Fanfare of
Praise
2006
Territorial Music Institute and Music Conservatories
TMI facilitates
musical and spiritual depth
Story and photos by Laura Williamson 
"Senora... 1, 2, 3 e-and-ah 4... Do I sound flat?... Do, Re,
Mi..." These were the sounds heard upon arrival at Camp Heart O'Hills
for the 66th Southern Territorial Music Institute. From July 22-31, 239
delegates and staff members, including nine international delegates and two
delegates from the USA Eastern Territory, came to worship God and sharpen their
music skills under the direction of Dr. Richard Holz.
Special guests were Colonels Robert and Gwenyth Redhead.Robert
Redhead composed the theme song, "A Fanfare of Praise," which
features the hymn tune "Fairest Lord Jesus," and its captivating
performance by the SouthernTerritorial Band kicked off the week.
Besides the theme song, another meaningful song throughout the
week was a Redhead family favorite, "One Life to Live." Composed by
Robert Redhead, the song has memorialized special family milestones such as
children's weddings and the births of grandchildren. About the song,
Redhead said, "It was the ‘voiced' expression of the experience
of a deepening relationship between those present and our Lord."
That deepening relationship with the Lord was one of many things
that delegates learned from the Redheads at TMI. More learning took place under
the Sunday morning tutelage of the territorial leaders, Commissioners Max and
Lennie Feener.
The preview of bands included several
noteworthy divisional performances. The Kimball Band stepped it up and played a
grade II piece named "Royal Banner," the Cox Chorus sang "O Be
Joyful in The Lord" and the Longino Band played "God With
Us."
One of the week's highlights was a special
concert featuring critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Sara Groves.
The worship team set the tone for the Gospel Arts finale, produced
by Jude Gotrich, while the drama majors performed a choreodrama titled
"The Door" and the vocal majors sang "Jesus is the Song."
Other performances included timbrels, drama elective, percussion elective,
sacred dance and an international delegate, Nicholas Chagas, who performed
"En Tu Presencia," which is Spanish for "In Your Presence."
The finale ended with a standing ovation for the jazz ensemble's
performance.
While three-fourths of each day at TMI was
spent practicing, there was still time left for morning devotions - led by
Majors Allan and Fiona Hofer - a staff vs. delegates softball game, a picnic, a
basketball game, a volleyball competition and a soccer game.
The festival that concluded this year's TMI featured the
Longino Band playing "Winchester Revival" and "Glorifico
Aeternum," the Kellner Chorus singing "We Sing Praises to Thee,"
the Ward Band playing "Moses" and the Hall Band playing "Lord,
Reign in Me." The TMI chorus sang "Praise the Lord," and the TMI
Band brought the house down with their rendition of "Pastoral
Symphony."
This year's TMI gave delegates a chance
to refine their skills, cement long-lasting friendships and worship God through
music. "One of the lasting results," said Robert Redhead, "will
be the commitments that were made and the depth of fellowship that developed,
which will now help us to keep our focus clear in our ministry wherever God has
placed us."
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