Young People’s band in tune in Christmas build-up

08.01.2013

The YP band playing Christmas carols in Birmingham city centre

The Young People’s band was out in Birmingham and the West Midlands in the lead up to Christmas, presenting carols and concerts to local communities.

On 23 November, the YP band – along with the Singing Company (junior choir) – were greeted in the Blue Ribbon Mission Church in West Bromwich with decorative tables laden with food for an evening of celebration.

Through their music, the Band reminded those listening that they are “In the Lord’s Army” and were there to worship and celebrate God’s love. The congregation even joined in with singing and actions to a lively piece of music called “Great Big God”.

The YP band also presented Christmas music including the “Rocking Carol” and “Believe” from the movie ‘The Polar Express’. Euphonium player Kieran Sharman gave a beautiful solo during, “What can I give Him”.

The upbeat “Swing It, Shepherds” by the YP Band brought the thoroughly enjoyable evening to a conclusion.

On 3 December, the YP band featured at the Optima Community Association annual Community Christmas Carol singing – an event which is becoming increasingly popular each year.

The YP band helped to generate community spirit within the local Lea Bank area and encouraged local people to follow the route and stand on their balconies to hear the band play.

On 9 December, the YP band featured at ‘Christmas with the Salvation Army’ at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

The theme for this year’s celebration of Christmas was ‘Pictures of Christmas’, with the YP band focusing on the picture of the shepherds with a piece of music written especially for the event by Nicholas King entitled “Swing it Shepherds”.

The piece is based on the well-known Christmas Carols ‘While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night’ and ‘Rise Up Shepherd and Follow’, the initial bars of the music were played at the sedate pace with which many are familiar. The music then moved into a ‘swing time’ style which got the audience tapping their feet to the rhythm as the tempo increased.

On 15 December, the YP band was out again, this time in Birmingham city centre playing Christmas carols to the bustling Christmas shoppers.

And on the 17 December, for the third year running, the YP Band went to Walmley Village for its annual Christmas Celebration organised by the Christian group ‘Get Real’. The evening was led by Major Steve White – the leader of Birmingham Citadel – and a local school choir also took part.   There was also a first appearance by ‘Alvin’ the donkey from ‘The Donkey Sanctuary Assisted Therapy Centre’ in Sutton Park. It was a fresh, crisp evening was extremely well supported by the local community.

All of these events helped the YP band to present its message of Christmas to the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands and brought to an end a successful year of music-making.

Christmas with the Salvation Army - click here for more details ›