Music and mentoring

At The Salvation Army’s annual Amplify creative arts camp, I teach church production and big band. What I really enjoy is seeing the skills of the young people improving and developing each year—every camp the targets are set higher.

I am very much aware that when I was growing up, many people in my life were a major influence. And I want to give that back to young people—not that I consider myself old at 54! I like having a lot of fun, and it’s really cool seeing the kids at Amplify having a ball. But it’s also good to look out for those kids who are a bit quieter, and I like having a chat with them and getting to know them a bit.

I remember when I was a young person and just starting my apprenticeship, a guy turned up at work on a motorbike. As he walked towards me, peeling off his leathers, I realised that it was a guy from church. He said, ‘I was just thinking about you, and I thought I would pop in and see how you were doing in your new job.’ He went out of his way just to encourage me and make me feel valued, and that was a huge influence on me.

I am very grateful for the mentors in my life, and it makes me ask, ‘God, how can you use me?’ I got the opportunity to be the musical director for the Palmerston North Boys High School big band. Every year, at least one boy comes up to me and says, ‘I went through a really tough year, and the big band was a safe place for me.’

Faith and creativity to me is one big picture. My faith in God is an all-encompassing thing, and music is a part of that. I grew up in the Palmerston North Salvation Army Corps, and I gave my life to God when I was eight. I clearly remember my mother leading me in prayer. My grandfather played in the Salvation Army band and taught me the cornet. My main instruments are the trumpet and bass guitar.

God has given me many opportunities through music. I got into big band after touring with the Continental Singers, who had a strings and brass section. I was asked to replace their bass guitarist when they were touring New Zealand and Australia. I had to learn the whole set on the bus on the way to the concert!

I got married at the age of only 19, and we have three boys. I remember my grandmother saying to me, ‘If you’re sure, why wait?’  I worked as a fitter and turner, and then in engineering for 15 years. But I became interested in sound production after seeing how important it is to do this well in churches. I changed career and became self-employed, working in sound and audio.

I have never walked away from God, but there have been some rough patches—especially when I lost both Mum and Dad at an early age. God has never left me and I have never left him, but I have questioned him lots and lots. I always come back to the fact that God accepts me as I am, and he has a plan for me. I believe God heard my prayer when I was eight, and he has honoured that throughout my life.

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by Neville Lauridsen(c) 'War Cry' magazine, 7 February 2015, pp9.
You can read 'War Cry' at your nearest Salvation Army church or centre, or subscribe through Salvationist Resources.