Winners named in talent quest

A territory-wide talent quest, ‘Sallies Gotta Lotta Talent’ has wrapped up, with semi-finalists set to perform at the ‘One Army, One Mission, One Message Congress’ in September. The Sallies Gotta Lotta Talent tour was a wonderful experience, not only for the 99 acts that competed, but also for the judges and the Creative Ministries Department technical support team.

Sallies Gotta Lotta Talent has given people the opportunity to express themselves through the arts in many ways. It has also sent a clear message that The Salvation Army wants to encourage people to use their talents—whatever they may be—believing that God will use those talents to reach the lost and to bring praise to him.

The tour started in Dunedin on Friday 7 June, then headed to Timaru and Christchurch on Saturday 8 June. After Christchurch, part of the team flew to Nadi and Suva in Fiji, where they saw some great items. Then, from Saturday 15 June, we were off to Auckland; through to Hamilton on the Monday; and then Tuesday night we were in Palmerston North. The tour’s last leg was Friday 28 June in Wellington and finally Blenheim on Saturday 29 June.

Four judges—’Ana Coffey, Dave Treeby, Jim Downey and Neville Lauridsen—had the difficult job of selecting two semi-finalists from each division. Each judge brought strong credentials and lots of passion to their tasks. ’Ana has her own dance studio and is also a Porirua City councillor. Dave runs his own event management company, is a musician and has considerable experience heading up events like Capital Teen Convention in Wellington. Jim is Territorial Creative Ministries Director for The Salvation Army, a keen brass musician and attends Wellington City Corps. Neville is an accomplished musician, a sound and lighting producer and a big band leader who attends Palmerston North Corps.

The Creative Ministries Department sent an excellent technical team in the form of Chris Cope, Andrew Strugnell and Matt Bateman. As well as providing practical support so that the auditions ran smoothly, the team filmed the auditions and prepared highlight reels for www.youtube.com/salvationarmynzft.

The judges were exposed to some of The Salvation Army’s top talent from across New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. Entries ranged from dance to storytelling, singing and instrumental to drama. One of the entry conditions was that contestants had to be attending a Salvation Army corps. Each entry was critiqued in five categories, with judging comments recorded and plenty of verbal encouragement given after each performance.

It was so good to meet all the people that took part, and encouraging to see such a good level of performance. As we toured, many older people shared memories of taking part in Salvation Army talent nights when they were younger, and said how good it was to see this happening again.

Original songs were performed in many places. It can be scary to step up and perform your own song, exposing, in some cases, deep thoughts and feeling. The judges found it a real privilege to be on the receiving end of those original songs.

Everyone who took part in Sallies Gotta Lotta Talent made a valued contribution to a wonderful extravaganza of talent. But only 12 acts could make it through to perform in the semi-finals at Congress on Saturday afternoon, 21 September. The semi-finalists are:

Beth Anderson (Sydenham); Logan Anderson (Wanganui); Vatia Autagavaia (Glenfield); Adelaide Foster-Reyburn (Hamilton City); Ariel and Nathan Lauridsen (Palmerston North); Aux-Captain Lol Raven (Tokoroa); Olivia Sheat (Wellington City); The Psalmists (Waitakere Central Corps); Casey Tearle (Mt Albert); Jonty Zyndenbos (Blenheim); Cadet Toa Ulamoleka (Tonga); Graham Toganivalu (Suva Central).

Fresh judges will select three of these talented acts to perform in the Saturday evening ‘One Mission’ programme, before the overall winner is announced later that night.

Some great prizes are up for grabs and there’s sure to be strong competition. So, come along and encourage all our performers —especially those that come from your part of the country.

Music and the arts in The Salvation Army have broadened greatly over a number of years, and will no doubt continue to evolve in the future. There’s something deeply personal and moving about people presenting what God has laid on their hearts. Performing is a stimulating but also risky endeavour, and we must welcome new talent with open arms if we’re to continue using the arts to spread the Christian message. The Bible tells us to ‘sing a new song to the Lord’. That ‘new song’ can be ‘sung’ through any art form. God has made us creative, and I’m sure God gets huge pleasure in seeing the amazing talent that is used to glorify his name!

Where to from here? Some corps were unaware of the great talents possessed by some of those they worship alongside every week. How exciting it would be to see those who auditioned contributing to worship and outreach activities regularly at their corps! The Sallies Gotta Lotta Talent tour has not only encouraged people to give performing a go, but we expect it to give a further boost to the Amplify Territorial Creative Arts Camp. These annual camps have already broadened our horizons in a big way.

Let’s not use our talents just because we can, or just as they are. Let’s hone them and use them to the glory of God, so that through them a light will shine that helps people to understand God’s love and accept his gift of salvation. In Psalm 40:3, the psalmist writes, ‘He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.’

* Check out www.facebook.com/SalliesGottaLottaTalent to view the semi-finalists and highlights of the regional auditions.   Along with a performing arts competition, Sallies Gotta Lotta Talent includes an ‘Art Space’ competition for artists, filmmakers and photographers.  For more information or to register, go to www.salvationarmy.org.nz/one