AA's Symphonic Band & Handbell Tour

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The annual Andrews Academy Band and Handbells Short Tour (February 20 -23, 2020) returned to Andrews Academy on Sunday afternoon. On Friday they performed an evening concert at Highland Academy. They presented at both services on Sabbath morning at Madison Adventist church, and concluded their performances at First Nashville Hispanic Adventist Church that afternoon.

Another important component of music tours is the general education experiences available to students. For a number of them, this was their first time experiencing the Nashville and Chattanooga area. The group visited the Tennessee Aquarium on Friday morning, where students experienced an array of animals found in both fresh and salt water, butterflies, and other land animals. On Saturday evening, they enjoyed fun-oriented activities at Strikes and Spares, and open gym playing basketball with Highland Academy students.

These tours/performances provide valuable opportunities for students to employ their gifts in such a way that audiences may be drawn closer to God by means of the worshipful music they hear. In each venue, numerous people commented on the high quality of the performances, but most importantly, they shared how they had been blessed and/or inspired by the music. In addition, members of the audience remarked on how disciplined and organized students were, each one performing their duties efficiently—setting up chairs, stands, moving percussion, etc.—and how well they behaved on the platform. In the minds of these audience members, behaviors such as these speak very highly of the students' character, and also of the music program.

The group enjoyed delicious suppers hosted by Southern Adventist University (Thursday evening) and Highland Academy (Friday night), and on Sabbath, the Madison Campus church provided a wonderful potluck for the students, allowing students and church members to mingle together.

Several student leaders also presented worship thoughts throughout the tour. Worshiping together, sharing Jesus through music, and doing all of these activities together helps develop the group into a closer and more cohesive unit.

Thank you, Dr. Elsy M. Gallardo-Díaz and Mr. Marcelo Martins, for creating a tour to not only share Jesus through music, but also provide interesting general education experiences. A big thank you to Mrs. Mills, Ms. Sanford, Mr. & Mrs. McArthur, and Mr. VanDenburgh for being outstanding sponsors/drivers, and to Mr. Steeves and Mr. Bradfield for driving the bus and passenger van during this tour.

See our Facebook album for more pictures of the tour.