Eastern Territorial Songsters At Historical Park Street Church

Sunday, February 24th – It was a morning made for singing – a crystal-clear, nippy, sun-drenched New England morning. And beckoning from a corner of the Boston Common rose the graceful spire of Park Street Church. The spire itself is a song in architecture; and it was a beacon to the Eastern Territorial Songsters.

What an appropriate – almost hallowed – venue for the Songsters was this 199 year-old place of worship! It was here that “America” (My Country ‘tis of Thee) was first sung; it was Park Street’s organist, Lowell Mason, who wrote “Nearer My God to Thee” and “Joy to the World,” and it was from here that America’s oldest radio ministry – begun in 1923 – carried the message of those songs to the far corners of our country.

And on a personal and more contemporary note, the appropriateness of The Salvation Army Songsters’ presence was underscored by the fact that the Senior Minister of Park Street Church, Dr. Gorgon P. Hugenberger, had heard Christ’s call at The Army’s Camp Wonderland.
So on this morning, with Songster Leader William Rollins to guide them, the Songsters took their places to raise hearts and voices in His praise. Accompanying them at the piano was Christiane Russell.

With “There is a Redeemer," the Songsters opened the service with a core affirmation of why we had all gathered that morning. Then, following the strong message of that hymn, was a gorgeous rendering of Mozart’s version of the 13th century adoration poem “Ave Verum.”
After the invocation and the exchange of Peace greetings among the worshipers, the Songsters filled the sun-flooded church first with the beautiful “In Jesus’ Name” and then with the powerful and soaring “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name.”

At the beginning of the services, the Division Commander, Major William A. Bode, thanked the leadership of Park Street Church for the privileged invitation extended to The Salvation Army’s Songsters for them to join with the membership in giving praise and glory to God. He expressed the hope that the Songsters’ ministry of spreading the Gospel message through song would touch the hearts of all those who were present and send them home with a smile.
The final two songs of the morning’s services certainly did just that!

From this writer’s conversation with many of those who attended the services, the Songsters’ moving rendition of “Somebody Prayed for Me” brought forth a tear to the eye and a catch in the throat – it was so deeply and so personally moving in the way the Songsters shared their passion with the congregation.

Finally, after the closing blessing, the Songsters quickly broke into “Singing in the Heavenly Choir.” It was a delight to see the worshipers suddenly stop gathering their coats and break into rhythmic clapping to the beat of this rousing expression of the Christian joy that’s found in praising God through song – praising Him here and in the world to come. When the Songsters came to the last singing of the chorus, Songster Leader Rollins launched them into it with an energetic double-armed victory pump that brought everyone to their feet – and, as Major Bode had hoped, sent them home with a broad smile.

Needless to say, there was a prolonged standing ovation. Once again, from this writer’s own experience and from speaking with other individuals affiliated in some way with The Salvation Army – officers, soldiers, lay employees – we all quietly shared the same statement: “Don’t they make you feel proud to be part of The Army!”

--Thomas Langdon
Director of Community Relations & Development

Massachusetts Division

"WITH A VOICE OF SINGING"

With a Voice of Singing was the theme that encompassed a weekend in which the Eastern Territorial Songsters visited the Massachusetts Division to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ministry through vocal music was the goal behind the formation of this group and it was evident that this was the case throughout the weekend. The goal of the weekend ultimately was to minister the Gospel, but also to allow the delegates of this event to realize what they can do to enhance the worship at their corps using their voice and simple vocal techniques.
The Songsters arrived in Boston on the evening of Wednesday, February 20th, for two days of vocal rehearsal and preparation before the weekend. This group only meets four times a year, so practice when they are together is important to prepare them for their ministry. Not only did these extra days help them prepare for the weekend ahead, but it also kept them ahead of a sizeable snowstorm in Boston and the northeast on Friday. The Lord is awesome! He is always in control, even well in advance!

A united session started Saturday morning off in which delegates got their first taste of the Songsters in two songs, Singing in the Heavenly Choir and Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit. These songs made me want to get up and stomp my feet right from the start of the day. This was only a taste of what we would hear from the Songsters the rest of the day and certainly got us off to a great start.

Following these toe-tappers we heard from several people in the division sharing why they like to sing which was followed by a sing-along with B/M Anne Langille. This session was concluded with a rendition of the theme for the weekend With a Voice of Singing in which the delegates joined with the Songsters to practice for their combined performance in the Festival of Song later in the evening.

The afternoon was filled with vocal seminars taught by members of the Songsters. The sessions included Getting Boys to Sing with Major Stephen Ditmer, Success with Girls Voices with Lieutenant Patricia Wood, Confidence with Simple Vocal Technique with YP B/M David Cornish, Getting Beyond Vocal Challenges with B/M Erik Jones and My Congregational Singing with S/L William L. Rollins. These sessions provided information on how to enhance the worship experience at your corps by using simple and practical techniques that will bring out the best in any group.

After a spectacular evening meal provided by the Boston Central Hispanic Corps, the Songsters joined with local corps vocal groups for the Festival of Song. Starting off the program was a rousing performance of I Feel Like Praising Him followed by a lovely rendition of In Jesus Name by the Territorial Songsters. This was a highlight of the evening for me. The sensitivity and presentation of this was a real tribute to the hard work and dedication of the Songsters and the expertise and sensitivity of S/L William Rollins. The first contributor from the Massachusetts Division that evening was the South End Youth Chorus performing You are the Living Word and New Season. It was good to see the youth of the division participating and lifting up their voices to God! This was followed by the ETS Dineros, a male quartet in the style of a gospel quartet. These four gentlemen offered up performances of Jesus Loves Me and When We All Get Together. You got a taste of the real technique here from the highest of tenor to the lowest of bass voices. What a treat! S/L William Rollins got the toes tapping again with a good old fashioned sing-a-long followed by the Songsters singing Song for a Prodigal as their offering while others gave monetarily to the Lord during the offertory. The Roxbury Songsters proved to all that you are never too old to sing or dance as they offered their renditions of Lord I Lift Up Your Name and To God Be the Glory.

The only group to sing acapella for the evening was the Quincy Band Chorus singing two old time favorites My Jesus I Love Thee and White as Snow. In the final portion of the festival, the Songsters brought their last two planned items of the evening with Let Us Break Bread sung by the men and a soulful version of the Hallelujah Chorus entitled Hallelujah which again got many dancing for the Lord!

All voices united for the finale of the evening With a Voice of Singing. There is nothing like the sound of 120 people singing to the Lord all at the same time. What a fitting end for an evening of song!

Of course, no concert is complete without an encore. The Songsters without much coaxing allowed us to once again enjoy the rousing Singing in the Heavenly Choir before heading out into the cold wintery night. We certainly went out with a song in our hearts singing joy to our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

While most of us went home and to our own corps on Sunday, the Songsters had one more early-morning stop to make at the famous Park Street Church in Boston, where they participated in two worship services using their gifts to enhance the worship of that church.
After a long four days of hard work, some had a long trip home and others not. However, the one thing that remained here in Boston was the Spirit from the ministry of the Songsters over the weekend. What a wonderful time of ministry in song and praise to our Father and Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with the talents exhibited this weekend. We will be singing these songs in our hearts for many days to come. Thank you Eastern Territorial Songsters for what you have brought us. It will not soon be forgotten.

-- Rick Castillo, Jr
Quincy Corps
Massachusetts Division