USA East Music BULLETIN - WINTER 2018/19 - ISSUE 1 | Page 5

THE MELODY OF LIFE
By Katie Knickerbocker, Quincy Temple, MA
On December 27th, hundreds of Salvationist
musicians, including myself, from across the
country and from around the world met at
Camp Mt. Crags in California. Eight youth
bands – one from each territory in the US, as
well as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and
Canada – joined as one to prepare for the
historic Tournament of Roses Parade, where
we would represent The Salvation Army in its
T H E S A LVAT I O N A R M Y U S A E A S T
100th consecutive march, the first band to
reach this milestone.
As soon as I arrived, the whirl-wind
schedule of rehearsals and marching and
outings ensued. With such a big anniversary
to celebrate and with so many of us in the
same space together, we had many special
opportunities besides the parade itself. We
were able to participate in BandFest with
the other bands from the parade, playing
for thousands of people in the stands at
Pasadena City College. On Sunday, the eight
territorial bands split up and led worship at
eight different corps in the California South
division. The USA East band went to the Santa
Ana corps, and though I did not understand
much of what was said, God’s presence was
evident as we met with and sang with the
congregation.
The night after we arrived, we were split
into eight randomized bands, each led by
various territorial music leaders. Several
rehearsals were held in these bands, and
on January 2nd, we held a big “unofficial
international music camp” concert at the
Tustin Ranch corps. Being able to play
under and sit next to Salvationists I would
not normally have the chance to meet
was awesome and playing music together
for God’s glory made for a very
powerful evening.
Spending a week in California,
when we were not rehearsing or
marching, we spent time with old
and new friends having fun. We
were able to explore Old Pasadena
and Hollywood for a few hours
each. We went bowling and had
our own New Years’ Eve celebration
at camp – though, most people
turned in early because of the
parade the next morning. The
day before we left for home, we
marched together for the last time
and had free time at Disneyland.
The parade itself was incredible.
It was a very early morning, and
the 5.5-mile march felt longer
in uniform. But the privilege of
spreading God’s message through
music, with about 400 other
Salvationists from every continent, was one
that I will never forget or take for granted.
Our sea of red tunics produced a loud sound,
proclaiming OUR story of God’s amazing
grace. As we marched, I prayed, and I believe
that God used our tunes to touch the lives of
those who listened, bringing the “melody of
life” to everyone who heard. ■
W I N T E R 2019 | USA EAST MUSIC BULLETIN • 5