a magic weekend

The past weekend has been quite busy with all the goings on. The goings on have been thus.

On Friday evening, the Ireland Youth Chorus, over for the whole Gospel Arts weekend, did a concert with the Household Troops Band. It was a great evening, with some fantastic music by both band and choir, as well as by Damian Wileman as vocal soloist.

Saturday was the Gospel Arts concert itself at the Royal Albert Hall. There was no visiting band this year, but a Massed Youth Chorus from all corners of the territory. The evening was as good as it has been in the last few years and the selection of music was great. A particular highlight was the "Hillsong Praise" finale, four Hillsong songs in an arrangement by Andrew Mackereth, bandmaster at Nuneaton. It featured "That's What We Came For", "The Potter's Hand", "Church on Fire" and "The Power of Your Love" and was performed by the International Staff Band, the International Staff Songsters and Massed Youth Chorus.

In a move from the tradition that one would expect from a Gospel Arts festival, Electralyte were featured playing two of their songs. The guys from the band are all top blokes and I thoroughly recommend their first album, "Breakout" and their new album being recorded this summer when it comes out.

Phil Cobb, former Expressions guest soloist, played with the International Staff Band and was in fine form. It is great to see that the Army is still raising talented musicians in "traditional" and "modern" circles. He played Kenny Baker's "Virtuosity" with the level of skill that he has displayed for a number of years.

On Sunday morning I ventured to Staines Corps to see the Youth Chorus and my Irish chums again. The songs were excellent, the drama was entertaining and relevant and Adam Moore did a great job of preaching. The whole meeting was rounded of by a number of people kneeling at the front in response.

Having a father who is the Director for Evangelism for Ireland has its perks, as I was invited to share in some lunch with the choir before their return. The gang got changed from their morning meeting gear into their flying gear and I was met by my dear friend Heather. She was wearing a t-shirt commemorating the "great" victory of "Norn Iron" over my homeland. So just for all those Ulster based readers:-



That of course led to a bit of banter, so ribbing about the rivalry and a couple of verses of some NI football songs. I quote.


Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where HEALY, HEALY, HEALY!

I gave in and played "We're Not Brazil, We're Northern Ireland" on my phone.

Timmy "Norn Iron 24% win rate" Magic