Fifty Years in the Making
Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda National School of Music/Territorial Music School Alumni Day
It was August 28, 1988. My parents dropped my brother and I off at Jackson’s Point Conference Centre. This was my first National School of Music camp. At sixteen, I was excited and unsure what to expect from the week. The first evening was always full of entertainment (The Grand Old Duke of York anyone?). I was in the vocal stream that year. The eight years that followed I was in the band, including three crazy years on Eb bass (proud moment, owning the title first women tuba player at camp if I’m not mistaken).
At National (now Territorial Music School) you meet young, talented people from across the territory. Some of the best times were spent after the evening program. Between the Ode to Newfoundland sung as loud as could be and chatting with faculty and students, there never was a dull moment. During free time you would almost always hear band people practicing throughout the hallways of the conference centre. As camp would come to a close, tears were shed, spirits were renewed and a love for Christ had grown in each faculty member and camper. It is amazing to believe this camp has been around for 50 years.
On August 25 this year I was blessed to take part in the National Alumni Day. Activities included a mass choir led by Lynn Jane and Heather Osmond, and an alumni band led by Keven Hayward and Craig Lewis. Also included was a timbral drill organized by Serena Fairweather and euphonium solos by Robert Miller. Tim Braund, who attended the very first camp in 1969, spoke that evening of his time as both student and faculty over the years. It was great seeing so many former students and faculty I had gone to camp with. The day went by fast and before we knew it, it was time to head home.
Salvation Army music camps hold a special place in my heart. I was a student for over 15 years (nine at National). National however was something different. It was full of great music, talented young people, lots of laughter and tears, and the greatness of God. As I headed home after camp each year, I felt a renewed love and devotion to Jesus and the music in the Salvation Army. I would start the next school year fueled with the spirit of the Lord and counting down the days until the next National. The Alumni day brought back that same feeling. After 21 years of absence, I will be rejoining the baritone section of my corps band this fall (sorry Rob Brown, no tuba this time), and feel a renewed commitment to God.
I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the day – expect perhaps making it last longer. Counting down to the 75th anniversary alumni day!
Originally Published in the September 2019 issue of MAGA // ZINE
