Territorial Music School 2024: An inspiring week

Students from the 2024 Territorial Music School share their experiences.

Mia Laird: Musical theatre

Coming to TMS is always an absolute highlight of my year. This year’s experience was brilliant. It’s always so refreshing to be surrounded by so many young people, good friends, who love to worship through music and performing. It was a very spiritual and inspiring week filled with interesting Bible stories, music and lots of laughs.

I really enjoy being a part of the musical theatre main study. Musical theatre is a big passion of mine so being able to combine that with my spiritual life is really amazing.

One song we worked on that I found particularly moving was ‘No One Is Alone’ from Into the Woods. It focuses on the challenges of growing up and the importance of community, realising that we all go through similar struggles in our lives. Through the lyrics of this song, I feel we were able to convey the spirit of God and create a very heartfelt performance.

The worship sessions were always so touching and it was lovely to come together every day to reflect and to sing songs we all know and love. Overall it was another tiring but fantastic week. I look forward to coming again next year!

Grace Anyon: Contemporary worship

This was my first TMS. It was slightly nerve-racking as I usually get quite anxious about trying new things and meeting new people, however the introduction of contemporary worship, led by Dan Elson (Music and Creative Arts), piqued my interest and pushed me to sign up for the week. As soon as I arrived, I was made to feel welcome by both staff members and other students. After I had completed my audition, I felt much more at ease.

At the beginning of the week in the contemporary worship option, we were asked what we wanted to get out of the week. Some wanted to learn what it meant to worship, others to enhance skills, but the consensus was what mattered most was making good music for a good God. And that’s exactly what we did.

We looked at a range of music – from jazzy arrangements of older songs to music that was completely new to us – as well as looking at different ways to worship God, based on translations of Hebrew and Greek words from Scripture. My other elective for the week was songwriting, also with Dan, in which we learnt how to write authentic, Scripture-rooted songs that were accessible for a broader congregation. This was a new skill for me to develop, which, again, was quite scary, but I was able to write a chorus and I am eager to finish the song and share it.

The theme for the week was God’s Story, and a huge part of where I fit into that is by making music. I have always been involved with some music group or another within my corps and this is what has led me to discover and develop my faith and ultimately to where I am now. Throughout the week were so many God-filled moments, in the music by each group and the time spent socialising and exploring God’s Story.

I am already looking forward to next year!

Grace Williams: Vocal

I attend my local corps and I am 16. I am part of the senior and YP bands and sing in the songsters and play the piano in the worship group.

This was my first TMS. I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. I had attended TYC and TYB, but I was conscious that the age range was very different! As soon as I arrived, I was met with friendly faces and I quickly relaxed and started to enjoy myself.

The whole experience was incredible, the staff were so friendly and being in the college felt like such a privilege.

I was part of the vocal group, which was a fantastic opportunity to learn new music and stretch my musical capability. More importantly, I found it was a great experience to be able to worship and connect to God through the singing.

Our cell groups were age-based, meaning we could strengthen our spiritual connection with God. One of the most powerful experiences was during our worship evening, when the Holy Spirit was working among many of us, me included. I will be forever grateful for the staff and my friends helping along this spiritual journey.

For anyone who’s considering attending TMS, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. You’ll make memories and friends that will last a lifetime!