Southern Territorial Band Tour Visits the Arkansas & Oklahoma Division
The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma hosted the Southern Territorial Brass Band for a concert in Bethany, Oklahoma on Saturday, January 22nd. The concert was held at the Herrick Auditorium which is located on the campus of Southern Nazarene University in northwest Oklahoma City.
In the days leading up to the concert, The Salvation Army’s Southern Territorial Band spent time at Camp Heart O’ Hills in Tahlequah, Oklahoma where they held joint rehearsals and a time of retreat with the Arkansas & Oklahoma Divisional Band.
“I cannot overstate the importance of the Southern Territorial Band’s ministry of encouragement and support of local Salvation Army musicians throughout the territory. This was on full display at Camp Heart O’ Hills in how the band ministered to the AOK Divisional Band," said Andrew Barrington, Divisional Music Director for the Arkansas & Oklahoma Division. "Not only did the AOK Divisional Band get the opportunity to be instructed by legendary musicians like Bandmaster Nick Simmons-Smith, Dr. Steve Kellner, and Captain Lars-Otto Ljungholm, simple words of encouragement from members of the STB made such an enormous impact that will challenge all of us to be better. We all see the incredible ministry of the Southern Territorial Band in performance and live worship but it is often these “behind the scenes” moments that make the most impact – similar to feet washing in other expressions of ministry.”
Southern Territorial Band Conductor Nick Simmons-Smith, remarking on the ministry that a band tour has on a community, stated that "the Saturday night concert was well-attended, with many concert go-ers new to the Army, new to brass band music, and many may have been unchurched. The concert had a wonderful atmosphere as the band proclaimed the name of Jesus through word and music."
Wrapping up the Band’s time in Oklahoma was a time of worship on Sunday morning at the Oklahoma City Citadel Corps. Highlights of the church service included Brian Bowen’s “My Comfort and Strength, as well as a personal testimony from Bandsmen Jacob Mitchell.
For more information about The Salvation Army's Southern Territorial band, visit SouthernTerritorialBand.com
For more information about music programs within The Salvation Army of Arkansas & Oklahoma, visit AOKMusicAndArts.com