AKWB & TIMBREL PERFORM AT YEAR 2007 STATE GOVERNMENT'S CHRISTMAS CAROL FESTIVAL
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio played host to over 3,000 guests who came to share in the Year 2007 State Government-organized Chrismas Carol Festival. The festival was held at the Old Governor's Office Premises - Government House, Uyo on the evening of Saturday, December 22, 2007.
The AKWB - Akwa Ibom West Divisional Band (B/M Joseph M. Akpan) and the Divisional Timbrel Brigade (T/L Helen J. Akpan) featured prominently at the festival. 10 Church choirs, Ibom Choral Voices, and the State's Civil Service Choir also perfomed at the event. The Church Choirs were St Stephen's African Church Cathedral Choir - Uyo, the Apostolic Church District Choir - Ikot Ntuen Oku, St. Ann's Cathedral Diocesan Choir - Ikot Ekpene, Goodnews Community Youths Choir - Abak, Qua Iboe Church's House of Praise - Etinan, Assemblies of God Youth Choir - Uyo, Methodist Church Cathedral Choir - Oron, Qua Iboe Church Choir - Edebom 1, St. John Bosco's Quasi- Parish Choir - Uyo, and Seventh Day Adventist Church Choir - Eket. Each of the the Choirs performed a song.
The AKWB played 18 carol pieces throughout the festival - featuring a carol piece at the end of each choir's rendition commencing with Carol of the Drum to Jingle Bells, Mary's Boy Child, Deck the Halls, Away in a Manger, Auld Lang Syne, Starry Night, Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer etc.
Some other special highlights of the festival were the sparkling display by the S.A Timbrel Brigade and a brilliant vocal solo performance of White Christmas by His Excellency, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, the State's Deputy Governor, accompanied by the AKWB. Governor Godswill Akpabio read the Christmas story as recorded in Luke 2:1-2 and then the congregation sang Once in Royal David's City.
Towards the end of the festival, all invited choirs - over 400 voices in all, with the AKWB accompanying, came on stage to perform Ding Dong Merrilly on High, conducted by Bandmaster Joseph Akpan.
Her Excellency, Mrs Uloma Ekaette Akpabio, the Governor's wife presented Certificates of Participation to all participating groups. In his remarks, the Governor said the Festival was so great that he felt like keeping it going through the whole night. He appreciated the participating musical groups and specially commended the AKWB and Timbrel for putting up an extraordinary performance. The Festival was brought to a conclusion with the Band's presentation of Silent Night.
On special invitation by Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang, the Director of Protocol to the State Government, B/M Joseph Akpan served on the festival's planning committee and was commissioned to coordinate all the invited music groups and direct all musical performances at the festival.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
AKWB AT GOVERNOR'S BROTHER'S WEDDING OCCASION
With so much glee and assurance of a beautiful future together, Eno Umoadiaemu of Mbiaso Village (Ikot Ekpene Local Government of Akwa Ibom State) exchanged marital vows with Nsentip Akpabio of Ukana Ikot Ntuen (Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State) at an impressive ceremony which witnessed a select gathering of top dignitaries and government functionaries.
The solemnization of Holy Matrimony took place at Groves Memorial Cathedral Methodist Church, Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday 24th November, 2007. The mood of the congregation was in consonance with the celebration therein. Punctuated by prayers, hymns and thanksgiving, the joy resplendent in the congregation was contagious. In his sermon, the Methodist priest enjoined the couple to love each other unconditionally and advised them to uphold the sanctity of marriage and not allow a third party wade into their affairs.
The Akwa Ibom West Divisional Band - AKWB (B/M Joseph M. Akpan) was the guest Band at the wedding occasion. To an appreciative crowd, the band played 3 pieces - Trumpet Tune (Purcell, arr. Ray S. Allen) with trumpet soloist Edidiong Williams, Crown Him With Many Crowns (Charles Skinner), and Joy In the Air (Joseph M. Akpan).
The groom, Mr Nsentip Akpabio is a songster and the Young People's Sergeant Major (YPSM) of The Salvation Army, and Governor Godswill Akpabio's younger brother.
With so much glee and assurance of a beautiful future together, Eno Umoadiaemu of Mbiaso Village (Ikot Ekpene Local Government of Akwa Ibom State) exchanged marital vows with Nsentip Akpabio of Ukana Ikot Ntuen (Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State) at an impressive ceremony which witnessed a select gathering of top dignitaries and government functionaries.
The solemnization of Holy Matrimony took place at Groves Memorial Cathedral Methodist Church, Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday 24th November, 2007. The mood of the congregation was in consonance with the celebration therein. Punctuated by prayers, hymns and thanksgiving, the joy resplendent in the congregation was contagious. In his sermon, the Methodist priest enjoined the couple to love each other unconditionally and advised them to uphold the sanctity of marriage and not allow a third party wade into their affairs.
The Akwa Ibom West Divisional Band - AKWB (B/M Joseph M. Akpan) was the guest Band at the wedding occasion. To an appreciative crowd, the band played 3 pieces - Trumpet Tune (Purcell, arr. Ray S. Allen) with trumpet soloist Edidiong Williams, Crown Him With Many Crowns (Charles Skinner), and Joy In the Air (Joseph M. Akpan).
The groom, Mr Nsentip Akpabio is a songster and the Young People's Sergeant Major (YPSM) of The Salvation Army, and Governor Godswill Akpabio's younger brother.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
The General's Christmas Message 2007
Christmas Memories
- Shaw Clifton, General of The Salvation Army
CHRISTMAS is a time for memories.
Thoughts of Christmases past
take me to my childhood. It was in Glasgow, aged nine, that I first played a brass instrument in a Salvation Army young people’s band. December meant evening carolling in the streets. Out we would go, in our Army caps, wrapped up warmly against those icy chills and the snow that seemed then to come every year. There was the prospect of hot drinks and delicious snacks at the end of the night, our fingers thawing out painfully once inside again.
take me to my childhood. It was in Glasgow, aged nine, that I first played a brass instrument in a Salvation Army young people’s band. December meant evening carolling in the streets. Out we would go, in our Army caps, wrapped up warmly against those icy chills and the snow that seemed then to come every year. There was the prospect of hot drinks and delicious snacks at the end of the night, our fingers thawing out painfully once inside again.We would make our cheery sounds and folk would gather at their doors to listen. Coins rattled into the collecting boxes and shouts of ‘Happy Christmas!’, ‘Merry Christmas!’ would echo through the streets and the Glasgow tenement buildings.
The music told of a Saviour. It spoke of hope, forgiveness, reconciliation, goodwill, Heaven. I liked it.
We would get very, very cold. Naturally, I had heard the stories of brass instrument valves freezing up but had hardly believed them – until it happened to me! Walking between street lamps in sub-zero temperatures to peer at our music in the yellow glow did valves no good at all.
But it was worth it. We were in it together. We felt somehow ennobled to be uncomfortable and aching in order to make our musical witness. We were intrepid players, ready to dare the elements. Softies? Never! Fair-weather players? Not us! Frozen valves and frozen fingers were endured almost as a rite of passage. We could tell our stories and be admired, or so we thought, for our hardiness. Of course, the prospect of those piping-hot drinks and mince pies later on helped things along.
Since those halcyon days I’ve been spared to see many a Christmas. I’ve lived on five continents and know now what Christmas is like even in the southern hemisphere, often with clammy, hot weather – a far cry from Glasgow’s frozen nights.
One thing has remained constant. Whether it is Scotland’s chilling blasts or New Zealand’s or Zimbabwe’s burning summers, I have wanted to say a glad and grateful ‘Yes!’ to God’s gift of Jesus, to his offer of a Saviour for my sin, and to his legitimate, persistent, loving call upon me to follow in Christ’s footsteps day by day.
Are you also following?
A happy and blessed Christmas and New Year to you all.
- Shaw Clifton, General of The Salvation Army
Thursday, November 15, 2007
WHEN WE LOVE
by Joseph M. Akpan
When I think of how God the Father loved
Us, That He gave His Son for us,
And I think of how Christ Jesus
So loved us that He gave His life for us;
Then I know there's nothing greater
Than to love God with all of our hearts,
And to love each other with the God-kind of love,
The kind of love that moulds and builds.
Nothing! We are nothing
When the Christ-love is out of our lives.
See an Army without power
When this love of God is sour,
See an Army that may fall out of the fight!
But in Christ Jesus, we are more than conquerors
When we stand as one, united in the fight
When we love each other with the Saviour's love,
And seek to glorify our God.
We are not of God, so the Bible says,
Without the Love of God in us.
We are just like clanging cymbals
Making a noise that seems to make no sense.
If we claim to be God's people,
We will love in the way Jesus loved;
We will seek in all our lives to do the Will of God,
Not compromising with the world.
Though our Army Band be praised by all,
And though we sing like angels sing;
Though men spread their clothes on highways
So that our officers may pass as kings;
Though our uniforms attract men,
With the ranks, all the badges that we wear;
We are nothing if we do not have the Love of God
That seeks to save the soul in sin.
copyright 2006. Joseph Akpan
by Joseph M. Akpan
When I think of how God the Father loved
Us, That He gave His Son for us,
And I think of how Christ Jesus
So loved us that He gave His life for us;
Then I know there's nothing greater
Than to love God with all of our hearts,
And to love each other with the God-kind of love,
The kind of love that moulds and builds.
Nothing! We are nothing
When the Christ-love is out of our lives.
See an Army without power
When this love of God is sour,
See an Army that may fall out of the fight!
But in Christ Jesus, we are more than conquerors
When we stand as one, united in the fight
When we love each other with the Saviour's love,
And seek to glorify our God.
We are not of God, so the Bible says,
Without the Love of God in us.
We are just like clanging cymbals
Making a noise that seems to make no sense.
If we claim to be God's people,
We will love in the way Jesus loved;
We will seek in all our lives to do the Will of God,
Not compromising with the world.
Though our Army Band be praised by all,
And though we sing like angels sing;
Though men spread their clothes on highways
So that our officers may pass as kings;
Though our uniforms attract men,
With the ranks, all the badges that we wear;
We are nothing if we do not have the Love of God
That seeks to save the soul in sin.
copyright 2006. Joseph Akpan
Thursday, November 8, 2007
PHOTOS
The Cornet Section: Akwa Ibom West Band
(AKWB)
The Div. Young People's Singing Company
B/M Joseph Akpan conducting the AKWB
March 2007 Concert. B/M Akpan directs the
massed songsters/choristers' rendition
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
HOW SWEET THE SOUND! - A Musical Celebration in Uyo, Nigeria
Over 6,000 people gathered at the Akwa Ibom State Hall on the evening of Sunday 18th March 2007 to watch a concert performed by the musical forces of The Salvation Army, Akwa Ibom West Division. 3 Guest Choirs namely Qua Iboe Church House of Praise Choir - Etinan, The Sanctified Mt Zion Church Cathedral Choir - Uyo, and the St. Stephen's African Church Cathedral Choir - Uyo were featured in the Concert.
The 2-hour evening celebration opened with the congregation singing "How Great Thou Art" led by CSM Ekom Udoh and accompanied by the Band, the Swedish melody." Captain Udo Uwak, Divisional Commander for Akwa Ibom South West Division said the opening prayer. Following words of welcome from the Akwa Ibom West Divisional Music Director and chief organizer of the concert, Bandmaster Joseph Akpan, the Band played Trumpet Tune (Purcell, arr. Ray Steadman Allen) with trumpet soloist Macaulay Udo, and the March - The Triumphant Band ( H. Scotney), and Selection - Victory! Victory! (F.J. Dockerill). The next item - Crown Him With Many Crowns (George J. Elvey arr. Charles Skinner, Words by Matthew Bridges & Godfrey Thring) accompanied by the Band, featured about 700 singers - the Songsters and all 3 Guest Choirs conducted by S/L David Nathaniel, former Territorial Music Secretary. Following a Scripture reading of Psalm 150 by Captain Esther Uwak, Akwa Ibom South West Division's Director of Women's Ministries, the Songsters sang This is the day that the Lord hath made (music by Lilian Mullins, words by Fred Grant) and He Came to Give Us Life (music by John Larsson, words by John Gowans). Accompanied by the Band, Asuquo Archibong stirred the congregation with a cornet solo of the Spiritual - Michael, Row the Boat Ashore (James Anderson). The Band also played Charles Skinner's Hymn Tune Arrangement - Penlan, and Joseph Akpan's March - Utomobong, translated ''God's Service". The Young People's Singing Company's song, The Boundless Love of God (Joseph Akpan) was followed by a sparkling display to Ivor Bosanko's music - In the Strength of the Lord, from the senior Timbrels Group led by Helen Sunday. The next items featured the Qua Iboe Church House of Praise Choir and the Sanctified Mt Zion Church Cathedral Choir in the songs The Church's One Foundation and Lift Up Your Heads (Anon) respectively. Another sparkling display to Joy Webb's music - Made In the Likeness of God, came from the Junior Timbrels Group led by Nkpoikana Essang . The Cathedral Choir of the St. Stephen's African Church Cathedral sang the classical chorus, Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain (G.F. Handel). Next, the Songsters and the Singing Company, accompanied by the Band, came together to sing Dare to be a Daniel (music by William L. Rollins, words by Philip P. Bliss). As the Singing Company walked down the stage, all 3 guest Choirs came on stage to join the Songsters in Hail the King of Kings (Joseph Akpan). The Band received a standing ovation and prolonged applause as they played the final music for the night, the Selection - Melodies from Great Composers (Ray Steadman Allen). Major Smart Umoh, the host Divisional Commander gave the benediction. Hon.(Dr) Mabel Udongwo, the Deputy Majority Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Dr. Christopher Enoch - Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Medical Association; Hon.Justice John U. Bassey, former High Court Judge in the State and Chairman of the Akwa Ibom/Cross River States Salvation Army Development Council; Engr. Etop Okoko, Exxon Mobil; Hon. Victor Udofia, former Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area; and Mr. Usoro, Head of Estates - Akwa Ibom Property and Investments Company, were among the audience. According to one of the attendees, Mrs Etang Ibiok, Home League Scretary of Itiam Corps, '' I lack words to describe the concert... If it could be this sweet here below, then I wonder how great it would be when we all get to heaven.''
The Concert was preceeded by an exciting 4-day music camp for all songsters, bands and timbrels in the Division. 530 students participated. Praise God for His gift of music !
The 2-hour evening celebration opened with the congregation singing "How Great Thou Art" led by CSM Ekom Udoh and accompanied by the Band, the Swedish melody." Captain Udo Uwak, Divisional Commander for Akwa Ibom South West Division said the opening prayer. Following words of welcome from the Akwa Ibom West Divisional Music Director and chief organizer of the concert, Bandmaster Joseph Akpan, the Band played Trumpet Tune (Purcell, arr. Ray Steadman Allen) with trumpet soloist Macaulay Udo, and the March - The Triumphant Band ( H. Scotney), and Selection - Victory! Victory! (F.J. Dockerill). The next item - Crown Him With Many Crowns (George J. Elvey arr. Charles Skinner, Words by Matthew Bridges & Godfrey Thring) accompanied by the Band, featured about 700 singers - the Songsters and all 3 Guest Choirs conducted by S/L David Nathaniel, former Territorial Music Secretary. Following a Scripture reading of Psalm 150 by Captain Esther Uwak, Akwa Ibom South West Division's Director of Women's Ministries, the Songsters sang This is the day that the Lord hath made (music by Lilian Mullins, words by Fred Grant) and He Came to Give Us Life (music by John Larsson, words by John Gowans). Accompanied by the Band, Asuquo Archibong stirred the congregation with a cornet solo of the Spiritual - Michael, Row the Boat Ashore (James Anderson). The Band also played Charles Skinner's Hymn Tune Arrangement - Penlan, and Joseph Akpan's March - Utomobong, translated ''God's Service". The Young People's Singing Company's song, The Boundless Love of God (Joseph Akpan) was followed by a sparkling display to Ivor Bosanko's music - In the Strength of the Lord, from the senior Timbrels Group led by Helen Sunday. The next items featured the Qua Iboe Church House of Praise Choir and the Sanctified Mt Zion Church Cathedral Choir in the songs The Church's One Foundation and Lift Up Your Heads (Anon) respectively. Another sparkling display to Joy Webb's music - Made In the Likeness of God, came from the Junior Timbrels Group led by Nkpoikana Essang . The Cathedral Choir of the St. Stephen's African Church Cathedral sang the classical chorus, Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain (G.F. Handel). Next, the Songsters and the Singing Company, accompanied by the Band, came together to sing Dare to be a Daniel (music by William L. Rollins, words by Philip P. Bliss). As the Singing Company walked down the stage, all 3 guest Choirs came on stage to join the Songsters in Hail the King of Kings (Joseph Akpan). The Band received a standing ovation and prolonged applause as they played the final music for the night, the Selection - Melodies from Great Composers (Ray Steadman Allen). Major Smart Umoh, the host Divisional Commander gave the benediction. Hon.(Dr) Mabel Udongwo, the Deputy Majority Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Dr. Christopher Enoch - Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Medical Association; Hon.Justice John U. Bassey, former High Court Judge in the State and Chairman of the Akwa Ibom/Cross River States Salvation Army Development Council; Engr. Etop Okoko, Exxon Mobil; Hon. Victor Udofia, former Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area; and Mr. Usoro, Head of Estates - Akwa Ibom Property and Investments Company, were among the audience. According to one of the attendees, Mrs Etang Ibiok, Home League Scretary of Itiam Corps, '' I lack words to describe the concert... If it could be this sweet here below, then I wonder how great it would be when we all get to heaven.''
The Concert was preceeded by an exciting 4-day music camp for all songsters, bands and timbrels in the Division. 530 students participated. Praise God for His gift of music !
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