Another inspiring week at Territorial Music School (TMS) took place at the end of August, marking the finale of summer festivities and sending participants home feeling excited about another year of ministry. Held at Guelph Bible Conference Centre, Ont., the annual gathering brought together Salvationists ages 16 to 30 from across the Canada and Bermuda Territory. 

Led by Heather Osmond, territorial music and arts secretary, and the music and arts ministries department, TMS is a vital event that fosters musical, leadership and spiritual development skills for both students and faculty. 

Special guests were invited from territories worldwide, including Derek Lance, bandmaster of the New York Staff Band in the U.S.A. Eastern Territory, who led the “A” band; Karl Westwood of the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, vocal guest and leader of the mainstream and “A” choruses; and Captain Erin Wikle out of the U.S.A. Western Territory who led the worship mainstream and elective.

Lance’s “A” band worked on Andrew Wainwright’s Rhapsody on St. Francis as well as the newly composed piece entitled Concurrence by Marcus Venables. With only four rehearsals to work together, Lance challenged the band to achieve a new level of musicianship. 

At the final festival at Guelph Citadel, the two mainstream bands, led by Rob Brown and Andrew Poirier, played Philip Harper’s King of the Seven Heavens and Kenneth Downie’s Spirit of the Pioneers. The mainstream and “A” choruses, led by Westwood, performed Andrew Wicker’s He Will Hold Me Fast in front of the full house.

The worship guest, Captain Wikle, is a talented singer and songwriter with a passion for ministry. Throughout the week, she led the camp together in worship and shared encouragement with small groups. 

This year, TMS launched a new production mainstream, which was recently identified as an area of need for creative ministry in the territory. Led by Matthew Osmond, children and youth media ministry consultant; William Chinnery, multimedia specialist for the Canadian Staff Band; and Sean van Gulik, project specialist, music, it focused on how to enhance live and online worship experiences through audio, video, live streaming and projection. 

The Bible guest this year was Major Kevin Metcalf, who spoke from the Book of Romans, examining the Christian life and the call to holiness. Delegates reflected on their individual lives and the transformation of the Holy Spirit within. Hearts were stirred during the final Bible session on Thursday morning as students and faculty shared in moments of prayer. 

“It is promising to see how the students who attend are deeply passionate about Salvation Army music ministry. They are eager to carry on this ministry for the future and continue to seek God’s will for their lives,” says Marcus Venables, assistant territorial music and arts secretary. “Our prayer is that as we look ahead to TMS 2024 and beyond, the Holy Spirit will move among us all and stir us to live holy lives as we continue to serve in his name.”