Territorial Youth Band and Choir 2026: A little light music

Issy and Kaelan share their experiences at TYB and TYC.

Issy (Chatham)

This year marked my third Territorial Youth Choir (TYC). I was greeted with familiar faces from previous years, but it gave me the chance to make new friends with young people from across the territory. The theme of the week revolved around light, how Jesus shines his light on us, and how we can shine his light for others to see.

Captain Megan Kervin (Edinburgh Gorgie), our spiritual leader, shared many thoughtful messages, focusing on verses such as John 8:12 and Matthew 5:14. Our cell groups enabled us to have in-depth discussions about each day’s topic, partnered with laughter and sweets! Kairos – a time for personal reflection and decision after cell group discussion – gave us time to reflect on the Bible teachings each day and give our problems, praises and gratitude to God.

On Monday night, we met with Territorial Youth Band (TYB) on the beach, where we gathered in a circle and sang ‘Here I Am to Worship’ together. Being on the beach at night felt incredibly peaceful and built a sense of unity and togetherness.

During the week, we had the opportunity to choose a daily workshop to attend. I chose media, creating videos and other media to share memories about the week and our faith.

Each night at TYC, we had an activity, which always promised an evening full of fun and games. We took part in a 1% Club quiz, a charades and karaoke night, a themed murder mystery – Death on the TY Sea, which was especially entertaining – and a brilliant silent disco! Some of my favourite songs were choir leader Karl Westwood’s arrangement of ‘Washed’ by Elevation Rhythm, one of my favourite worship songs, ‘Let the River Run’ and ‘This Is the Day’.

TYC is always a highlight of my year, playing a huge role in my life both spiritually and musically. This week has a big impact on my journey with God. Some of my personal highlights this year were making ‘church camp bracelets’ for those attending, playing intense rounds of Uno and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and the new friendships I made.

Thank you to the incredibly kind staff and students, Karl and the Music and Creative Arts team for making these weeks possible. TYC is truly a blessing and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Kaelan (Regent Hall)

February half-term has been one of my favourite weeks for the past seven years, as I have had the opportunity to attend TYB in Bournemouth.

On Monday night, following auditions, food and the first rehearsal, we headed to the beach for a time of prayer and worship with TYC. Standing on the beach, singing and praying with lots of like-minded people was a memory that I will hold with me. We were all given glow sticks, which introduced this year’s theme, In the Light.

Many of the pieces chosen for TYB to play followed this theme. Our major piece was ‘Renaissance’ by Peter Graham, featuring the tune ‘Come Into Our World’. We also really enjoyed learning a really fun new piece, ‘My Lighthouse’ by Martin Cordner, where we had to move and even sing! One of the most memorable pieces we played this year was Dean Goffin’s iconic ‘The Light of the World’, which was inspired by William Holman Hunt’s picture of Christ standing at our heart’s closed door. We were all given copies of the artwork to take away, with the words associated with the main tune on the back.

Following a full day of rehearsals on Tuesday, we had a session where International Staff Bandmaster Jonathan Evans was interviewed by Matthew Frost. This gave us the chance to find out a bit more about the new conductor of TYB. After rehearsals and worship on Wednesday evening, there was a murder mystery with music-related clues for us to solve. This was a new activity for TYB, but it was really fun.

On the last evening of TYB, there is traditionally a review of the week, where observations are made of funny things that have happened during the week and awards are given out.

On Friday, it was time to pack up and head the concert venue, Poole’s Lighthouse, for a final rehearsal before the final festival with TYC. It was great to have so many people come to listen to us and to get to play together.

I enjoyed my TYB experience immensely and I would encourage any young brass players between the ages of 12 and 18 to go. You won’t regret it!

Carys Hooper (Regent Hall)

The 28th annual Territorial Youth Band and Territorial Youth Choir culminated in a vibrant festival.

More than 100 staff and young people between the ages of 12 and 20 met for a week of music, Bible study and worship.

TYB opened the concert with the stirring ‘Praise His Name’ by Paul Sharman, with the band led for the first time by International Staff Bandmaster Jonathan Evans.

TYC, led by Karl Westwood (Bromley Temple), brought warmth and energy through Bill Withers’ ‘Lovely Day’, arranged by Robert T Gibson, and Elevation Rhythm’s ‘Washed’.

TYB honoured Salvation Army heritage with ‘The Light of the World’ by Dean Goffin and Peter Graham’s ‘Renaissance’. TYC closed the first half with an impressively technical performance of Taylor Scott Davis’s ‘Magnificat I: Magnificat Anima Mea’ and ‘Magnificat V: Gloria Patri’, woven with the traditional isiXhosa song ‘Indodana’.

The second half explored the week’s theme of In the Light more deeply. TYC opened with ‘The Spark of Creation’ from the musical Children of Eden, featuring soloists Anna (Regent Hall) and Ben (Chelmsford). The massed item ‘King of Kings’ united both groups in powerful worship. Martin Cordner’s arrangement of ‘My Lighthouse’ followed – an exuberant presentation involving choreography and even singing from the band.

After TYC’s moving rendition of Stephen Bulla’s ‘When We Cannot See Our Way’, Abigail (Liverpool Walton) and Grace (Bristol Citadel) shared thought-provoking testimonies.

TYB’s dramatic ‘Holy Forever’ by Marcus Venables led into the benediction, Flora and John Larsson’s ‘A Light in Heaven’s Window’.

The evening stood as a joyful celebration of outstanding musicianship and young people shining Christ’s light.