JUNE 9-12, 2022 – The USA East Commissioning 2022 weekend brought a good number of salvationists from around the territory together once again in beautiful Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Although the primary purpose of the weekend was to commission the newest Salvation Army Officers, the days and nights were filled with meaningful times of worship, reflection, teaching and yes, competing!
Music has always been a major player in the eastern territory’s mission with the long-standing Salvationist Star Search being a highlight each year. Several of the territorial music and arts groups came together in unified worship items throughout the weekend and special guest Christian music artist, Danny Gokey were just some of the musical highlights at Commissioning 2022.
The three territorial music ensembles: The New York Staff Band, Eastern Territory Staff Songsters and Territorial Worship Band, Unbound always serve in a support role at the annual commissioning weekend. Their music is featured as preliminary items as well as congregational singing and special selections. However, this is the first time that all three ensembles along with the cadet’s chorus came together in a special night of worship to kick off the events of the next few days entitled ‘In Perfect Unity’. The Eastern Territory Staff Songsters under the leadership of Erik Jones and Lily Finikin presented a beautiful rendition of Carol Cymbala’s gospel song ‘Make Us One’ with the opening lines featuring a vocal solo by Junior Soldier, Caroline Lance of the Spring Valley, NY Corps. Cadet Darner Montilla interspersed each verse with scripture as members of Unbound’s rhythm section helped the song to build, driving home the point of being together in one accord.
Next, Unbound under the leadership of Doug Berry invited the large congregation to rise and worship in an arrangement of two songs, ‘Raise a Hallelujah’ and ‘Do it Again’ that would be augmented by the entire New York Staff Band (Derek Lance) acting as a huge horn section and all of the combined voices of the ETSS and cadet chorus which led to an enthusiastic greeting from Territorial Commanders, Commissioners William and Lorraine Bamford.
After another song from Unbound, the congregation welcomed rising star in the Christian music scene and past American Idol runner-up, Danny Gokey who, along with backing keyboard player and guitarist presented an inspiring evening of contemporary Christian pop music.
The following day would need all hands-on deck for the annual Territorial Star Search Talent Display. This event started several decades ago as a brass and vocal solo competition but has grown to now include 15 categories in music and arts with around 1000 participants competing at the territorial finals. Highlights of Star Search 2022 were the inclusion of two new categories, Drum Set and Bass Guitar. The test music for these categories works in conjunction with the Acoustic Guitar category and can be used together or in any combination of the three for use at the corps level. Interestingly, Assistant Territorial Music Secretary and founding member and bassist of Unbound was able to present the very first Bass Guitar trophy to his 8-year-old son Sebastian Morton who participated at Territorial Star Search for the first time. It was a treat to see over 2000 people gathered for the awards ceremony after a long day of presentations and was a testament to the hard work of Divisional Music Directors, corps officers, corps music leaders and parents and is a good sign for the health of music ministry in the eastern territory.
Other highlights of the Star Search awards ceremony were being able to feature the 2022 Future All Star Band in a sort of reunion from earlier in the year. Just about every student from the Future All Stars Band was present and featured music from their concert in March of 2022. As has been a tradition in the Salvation Army for many years, our corps bands and songsters have their own youth versions in YP Bands and Singing Companies. The White Plains, NY Corps featured their new ‘youth’ worship band full of guitars and percussion and keyboards and brought the house down with their exciting songs both in English and Spanish! The finale, and bringing Star Search 2022 to close, brought all Singing Companies that competed that day to sing together in a massed version of Kevin Larsson’s ‘He Loves Me’.
If it hadn’t already been a long enough day, everyone quickly moved to another large gathering space to enjoy a time of refreshments whilst being serenaded by the ETSS, winning YP Band – Montclair Citadel and Singing Company, Englewood, NJ along with Territorial Dance Team – MOVE and most importantly, the cadet timbrel brigade! It was a long, tiring but extremely fulfilling day in which the Lord was honored.
There were several other special musical moments over the course of the weekend, not counting out Dorothy Gates beautiful arrangement of the song ‘Build my Life’ entitled ‘The Prayer of Jesus’ and several more selections from the NYSB, ETSS and Unbound. Each group and participant were used for the glory and honor of the Lord and were sure to be a blessing to many.
By Simon Morton, Assistant Territorial Music Secretary
