The 2016-‘17 academic year was a big one for The Grove Collective as its four bands, including two traveling groups, led worship in 40 campus chapels, six University sponsored events and partnered with many churches throughout Oregon, including The First Baptist Church of Eugene, Valley Christian Church of Wilsonville, The Onyx House of Eugene Faith Center, Riviera Baptist Church of Eugene, Northwood Christian Church of Springfield, The Eugene Chinese Christian Church, Camp Creek Church of Springfield, Lighthouse Christian Church of Warrenton, Westside Faith Center of Eugene, and City Salt Church of Eugene.
Students perform Spring Desserts: A Moses Story
The Grove Collective’s student bandleaders are continuing to do great things after graduating in May. Nathan Sutherland has accepted a full-time position at Capital City Church in Columbus, Ohio, while Delaney McMahon has been hired by Twin Oaks Church in Eugene and is currently pursuing a Master of Worship Studies at The Robert Webber Institute.
Three other graduates also found amazing opportunities to serve: Chelsea King was hired at Fairfield Baptist Church in Eugene, Katelyn Keeth is working for NCU, and Delia House-Lopez returned to Nashville after her Best Semester program to work for a production company.
Overall, the music department graduated six seniors with music degrees this year and an additional three with music minors.
Under the instruction of Addison Wong, M.M., professor of music, NCU’s Instrumental Ensemble flourished this school year playing at basketball games as the University pep band while preparing for its spring concert, “Night of Jazz,” which attracted a big crowd and featured our newest ensemble; the Chamber Singers!
Chamber Singers will continue to offer NCU’s incoming freshman music majors and minors a secondary ensemble to challenge them academically and vocally while they perform a wide variety of genres. Both ensembles will travel and represent the University in the upcoming year.
The University Choir and Orchestra again had 65 students perform this year, with 10 instrumentalists. Some of UCO’s highlights included a successful move to performing in the Morse Event Center, performing at the inaugural Homecoming Weekend Fall Concert, leading worship at One Hope’s Thanksgiving Service and Harrisburg Community’s Thanksgiving Service, and putting on an original production for Spring Desserts: A Moses Story this past April.
“We would like to thank the campus and community for their support,” said Karen DeYoung, M.A., assistant professor of music. “We invite all to pray with us as we move forward teaching more students than ever to produce quality worship and performance experiences in church, and provide a biblical and theological foundation for understanding and celebrating Christian worship.”