Salvation Army joins Schools for Harvest of Praise

 

The Salvation Army Citadel on Tolhouse Street was a hive of activity recently when members of The Salvation Army and four local schools gathered together for a joint Harvest Concert. Over 60 pupils from Edward Worlledge, Hillside, Caister High and Woodlands graced the platform and brought a whole repertoire of music, song and poetry. Songs such as ‘Fields of Gold’, ‘Beautiful World’, ‘Cry Me A River’ and ‘Me and Mrs Jones’, ‘Over the Rainbow’, ‘I Just Want To Run’, ‘Holiday’ and ‘There’s a Kind of Hush’ were sung by the children along with some seasonal Harvest songs such as ‘Conkers’ and ‘Harvest Samba’. There was even a poem all about the life of a Church Mouse which proved to be very entertaining and items featuring acoustic and bass guitar as well as several vocal solos.

 

The Salvation Army also had some special guests taking part in the evening. Mr Bram Bryant is a Soldier at Norwich Citadel Corps and a Salvation Army Bandsmen and is also the leader of the ‘Friends in Harmony’ Choir in Beccles. Mrs Elayne Green is a Soldier at Diss Salvation Army and along with being their Songster Leader is also the Musical Director of the Anglia Division’s Choral Fellowship (part of The Salvation Army).  Bram sang ‘You Raise Me Up’ by Westlife / Ronan Keating et al, ‘This Is My Moment’ from Jeckyl and Hyde, along with ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ by Bette Midler et al and ‘In Christ Alone’. Elayne sang ‘Over The Rainbow’ from the Wizard of Oz, ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables along with the ‘Lord Is My Shepherd’ from the Vicar of Dibley and ‘Make His Praise Glorious’ by Robin and Bill Wolaver.

 

The Hall was almost packed to capacity with some members of the congregation having to use the Balcony and along with the many family members and friends that came to listen to and support the children, a wonderful time was had by all. The congregation also got a chance to take part for the singing of two Harvest songs, ‘We Plough The Fields And Scatter’ and ‘Sowing In The Morning’. These were accompanied by Rachel Salton on the Piano who is the Secretary of the Schools Music Association and who helped organise the event.

 

The Timbrels also took part performing two routines and a thought on the real meaning of Harvest and the closing Benediction was brought by Major David Jackson, Divisional Commander of the Anglia Division of The Salvation Army. All in all a fantastic evening was had by all, the schools were a sheer joy to watch and listen to as well as being a true inspiration to everyone, so much so that people were still talking about the evening for days afterwards. The evening resulted in £200 being raised for the ongoing work of the Schools Music Association and a cheque for this value was presented to Mrs Rachel Salton by Lieutenant Rob Symons, Commanding Officer along with his wife Lieutenant Georgina Symons of the Great Yarmouth Corps. 

 

The Salvation Army is delighted to be able to work with the Schools Music Association and is very much looking forward to working with them again in the near future. Lieutenant Rob Symons would like to personally thank Mrs Rachel Salton (Secretary) and Mrs Valerie Miller (Chairperson) for all their help and support in making this event happen and in helping to forge what we hope will be a long lasting and fruitful partnership for many years to come. Watch out for some of the schools and The Salvation Army carol singing at Christmas. Lieutenant Symons would also like to thank all the children that took part from Edward Worlledge, Hillside, Caister High and Woodlands and all their Teachers. You were a real credit to your schools, a real blessing to everyone and your time was really appreciated.

 

If you would like any further information about the work of the Schools Music Association, please contact the Secretary, Mrs Rachel Salton via musicrmking@yahoo.co.uk. If you would like to see the Friends In Harmony Choir led by Mr Bram Bryant, they are performing a Christmas Praise concert at The Salvation Army Citadel on Tolhouse Street on Saturday 26th November. Contact Lieutenant Rob Symons via great.yarmouth@salvationarmy.org.uk or 01493 858 069 for more information and to reserve tickets.