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As the last notes of the final number echoed through St. Paul's Cathedral last month, I raced up the circular stairs to the base of the cupola. I wanted to capture the sound and sight of the Greenville College Choir concert indelibly on my memory and on video. As the encore was sung, my heart and spirit were lifted as I feasted on the magnificence of the music and the view. Those who had imagined and labored with patient discipline to build that magnificent church did so to the glory of God. But no less creative and no less disciplined were the Greenville College students who had prepared for so long and with such effort and skill to worship our Lord on this occasion. It was a stretch for this 50-year old to hear it from above, but well worth the effort.
Over the following few days I heard our choir sing again in Oxford at
the University Church, heart and soul of the oldest English speaking
institution of higher education in the world. I was struck by the
triple connection to our Greenville mission. Cardinal Newman, perhaps
history's most eloquent defender of liberal arts, captivated audiences
preaching in this church in the early 19th century. How fitting it was
that our students should sing here. John Wesley also preached there and
lived only yards away while founding our Methodist movement. He was
passionate about both of the key distinctive elements of our mission.
He was a man of deep personal character rooted in an inner life of
personal piety and holiness. But he was also a man who served others by
profoundly and pervasively transforming the entire culture of 18th
century England. Again how fitting it was that our students should sing
in that place. But finally, on another pillar in that place, a platform
marked the spot where Bishop Cranmer was accused of heresy on March 21,
1556, and when he refused to submit, was led outside to be burned for
his stand. I couldn't help wonder if I or any our students that day
fully understood what it means to truly be educated for character and
service after the fashion of these who have gone before.
But I am convinced that for over 110 years, music at Greenville College
has played a substantial role in our commitment to education for
character and service. Sitting yesterday in the mountains of California
with a 92-year old alumna of the choir and music program, I heard her
tell how GC had transformed her from an Alaskan born primitive to the
author, businesswoman, world-traveler, and mother she became. And the
stories she shared of her own life and those of her children made it
plain that she and her children had learned to live with integrity and
serve with sacrifice.
Music is part of the warp and woof of Greenville College. Whether you
focus attention on our wonderful choir, chronicled in the newly
published history, or on the accomplishments of our students in
Contemporary Christian music, GC is infused with music. Last May we
celebrated the impact our music students have had honoring the Jars of
Clay with honorary degrees. But within weeks, yet another of our
groups, For All the Drifters, captured the same prestigious Gospel
Music Association awards in Colorado proving that good CCM is not an
accident at Greenville. National recognition has brought students from
all over the country as major figures in the business have singled out
Greenville as "THE place to study CCM." Majors have jumped over 50
students to more than 170 in the past two years. With three outstanding
new faculty members joining those already here, the department is
bursting at the seams. New space for practice rooms and keyboard
laboratory have been carved out, new space has been reallocated to the
laboratory bands for rehearsal. Additional funds have been budgeted for
next year to replace a number of part-time faculty with a new full-time
position. And of course a cornerstone piece of the upcoming
comprehensive campaign is our passion to acquire the Free Methodist
church as a new home for the growing department.
George Barna told me this week that music is among the top FIVE factors
shaping perspectives in culture today. I am grateful to God that music
at Greenville College has for over a century shaped our thinking in the
image of Christ.
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