Cedarville Magazine, Spring/Summer 2016

Tech Changes Will Enhance Chapel Ministry Behind every pastor, speaker, musician, and worship leader in chapel is a technical crew that ensures the Gospel message can be seen, heard, and clearly understood. In the following Q-and-A, Brandon Waltz ’87, Director of Production Services Group, explains some of the technical changes coming to Cedarville’s chapel and how they will enhance its ministry opportunities. Q: From a technical standpoint, what will you be able to do with sound and lighting in chapel that you’ve not been able to do before? A: The way we do programming and production today is so different from how it was conceived when the chapel was built in 1995. We’ve been working with technology that was original to the room, and we’ve been able to work around some of the constraints for some time. But the renovation will give us a lot more flexibility and functionality to do exactly what we envision to create a specific environment in the room, whether for chapel, concerts, or special events. With a darker color scheme, we’ll be able to keep light from reflecting off the walls. We’ll have better control to reduce distractions and focus the audience’s attention to what is happening on the platform. Depending on where you sit in the chapel, there are spots where the sound seems louder and spots where it’s harder to hear. We will have a new public address (PA) system with new speakers and custom-designed acoustic panels. We’ve hired a company to do an acoustic study to ensure that the sound quality is balanced, no matter where you are in the room. Q: What about video? A: Video is what started this discussion — how to do it better in the room. There were previously two student videographers standing on platforms midway down the chapel floor. Anyone seated behind them had an impeded view of what was happening on the platform. We’ll be building camera pits at the back of the roomwhere students will have a safer, more stable place to do their work. The new equipment will also allow us to do more live streaming of events. Q: How many students are part of your chapel production team? A: We have a crew of about 25 students who regularly assist in production work. Throughout the year, we involve as many as 65 students to help with video, sound, and lighting for chapel and event productions. Students have a significant role in shaping the daily worship experience in chapel. This renovation will provide a lot more tools and opportunities to create some special worship experiences. I look forward to seeing what students are able to produce creatively. Q: We talk about chapel as the “heartbeat” of the student experience. What do you see as the “heartbeat” of this renovation? A: Enhancing the experience around the spoken word. We want to create an environment where the Gospel is clearly articulated so people can hear it, understand it, and respond to it. It’s not all about the audio, lighting, and video. These are merely tools, a means to an end. The end is the ability to serve well and use the tools and gifts we have to glorify God. We have a vision that our graduates will take their talent and technical experience into local churches and beyond so that others will be blessed by both their skills and their heart for Gospel-driven ministry. And our grads can say, “I learned this by serving in chapel production at Cedarville.” Carol Lee ’96 is a freelance writer and editor and the Publication Manager at Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Cedarville Magazine | 39 Advancing Cedarville