Family through Worship: United Voices of Praise
Andrew Exner
Issue date: 12/10/09 Section: Entertainment
Oakes emphasized the familial closeness of the group that developed during last year's tour. "It's amazing to see how much everyone's grown and come together…to praise God," says Oakes.
UVP is almost entirely student led. Dwight Thomas and Ernie Tilman are the faculty advisors, but the Council takes care of most of the administrative and musical issues in the group, from booking engagements, to selecting and teaching music in rehearsals. While this presents challenges, the peer leadership encourages the family atmosphere.
For Cimone Phillips, a senior who has been involved since her sophomore year, UVP "defines the meaning of community within an ensemble on campus." Phillips is a part of the band and involved in the Council. "We're not just here for the ensemble--we're here for our spiritual growth as well."
People who attend UVP's engagements tend to give very positive feedback. "I've not been that moved by worship in years," Phillips recalls a parent said at the end of the year Concert of Praise last spring.
Students are big fans, too. Jonathan Edwards, a senior graduating this December, has asked UVP to sing at his wedding this coming January. After hearing UVP sing in chapel, he says that he and his fiancée "decided that's the kind of music we wanted for our wedding." They will have the bridal procession sung instead of played on instruments and have a time of worship at the wedding as well.
Calvin Tucker, a member of the choir who will be graduating this December, says that the group is always welcome for people to audition. "Just show up on a Monday rehearsal," he says, "and we'll get you an audition with a group later."
UVP's Christmas Worship Concert will be held Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 pm in Hostetter Chapel. They will be doing a mix of contemporary Christian songs, favorite hymns, and special songs like Mary Mary's "Shackles."
UVP is almost entirely student led. Dwight Thomas and Ernie Tilman are the faculty advisors, but the Council takes care of most of the administrative and musical issues in the group, from booking engagements, to selecting and teaching music in rehearsals. While this presents challenges, the peer leadership encourages the family atmosphere.
For Cimone Phillips, a senior who has been involved since her sophomore year, UVP "defines the meaning of community within an ensemble on campus." Phillips is a part of the band and involved in the Council. "We're not just here for the ensemble--we're here for our spiritual growth as well."
People who attend UVP's engagements tend to give very positive feedback. "I've not been that moved by worship in years," Phillips recalls a parent said at the end of the year Concert of Praise last spring.
Students are big fans, too. Jonathan Edwards, a senior graduating this December, has asked UVP to sing at his wedding this coming January. After hearing UVP sing in chapel, he says that he and his fiancée "decided that's the kind of music we wanted for our wedding." They will have the bridal procession sung instead of played on instruments and have a time of worship at the wedding as well.
Calvin Tucker, a member of the choir who will be graduating this December, says that the group is always welcome for people to audition. "Just show up on a Monday rehearsal," he says, "and we'll get you an audition with a group later."
UVP's Christmas Worship Concert will be held Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 pm in Hostetter Chapel. They will be doing a mix of contemporary Christian songs, favorite hymns, and special songs like Mary Mary's "Shackles."
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