson’s Infinite Power, and the “A” chorus presented Boundless,also written by Larsson. The mainstream chorus, led by Susan Kroeker, sang You Already Know by Rachel Ewing, the band led by Andrew Burditt performed The Call of the Righteous by Leslie Condon, and the band led by Marcus Venables offered Lord of Sea and Sky by Martin Cordner.

Both the mid-week program and final festival were captured on video by TMS’s very own production stream. Students spent the week learning about all things audio/visual and developing valuable skills to take home to their own corps and ministry.

Evening programs throughout the week consisted of meet the guest, talent and trivia, elective and mixed chorus program, as well as a concert from NEON, the Canadian staff worship team.

Yet the most important moments of TMS happened in worship. They happened in small groups,  over meals and during patio parties hosted by the territorial youth department.

“Perhaps the greatest hope for TMS 2026 is that the music will continue beyond the week,” says Venables. “That friendships will continue, skills learned will continue to develop and, most importantly, that encounters with God will continue to shape the lives of everyone who gathered together here.”