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Boyce chorale, worship band gear up for fall worship concert, Nov. 16
November 06, 2006
By Ashley Andrews
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The Boyce chorale performing its spring concert in Boyce Chapel in April. The current chorale includes 35 students and will perform its fall concert along with the Boyce worship band, Nov. 16, in Boyce Chapel. Photo by John Gill
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Music is an integral part of life for the Christian community in general and the students of Boyce College in particular.
At dorm meetings, Boyce students sing anthems proclaiming the victory found in Jesus, walking to class they sing testimonies of God's glory and grace and through open dormitory windows they tell of His love.
In addition to these impromptu opportunities to sing, Boyce offers several organized musical ensembles. Greg Brewton, coordinator for music studies at Boyce, said the goal of the school's music program is to prepare students for local church ministry.
"Our goal is to prepare students who have hearts for ministry in the local church and who are gifted in music as well," he said.
"We want them to perform as well as any other college, but we also want to make sure that they are prepared for ministry."
Boyce offers three ensembles, two of which are open to all students. The first ensemble is the Boyce chorale, which is led by Nathan Platt, assistant professor of worship and music ministry at Boyce. Chorale, which is currently comprised of 35 students, meets three days a week for an hour each day.
Chorale member Ben Stritesky said he is involved in the group for many reasons.
"I love to sing, it's not a large time commitment and it's nice that you get a free hour of credit," he said.
Soprano Ginny Lou Henley said the fellowship among chorale members makes chorale time well spent.
"I really enjoy the director and the people I'm singing with," she said. "There's a bond among us."
Brewton leads the second ensemble, which is the Boyce worship band. Eight students currently participate in the group, which Brewton described as a band you would use for a contemporary worship service. Students participating in either ensemble receive one hour of credit, with no cost to them.
The chorale and worship band will perform a free concert for students at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16 in Boyce Chapel. During the concert, the groups will invite the audience to join them in singing some of the worship songs.
Brewton said the songs would include a variety of hymns, including some contemporary hymn arrangements and traditional anthems. Brewton characterized the whole evening as a worship service.
In addition to these two open ensembles, Boyce features an auditioned group called Aletheia, which is Greek for truth. This group currently has seven members who travel three weekends a month singing in local churches. Auditions are held once a year, and while participants do not receive class credit, they do earn a scholarship.
Brewton also invited all students to attend the Boyce student recital at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 8 in Broadus Chapel. All music students are required to participate by performing one piece in their applied area of study, whether voice, piano, guitar or percussion.
Platt will offer a class in the spring semester for students with non-music majors who are interested in learning how to lead worship. This course, MU111, is a three credit hour elective class that will cover basic music reading, developing a healthy vocal technique and understanding how to plan and lead worship.
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