The Lee Symphonic Band performs in the Philippines
This summer, the Lee Symphonic Band traveled to the nation of the Philippines where they were hosted by Samaritan’s Place, a ministry of the Church of God.
Samaritan’s Place, founded by Marc and Maria Elena Morris, cares for orphan and abandoned children. Mr. Morris is a native of Cleveland, and he and his wife have spent the last 30 years in the Philippines helping those in search of a home and family.
“The everyday visual, auditory, and relational experiences are a major blessing for these children’s eventual placement in homes throughout America and other parts of the world,” said Mr. Morris. “This is a major reason we like teams visiting and staying at Samaritan’s Place. The band had a powerful impact on the Filipino people, the Church of God in the Philippines, and the children of Samaritan’s Place.”
The Symphonic Band was hosted by the Morrises and stayed at Samaritan’s Place for nine of the 11 days they were in the Philippines. While there, the band led children in worship, delivered dramatic Bible lessons, presented an instrumental show and tell, and hosted a band camp. During these activities, the students were able to perform on instruments, receive hands-on instruction in music, and experience instrumental music up close.
The band also visited multiple churches during its time in the Philippines, and there were over 1,500 personal faith responses in those services. Additionally, the band performed at a special Mother’s Day Emphasis Concert with over 400 in attendance, a flag raising ceremony and concert for the local city officials, and several other concerts throughout the country. As a result of these concerts, a professional drum kit was donated to Samaritan’s Place so music instruction can be provided for the children there.
“As an elementary education major, I was really excited about getting to go on this trip and love on children,” said Raychel Moore, the student president of the band. “Music is so important to start at a young age, and getting to see them learn about many different instruments, some of which they had never even seen before, was awesome. Their love for God was obvious through their genuine worship, and it was incredible to collaborate in worship with another culture.”
The Lee University Symphonic Band, directed by music professor Dr. Mark Bailey, has performed at churches across the country and at conferences such as the Christian Instrumentalists and Directors Association National Conference and the Atlanta Instrumental Expo Conference, the largest instrumental church music conference in America. It has also performed at numerous music festivals, appeared on television and radio, headlined important university events, and toured 14 foreign nations around the world.
The Lee Symphonic Band gathered with Marc and Maria Elena Morris and children from Samaritan’s Place