Reports
AYCB Article
Friday 2nd September 2011
Beracah Music International brings the gift of music to life
in an outstanding inaugural summer music and worship conference for young people.
By Deborah Baidoo
The Creative Arts School of Excellence known as casX is an initiative of Beracah Music International in conjunction with City Gates Christian Centre endorsed by London School of Theology. This summer casX founders and directors, Steve and Velveta Thompson launched the first ever Children's Residential Music and Worship Conference 'All You Can Be' (AYCB) for young people (8 to 17 year olds) based on Philippians 4:13, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me... '
From 17th to 23rd August 2011, 29 young people attended the week-long inaugural Children's Residential Music and Worship Conference hosted at the esteemed London School of Theology (LST) where Steve Thompson is a member of the faculty as a lecturer.
The first annual AYCB conference kicked of to a roaring success, with a full programme bringing young people a blend of fun, fellowship, worship, music tuition and discipleship.
The directors Steve and Velveta Thompson, were joined by other renowned musicians, vocalists and worship leaders in delivering expert tuition to the young people. Tutors for music and vocals included Carl Stanbridge, Dave Brons, Gill Hayward, Sam Blake, Denise Bryce, Mark Beswick, John Fisher, Sarah Harrison, Richard Hubbard, Pete Lawson, and Clive Ross. Tutors for dance and sport included Sherelle Murrill, Michael Douglas, Michael Broome and Roger Lamothe.
Each young person had an amazing opportunity to learn from these seasoned musicians and develop their musical ability in the context of worship, with workshops on bass, guitar, acoustic or electric guitar, keyboards, drums, violin, flute, vocal training, electronic sequencing, song writing, dance and so much more.
Steve Thompson remarked, "We believe there must be excellence in all you do, especially our worship. Our mandate was to teach and show the students different creative ways to worship, whether it is fellowshipping and hanging out with each other or singing and playing, using songs to worship Jesus!" a vision which is shared and delivered in conjunction with City Gates Christian Centre and the London School of Theology.
Young people were given the freedom to choose a specialist instrument for group tuition and later for one-to-one tuition with expert musicians. Without exception all the young people were able to showcase the skills they had learned and form a band, write songs, and perform in a choir, which was a first for many of the young people. The young delegates were also given unrestricted access to the grounds and facilities at LST.
Creative worship was another focal point of the conference, young people were given the opportunity to worship freely, and other creative artistic forms of worship were encouraged including dance, sign language, and art. Velveta Thompson observed, "The greatest impact for me was the sincere worship that flowed from each child as they connected with God … this was my dream fulfilled" and Velveta also said, "When I thought that these children's lives was going to be changed, I never once imagined that my life would also be transformed…"
The theme of the conference and devotional times were centred on the Fruits of the Spirit i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Tutors and a host of dedicated volunteers mentored the young people, spending time with them during and after their workshops by providing support and advice.
Even amongst the discovery of new talent the founders Steve and Velveta Thompson maintained an atmosphere where developing music skills and heart for worship in each young person was emphasised above individual talent. This approach contributed to the electric atmosphere where young people could be found practising instruments, writing songs and collaborating with one another in their free time.
Gill Hayward commented about one of the methods used at casX to teach pupils to play the keyboard, "In my normal teaching practice pupils take about 3-5 weeks to learn to play a piece, practicing one hand at a time then both hands. It can be hard work both for the pupil and the teacher. But with this method in the space of a 20 or 30 minute lesson the pupil has all the tools they need to play a song whilst singing the melody line and within another 20 or 30 minutes of practice they are released to use that song in worship".
Aside from developing music skills, each day the young people also had sessions for sports, free time to watch a movie, visit the games room or relax with the much loved hot chocolate.
Metro Kids, a community children's club run by City Gates Christian Centre in Ilford for young people in the local area were treated to a complimentary day at the AYCB conference.
The conference culminated in a Grand finale Concert featuring the performances from 3 bands for the various age groups, songs written at the conference by the young people and the 'All You Can Be' Choir including the performance of Joyful, Joyful led by Mark Beswick.
The seven days of enc
ouragement, inspiration and instruction finished with a certificate ceremony and recognition of each individual young persons achievements. It was clear from the Grand finale Concert that CasX team had successfully combined worship and music workshops and that an incredible time was had by all those gathering at LST for the first of many AYCB conferences to come; young people, tutors, volunteers and of course the proud parents in the audience. Carl and Lynne, parents of one young delegate said of their daughter "she cant stop talking about the wonderful experience and teaching she received".
There is now an air of anticipation as the casX team plan for the next year's AYCB conference and they have already been inundated with bookings before the dates of the next conference have even been released.
Though we casX has not set a date for the next AYCB Conference, you can now Sign-Up your child to receive more information
Special thanks to all our sponsors and supportors.
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| Christian Music Publishers | City Gates Christian Centre | casX | London School of Theology |
More information can be found on the website
Web: Creative Arts School of Excellence
Tel: Tigist Teferi Head of administration on 07949 091586 or 07521 470628
Email: Administration on casx@beracahmusic.co.uk