SUMMER 2024 Volume 12 Issue 2 02 SOLI DEO GLORIA 04 MYSTERIOUS WAYS 08 MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE 16 ECHOES OF EXCELLENCE 20 A HEART OF WORSHIP: AN INTERVIEW WITH JIM CATO 26 EQUIPPING THE CHURCH TO WORSHIP SOLI DEO GLORIA
The psalmist instructs us to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Ps. 98:4), and at Cedarville, we do this regularly, praising King Jesus with loud, strong voices and instruments. But nowhere is this displayed more than in the Department of Music and Worship and in the hearts of the HeartSong worship teams. As you walk the halls of the Dixon Ministry Center, you’ll find programs where faith meets artistry, where dedication meets inspiration, and where every note played and every anthem sung are offered up to the Almighty. At the heart of our music and worship department is the profound and timeless motto, “Soli Deo Gloria" — To God Alone Be the Glory. This principle is not merely a tagline; it is the very heart of our mission. It encapsulates our commitment to ensuring that every aspect of our musical and worship endeavors glorifies God and God alone. This dedication sets us apart, guiding our faculty and students alike in a pursuit that transcends mere performance to become a form of worship. In a world where the arts, including music, can often be directed toward selfglorification or mere entertainment, Cedarville is unashamedly different. We root our teaching and performances in the words of Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." As you delve into the pages of this magazine, you will encounter stories of inspiration, dedication, and transformation. You’ll read about our philosophy for music and worship and how we equip the local church. You’ll get an inside look into the Department of Music and Worship and meet a man who has exemplified a heart of worship and trained worship leaders at Cedarville for more than 40 years. You will also meet alumni who are using their gifts to honor King Jesus with their work, some boldly on stage and others quietly behind the scenes. And you will meet some of the exceptional faculty members who are doing great things for the Kingdom and be introduced to the musical ensembles that are representing Cedarville and our Savior so well. Above all, I hope you get a glimpse of how “Soli Deo Gloria" is more than a motto — it is a deeply held belief that guides everything we do. May you be inspired by the work God is doing in and through our Department of Music and Worship and HeartSong Ministries. And may all we do be for His glory alone. In Christ, Thomas White President cedarville.edu/president @DrThomasWhite facebook.com/DrThomasWhite instagram.com/drthomaswhite linkedin.com/in/jthomaswhite SUMMER 2024 Volume 12 Issue 2 Editor Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Managing Editor Rachel (Rathbun) Benefiel ’23 Creative Director Chad Jackson ’05 Art Director and GraphicDesigner Craig Salisbury Photographer Scott Huck Copy Editor Michele (Cummings) Solomon ’91 ADMINISTRATION President Thomas White Senior Advisor to the President Loren Reno ’70 Chief of Staff Zach Bowden Vice President for Academics Thomas Mach ’88 Vice President for Advancement Will Smallwood Vice President for Athletics Christopher Cross Vice President for Business and Chief Financial Officer Christopher Sohn Vice President for Enrollment Management Scott Van Loo ’98 Vice President for Marketing and Communications Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Vice President for Student Life and Christian Ministries Jonathan Wood OUR MISSION Cedarville University transforms lives through excellent education and intentional discipleship in submission to biblical authority. OUR VISION For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ, Cedarville Magazine is published spring, summer, and fall and mailed free of charge to alumni and supporters of Cedarville University. 1-800-CEDARVILLE • cedarville.edu Direct inquiries and address changes to: Cedarville Magazine Cedarville University 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314 cedarville.edu/magazine magazine@cedarville.edu 1-888-CEDARVILLE READ ONLINE! Visit cedarville.edu/magazineSU24 on your computer or mobile device. PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE
02 SOLI DEO GLORIA THOMAS WHITE – Cedarville's philosophy of music and worship is embodied by the phrase, “Soli Deo Gloria: To God Alone Be the Glory." God, our Creator, gave us the gift of music to engage our hearts, souls, and minds. When we perform, compose, rehearse, and learn with excellence, we offer a sacrifice of praise. 04 MYSTERIOUS WAYS BETH CRAM PORTER – As the Chair of the Department of Music and Worship, Beth Cram Porter knows the department better than anyone, and she has seen the Lord’s deep faithfulness during her 27 years at the University. In Beth's own inimitable style, she provides an inside view of the special people, places, and experiences that characterize music and worship programs at Cedarville. 08 MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE Did you know that the Department of Music and Worship had a hymn? Have you met “The Piano Man" or our in-house music historian? How many students are enrolled in a music or worship program? And when did this all get started anyway? This visual profile answers these questions and many more and unveils the profound impact of the department on our campus. 16 ECHOES OF EXCELLENCE Read what five Cedarville music and worship graduates are doing today and how Cedarville has equipped them with excellence to use their talents for God's glory. 20 A HEART OF WORSHIP: AN INTERVIEW WITH JIM CATO Jim Cato ’83, Associate Vice President of Christian Ministries, has shaped worship at Cedarville for the last 40 years. As he enters retirement this summer, he reflects on the history of Cedarville worship, the beginning and growth of HeartSong, and how Christians can pursue worshiping “in spirit and in truth.” 26 EQUIPPING THE CHURCH TO WORSHIP NICHOLAS CARRINGTON ’10 – To prepare for their calling as “lead worshipers,” worship majors at Cedarville cultivate practical skills in music performance and theory through their coursework. At the same time, they gain hands-on experience leading in local church worship and traveling ensembles. Rooted in sound theology and built on musical excellence, Cedarville’s worship program trains worshipers with a love for God and for His people. IN EVERY ISSUE FEATURES Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150 30 CHAPEL NOTES 32 ADVANCING CEDARVILLE 36 YELLOW JACKET SPORTS 40 JACKETS FOR LIFE 44 CAMPUS NEWS 48 IN CLOSING Cover photo credit: Courtney Reed Simon Yeh ’15 lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and works as a live/studio musician, producer, composer, jazz band director, and adjunct faculty member. He has performed on 10 national tours and at hundreds of festivals all across the U.S. and internationally. Read more on page 18. 1 IN THIS ISSUE
SOLI DEO GLORIA Soli Deo Gloria is a Latin phrase meaning “Glory to God alone.” Rooted in the Reformation, it flows from a dependence upon Scripture alone as our foundation for comprehending our salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for God’s glory alone. Johann Sebastian Bach notably appended the initials SDG to his manuscripts, dedicating his composition to God’s glory alone. For Cedarville University, grasping Soli Deo Gloria clarifies the rationale behind our endeavors. Our students exhibit remarkable talent, whether performing in the orchestra or leading worship on the chapel stage. However, we seek not the praise of people. We do not pursue personal glory. Rather, we rightly recognize that talents are divinely bestowed and that we are temporary stewards of the time and talents entrusted to us. Diligently honing and utilizing these talents is our reasonable act of spiritual worship (Rom. 12:2) before a worthy God. Furthermore, at Cedarville, we recognize that sound theology naturally evokes heartfelt doxology. True worship is 2
inseparable from correct theology. You cannot accurately worship a God you don’t know. Such exercises are mere emotionalism. Proper apprehension of God inevitably inspires expressions of worship, as exemplified in Romans 11:36, where Paul extols the incomprehensible greatness of God, culminating in the declaration, “To Him be glory forever.” Music, as a form of worship, uniquely engages the heart, soul, and mind. It possesses the capacity to mend the brokenhearted, invigorate the weary soul, and imprint memorable truths in our minds. God has graciously given humanity the gift of music, and at Cedarville, we seek to use this gift for His glory. We train diligently, play excellently, and with humility offer our spiritual worship to the God who alone is worthy. We believe in the power of music so deeply that we encourage our students to write and compose new music. We need another generation of song- and hymn-writers creating theologically accurate content that congregations can actually sing, leading to vertical worship of a worthy God. We model this in chapel five days a week. Chapel is the heartbeat of Cedarville University. While the Word holds the central place, music often sets the table, preparing us to receive the Word. I often find the music stirring my affections and emotions. Sometimes, the song will speak to me through well-crafted words. At other times, I am moved by observing our community engaged in worship. Be it through closed eyes, raised hands, or tearful reverence, collectively we come together to ascribe glory to God alone. Whether through musical performances or instrumental mastery, Cedarville students channel their talents toward worshiping King Jesus. This transcends mere musical proficiency; it embodies a profound devotion to using one's gifts in service to God. At Cedarville, our mission, especially within the realm of music and worship, is to align our God-given talents with our Godgiven passions, pursue excellence in training, and employ these gifts as a platform for glorifying God. We give praise, expressing the sentiment of Paul in 1 Timothy 1:17: “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.” In all our endeavors, our motivation remains Soli Deo Gloria — for God's glory alone. Thomas White is President of Cedarville University. He earned his PhD in systematic theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. God has graciously given humanity the gift of music, and at Cedarville, we seek to use this gift for His glory. BY THOMAS WHITE 3
MYSTERIOUS INSIDE CEDARVILLE’S DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC AND WORSHIP Home. A powerful word. When people find out I was born and raised in Texas, the first question they often ask is, “How did you get to Cedarville?” My answer is always the same: “The breath of God blew me here!” This is really quite true. I was as happy as Adam’s house cat living in North Carolina when God began working His hidden plan for me. In 1996, I found myself interviewing for an open voice faculty position at Cedarville University. I didn’t know exactly where Ohio was! All I knew was it was somewhere north of Texas and North Carolina. It took looking at three maps before I found one that actually showed where Cedarville was! 4
WAYSBY BETH CRAM PORTER 5
Professor Emeritus Chuck Clevenger was the Chair of the Department of Music then, and he hired me. In 1997, I began my career at Cedarville University. For at least two years after arriving in Ohio, I would ask myself, “How did I get here? How did all my worldly possessions get here?” God is the only explanation I have. He works in mysterious ways. A HOME FOR GROWTH AND MUSIC The Dixon Ministry Center (DMC) opened in the fall of 1996 and became my new home when I moved here in August of 1997. My daughter, Anna, was 3 years old at the time, and she basically grew up in the DMC, becoming quite an excellent critic of good and bad vocal sounds at a very young age! I’ve privately awarded her an honorary doctorate in music! I have walked the halls of the DMC for 27 years; I have taught hundreds of students; I have attended hundreds of concerts and recitals; I have laughed and wept with countless students, precious colleagues, prospective students, and their families; and I have been transformed. I am a new creation. God is the only explanation I have. He works in mysterious ways. Come stroll with me through the Bolthouse Center for Music and let me tell you about the amazing department I call home. Dr. Dixon’s statue is a great place to start. I remember what I was wearing when I interviewed with Dr. Dixon in November of 1996. These days, I don’t remember what I ate for breakfast. Dr. Dixon and Mrs. Dixon are dear friends of mine and of so many who are reading this. As president, he was a great supporter of music and the arts. He would sometimes invite me to join him on the speaking/preaching engagements he enjoyed while he was president. He often requested that I sing The National Anthem “à la Sandi Patty,” and it was my joy to do so. God used His Word, whether spoken or sung, to advance His Kingdom and to transform me. Even as I gave back to God through song, God was recreating me. He works in mysterious ways. On any given weekday morning, you will find the DMC classrooms full of music students studying Music Theory, Aural Skills, Diction for Singers, and Vocal Pedagogy. You’ll hear Dr. Curlette’s booming voice as he enthusiastically teaches, admonishes, and prays for his beloved students. Dr. Lilite, the newest faculty member in the department, teaches Vocal Pedagogy and Diction for Singers at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Singers do not make noise or breathe until 2 p.m., but Dr. Lilite’s beautiful integration of his faith and masterful teaching wake the students right up! Dr. Yang’s courses in Music History for sophomores and juniors meet in the late morning in these spaces. Her classes 6
are full of music-making, with small ensemble days, listening quizzes, research, and writing. If you take her face-to-face Global Music course, be prepared to do cardio! I think this class should count toward a physical education elective! I wish you could hear Dr. Yang’s beautiful prayers at the beginning of class. The classroom teaching is excellent from all department faculty. The Lord has built a phenomenal, world-class faculty in this department at this school we may affectionately say is in the middle of the cornfields. He works in mysterious ways. THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF MUSIC Private lessons are taught morning, afternoon, and sometimes evenings. The halls are alive with the sound of music. Peek into Dr. Mortensen’s studio and you will most likely see him sitting in the green chair by the window, intently listening to his students. You might find Prof. Connie Anderson ’73 clapping and doing a happy dance with her students! “Prof Troth” is sitting at the piano and playing for her contemporary voice students, whether they are singing Caro Mio Ben or a beloved hymn arrangement. Prof. Chilcote, or “Dr. Chill,” as I call him, sits right next to his contemporary guitar students, guiding them through a myriad of guitar techniques. Prof. Elias stands next to his violin students, listening and playing passages with and for his students. Dr. Jenkins '97 has his saxophone around his neck as he demonstrates note bending or other basics of saxophone pedagogy. Dr. Jaquith and his music composition students sit in front of huge computer screens as they define and refine their original music. You may think we are only teaching music, but we are really teaching life, and Jesus, and life with Jesus. God is the only explanation I have for the transformative power of music. He works in mysterious ways. The afternoons in the DMC are reserved for department ensemble rehearsals. Our beloved Senior Professor Dr. Lyle Anderson '70 directs the Concert Chorale with love and passion. He is a beautiful example of steadfastness and perseverance. The Wind Symphony and the Jazz Band are in the capable hands of Dr. Jenkins. Have you heard Dr. Jenkins’s impersonation of the late Dr. Dave Matson '60? It is spot on! Both Dr. Anderson and Dr. Jenkins are Cedarville University alumni. They are living proof that the department prepares students for lifelong professional careers in music. Prof. Elias and the University Orchestra stay very busy both on and off campus playing the standard orchestral repertoire. Dr. O’Neel directs Jubilate, our worship leading choir. “Jubes” rehearses in DMC 164, across from the Christian Ministries office. They sing the music of today’s church enthusiastically. Our worship bands, Resonance and Rekindle, led by “Dr. Chill,” are on the road as often as our HeartSong Ministries teams. Like HeartSong, they represent the University and the Gospel very well. I direct the Women’s Choir, and they are amazing … in spite of their crazy director! I am confirmation that God works in mysterious ways. ECHOING THE CREATOR’S VOICE I love listening to the cacophony of sounds coming from the studios and rehearsal spaces. The kaleidoscope of music reminds me of the creative genius of God. God used His voice and spoke creation into being. He created our earthly home through His words. His beautifully ordered plan for creation was perfect, without blemish or flaw. He created everything out of nothing — ex nihilo (Gen 1:1–31). How amazing that we, His children, get to participate in creating music that will lift high the name of Jesus and point others to the Gospel. Can you believe what God has done at Cedarville University? Can you believe He allowed a sassy soprano from Texas to be part of His Kingdom work in the fertile farmland of Greene County, Ohio? Oh, the wonder of it all. The only explanation for Cedarville University is God. The only explanation for Beth Cram Porter is God. He works in mysterious ways. This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, his hand the wonders wrought* * Maltbie D. Babcock, “This is My Father’s World,” Verse 1, 1901, The Baptist Hymnal (Nashville, TN: Convention Press, 1991), 43. God used His Word, whether spoken or sung, to advance His Kingdom and to transform me. Even as I gave back to God through song, God was recreating me. He works in mysterious ways. Beth Cram Porter is Chair of the Department of Music and Worship. She earned her MA in music from Western Carolina University. 7
MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE 150 ENROLLMENT NUMBER OF ALUMNI 841 MISSION The Department of Music and Worship is passionate about helping students realize their highest level of musicianship as human beings created in the image of God. This happens through: § High-quality and Christ-centered instruction § Mentoring faculty who are teaching-artists dedicated to educating the whole person § Outreach, performance, and educational opportunities that enable students to serve on campus, in local churches, and around the globe The result: Music and worship graduates are prepared artistically, intellectually, and practically for professional careers and graduate study. VISION: SOLI DEO GLORIA The Department of Music and Worship teaches students to use their musical abilities to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. In music performance, pedagogy, composition, and worship alike, the department’s graduates are lifting the Lord’s name high and helping others to do the same. DEPARTMENT ENSEMBLES Concert Chorale Jazz Band Jubilate Madrigal Choir Opera Ensemble Pep Band Rekindle Resonance University Orchestra Wind Symphony Women’s Choir of 2023 music and worship graduates were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. CAREER PLACEMENT RATE 95.2% THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC AND WORSHIP 8
DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP Beth Cram Porter, MA Chair, Professor of Vocal Music Roger O’Neel, PhD Professor of Worship; Assistant Chair; Director – Worship Program FACULTY 13 Full-Time Faculty Members FIRST GRADUATING CLASS 1960 DEPARTMENT HYMN ACCREDITATION Cedarville University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. Reprinted by permission. If you wish to make further copies, please contact Hope Publishing Company. When in Our Music God Is Glorified 641 ri found fied, for that and have tuned psalm gy we glo be a praise! night song, ery not the ten, our in Je church, mak mu 5 Let 4 And 3 So 2 How 1 When ev did has of in mu God stru sus in ing sic ur sic, is ment sing lit to the of of for no the tu a a voice gainst ries world room raise! light? wrong, sound, pride, 4 o ra re most and di all ut faith new ad Let when in a and who vil through sion tion have strove cen in leaves joice e love, men Guitar chords in Pew Edition do not correspond with keyboard harmony. Glory to God641 TEXT: Fred Pratt Green, 1972, alt.; © 1972 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. MUSIC (ENGELBERG 10.10.10.4): Charles Villiers Stanford, 1904, alt. When in Our Music God Is Glorified 641 to he in a cre sing won ev more a 7 al the ery pro tion ways: fight: tongue: found cried: may let wit wor is God us ness ship as And Then borne as it whole us for the us the faith whom truth to give sing, to moved though le Al 10 ia! 1.--4. lu Al Al Al Al ia! ia! ia! ia! lu lu lu le le le le 5. lu Glory to God641 When in Our Music God Is Glorified 641 to he in a cre sing won ev more a 7 al the ery pro tion ways: fight: tongue: found cried: may let wit wor is God us ness ship as And Then borne as it whole us for the us the faith whom truth to give sing, to moved though le Al 10 ia! 1.--4. lu Al Al Al Al ia! ia! ia! ia! lu lu lu le le le le 5. lu Glory to God641 TEXT: Fred Pratt Green, 1972, alt.; © 1972 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. MUSIC (ENGELBERG 10.10.10.4): Charles Villiers Stanford, 1904, alt. The Department of Music and Worship is an integral part of Cedarville's newly formed School of Arts and Humanities, led by Dr. Mark Caleb Smith, Dean. 9
MEET THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC AND WORSHIP FULL-TIME FACULTY John Mortensen, DMA Professor of Music Louima Lilite, DMA Professor of Music Chester Jenkins ’97, DMA Assistant Professor of Music Austin Jaquith, DMA Professor of Music Theory and Composition Carlos Elias, MM Professor of Music Bruce Curlette, DMA Professor of Music John Chilcote, MA Assistant Professor of Worship Lyle Anderson ’70, PhD Senior Professor of Music Connie Anderson ’73, MM Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy REFLECTING EXCELLENCE AUSTIN JAQUITH — THE COMPOSER We are called to create, and Austin Jaquith's job depends on it! Jaquith, Professor of Music Theory and Composition, teaches courses in music theory, composition, and technology as well as having an active presence as a composer both locally and nationally. He is a versatile composer of works for film, dance, and the concert hall. His musical style tilts toward orchestral and electronic genres, although he has produced works far outside these boundaries. His music has been recognized as outstanding by the Christian Worldview Film Festival, the American Prize, and the American Composers Orchestra Earshot Readings. His film scores are noted for their thoughtfulness, wit, and musical craftsmanship. In addition to his creative skills, Jaquith is also a conductor, an orchestrator, and a recording engineer, enabling him to produce beautiful and authentic scores for independent films without the resources of big-budget projects. He earned his DMA in musical composition from Indiana University. LOUIMA LILITE — THE TENOR Lou Lilite, Professor of Music, is the newest member of the music faculty. A classically trained tenor from Haiti, he brings an international perspective to the Department of Music and Worship along with a passion for incorporating faith and Scripture into every course he teaches. He came to Cedarville following 15 years on the faculty at Oklahoma Baptist University. Lilite earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in voice performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music. He has performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Eastman-Rochester Chorus and Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Consort in Handel's Messiah, the Shawnee Community Orchestra, the Biola Conservatory Chorale and Orchestra in Orff's Carmina Burana, the Sainte Trinité Symphony, maestro Gerardo Edelstein in Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio, and the Penn State University Chorus and Orchestra in Schubert's Mass in G. He is the author of two books about faith and music: Weeding Impatience: Growing in Patience and When Music Meets Faith: Reflecting on Musical Terms for a Deeper Faith. At Cedarville, he directs the Opera Ensemble. 10
Sandra Yang, PhD Professor of Music History Susan Troth, MM Associate Professor of Worship Beth Cram Porter, MA Professor of Vocal Music; Chair – Music and Worship Roger O’Neel, PhD Professor of Worship; Assistant Chair; Director – Worship Program JOHN MORTENSEN — THE PIANO MAN John Mortensen, Professor of Music, is a leader in the international revival of historic improvisation. Appearing frequently as a concert artist and masterclass teacher at colleges and universities in America and Europe, he is noted for his ability to improvise entire concerts in historic styles, including complex compositions such as Baroque fugues. Mortensen is a Steinway Artist and an Ohio Artist on Tour. In 2019, the U.S. State Department named him a Fulbright Global Scholar in Historic Improvisation to serve as an international artistic ambassador on behalf of the American people. His recent research into historic improvisation has resulted in two books published by Oxford University Press: The Pianist’s Guide to Historic Improvisation (2020) — the world’s best-selling book in the field of historic keyboard improvisation, now in use as a course text at many leading conservatories — and Improvising Fugue: A Method for Keyboard Artists (2023). He is the creator of Improv Planet, an online school of historic improvisation, where his students include concert artists and conservatory faculty from across the world. In March 2024, Mortensen began teaching as a guest professor at The Juilliard School. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance and literature from the University of Maryland. SANDRA YANG — THE MUSIC HISTORIAN Sandra Yang, Professor of Music History, has made significant contributions to the Department of Music and Worship and to the University as a whole. She served as Chair for two Higher Learning Commission self-studies, helping Cedarville earn reaccreditation twice. She taught in the Departments of Music and History at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, before coming to Cedarville in 2009. She is actively involved in the College Music Society and the American Musicological Society, regularly presenting current research. She serves on the Pedagogy Study Group of the American Musicological Society and has been actively promoting music history pedagogy through National Music History Day and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Musical Offerings and frequently serves as a peer reviewer for journals in her field. Yang earned her PhD in musicology from UCLA. She is a creative and passionate professor and has led a Bible study for students for years. She specializes in pedagogy, online learning, and 20th century French music history. ADJUNCT FACULTY The department's full-time faculty is supplemented by 15 outstanding adjunct instructors who provide private lessons for each music major's primary instrument. 11
12 The impact of the Department of Music and Worship is felt across campus every day, contributing to the vibrant community and musical excellence we enjoy in chapel, at major student events, and in rehearsals and performances. Every student, regardless of major, can get involved in the department’s impressive array of world-class ensembles, from choirs and worship bands to madrigal singers and a symphony orchestra. These ensembles regularly hold performances that are open to the community and typically free to attend. But the impact of music on campus extends well beyond the rehearsal halls and stages of the Dixon Ministry Center. The pep band brings spirited support to our sports teams, while student-led worship bands fill our chapels with daily praise. HeartSong worship teams lead music at churches and camps nationwide. The musical talents of our students also contribute to the excellence of Cedarville’s one-of-a-kind Elliv spring semester finale event. You’ll find the influence of music at Cedarville in everything from academics to student life and ministry, and every student can find a way to join in. Resounding Impact
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UNDERGRADUATE Get to Know Our Music and Worship Programs Cedarville’s music and worship program builds a strong artistic, intellectual, and practical foundation for professional careers and graduate studies. Department faculty members teach each student to honor the Master Creator with their creative endeavors. The department’s classes and practice rooms are housed in the outstanding Bolthouse Center for Music in the Dixon Ministry Center. These excellent teaching, rehearsal, and performance spaces facilitate learning and exploration and create community between the music and worship students and faculty. MAJORS §Composition (BM) §Keyboard Pedagogy (BM) §Music (BA) §Music Education (BME) §Performance (BM) §Worship (BA) PROGRAM DETAILS §Credit hours: 128–143 (including general education and major courses) §Terms: 16-week semesters §Program delivery: On campus §Completion time: Typically eight semesters, but select programs offer a three-year option. Learn more at cedarville.edu/3yearoption. DEGREE FEATURES §Biblical Integration – Students are challenged not only to be successful in their career field but also to use their God-given talents for His glory. §Experiential – Students participate in ensembles and worship bands, compete in songwriting competitions, or complete an internship. §Scholarships – Soli Deo Gloria Music and Worship scholarships along with academic, needbased, and other generous financial aid options are available. If you know high school students who would benefit from Cedarville's biblically focused music and worship programs, encourage them to apply at cedarville.edu/apply. 14
GRADUATE MA – WORSHIP AND THEOLOGY A collaboration between the Department of Music and Worship and School of Biblical and Theological Studies, Cedarville University’s online Master of Arts in Worship and Theology degree equips students with biblical knowledge and practical worship skills to be an effective worship leader for God’s glory. GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN WORSHIP LEADERSHIP Cedarville’s four-course, 12-credit online graduate Certificate in Worship Leadership provides practical training in worship ministry. The certificate also makes up one-third of the credits needed for the MA, making it a great way to get started with graduate learning at Cedarville! PROGRAM DETAILS §Credit hours: 36 for the master’s degree | 12 for the certificate §Terms: 7-week §Financial aid: Financial aid available for the master’s degree §Program delivery: Online §Completion time: Can be completed in as little as one year PROGRAM FEATURES §Strong Foundation – Courses have a strong foundation in theology and ministry. §Specialization Courses – 12 hours of specialized courses equip students with practical worship skills. §Flexible – Can be completed online in as little as one calendar year, with full- or part-time options to meet adult students’ needs. If you or someone you know is ready to increase their ministry impact with graduate-level training in worship, apply at cedarville.edu/gradapply. 15
ECHOES 16
OF EXCELLENCE Like students in other artistic disciplines, music majors are often asked the question, “What do you want to do with your degree?" At Cedarville, the Department of Music and Worship answers: “What can't you do?" From worship leadership to music pedagogy, from soundtrack composition to performance in recording groups, bands, and orchestras, Cedarville music and worship graduates are working within the music profession and shining a light for the Lord in powerful ways. Read on to see what five of Cedarville's recent music and worship graduates are doing today and how Cedarville equipped them to live out their callings with excellence. Photo provided by Simon Yeh ’15 Grant McCurdy ’14 CURRENT POSITION: I currently serve as the Senior Director of Worship and Production at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, where I have the privilege of overseeing an incredible team of staff and volunteers and planning services from both liturgical and technical perspectives. MILESTONES AND MINISTRIES: § Worship Leader at Christ Our Peace International Anglican Church, Phnom Penh, Cambodia § Senior Director of Worship and Production at The Village Church § Wrote and recorded a variety of singles and albums, such as “Nothing Compares" and “More Like Christ," with The Village Church § Ongoing participation in developing a worship leader discipleship ministry called “The Way of Worship" CEDARVILLE STORY: My relationships, experiences, and education from Cedarville University are inseparable from the worship leader and person I am today. Cedarville's staff, classes, and culture have left an incredible mark on my life which I continue to be so, so grateful for. I gained an enormous amount of practical experience from chapel bands and HeartSong, personal mentorship from great men like Jim Cato ’83 and Brandon Waltz ’87, and invaluable biblical teaching throughout my four years on campus. It's difficult to quantify just how much formation and growth took place over that time. The Lord led me to transfer from another school mere days before my freshman year began, and I can't imagine what a loss it would have been to ignore His voice at that time. I am quick to recommend Cedarville as a wonderful institution full of people I love and respect to anyone who is considering their next steps in higher education. 17
Kyle Darwin ’16 CURRENT POSITION: I’ve been a saxophonist in the U.S. Army for more than seven years. I’m currently stationed at Fort Moore in Columbus, Georgia. I play in our woodwind sextet, ceremonial band, and marching band. A few times a year, we also put together a show as a full band where I often play in a big-band-style setting. I regularly play baritone saxophone and alto saxophone and perform in a wide variety of scenarios for audiences ranging from 10 people to just over 20,000. MILESTONES AND MINISTRIES: § Performed in a parade for President Jimmy Carter's birthday § Played in approximately 1,000 musical performances with the Army § Participated in over 800 rehearsals § Received honors like the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and National Defense Service Medal CEDARVILLE STORY: My transformative journey at Cedarville University deeply shaped my identity as a soldier and leader. I underwent significant spiritual growth, discovering what it meant to devote myself to Christ and to love sacrificially. The institution's ethos, “For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ,” resonated with me from the start, affirming my decision to attend. It felt like God calling me, positioning me precisely where I needed to be. Collaborating with a fellow saxophonist for both my first duo recital and subsequent performances taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and stage presence. I owe much of my musical development to Dr. Chet Jenkins, whose unwavering patience, kindness, and high expectations propelled me forward. His mentorship not only honed my skills but also paved the way for my acceptance into the prestigious Army Band field. Cedarville University was not just an academic institution to me; it was a crucible of spiritual growth, development of my relationship with Christ, and preparation for the path ahead. Simon Yeh ’15 CURRENT POSITION: I am performing as both a live and studio musician (saxophone/ woodwinds) and have been the saxophonist for Danny Gokey since 2017. I’ve also been working as an adjunct professor of saxophone and jazz studies since 2019, directing the jazz band and teaching ear training and music technology classes. I’m also a producer, composer, and orchestrator. I go by Chris Yeh (Christopher is my middle name) and produce music primarily for film and TV that can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms. In this capacity, I’m also the producer and orchestrator for HEATHER, an up-and-coming Christian artist. MILESTONES AND MINISTRIES: § Performed live in every state other than Hawaii and Alaska as well as the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Guatemala § Performed on more than 10 national tours and hundreds of festivals all over the US and internationally § Produced/arranged the live show for Danny Gokey's fall 2023 tour § Play regularly alongside top musicians and artists in the industry, both in studio and live settings CEDARVILLE STORY: As a student at Cedarville, I had so many opportunities to grow as a musician. I played lead tenor in the big band, principal clarinet in the symphonic band and orchestra, as well as flute in many composition recitals. I was also student director of the jazz band for a year, which helped prepare me for when I stepped into a jazz band director role years later. On top of all of these great playing opportunities was an amazing faculty who both cared about my musical growth as well as my personal and spiritual development. The longer I have been out of school, the more I see and appreciate how important that was to my development. When I look back, there are direct ties and connections from Cedarville that God orchestrated which led me to the amazing career in music that I currently have. It's been an amazing ride so far, and I look forward to what the future holds! In closing, I'll say this: God is good, and all we have to do is rely on Him fully, then give Him all the credit in all that we do. Photo credit: Tristan Wall 18
Sean Kisch ’17 CURRENT POSITION: I am a music copyist and librarian at JoAnn Kane Music Services (JKMS) in Los Angeles. JKMS works side by side with film composers to help them get their music ready for recording sessions. My primary role now is coordinating our Live-In-Concert library, which creates and ships shows like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, How to Train Your Dragon, Elf, and many others. MILESTONES AND MINISTRIES: § Credits with JoAnn Kane Music Service include Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Avatar: The Way of Water, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ahsoka, Only Murders in the Building, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and many more § Worked on films for John Williams, Alan Silvestri, James Newton Howard, John Debney, and Christophe Beck, providing services from midi mockups and score entry to part creation and in-concert preparation § Runner Up for Best Original Score at the Christian Worldview Film Festival for the film Counter Column (2020) § Winner of the Christmas Carol Commission Competition with performances of “Rise Anon” by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir (2018) CEDARVILLE STORY: I could not do my job today if it were not for the training I received at Cedarville. The music technology classes gave me skills that I use every day in notation software and digital audio workstations. But most of all, I’m grateful for the personal investments of faculty such as Dr. Austin Jaquith, who helped me score my first feature film. Relationships like that helped me build my credit list and taught me life skills like how to be a disciplined writer and how to sabbath well. Those same relationships fostered deep conversations about how I should reflect Christ in my work. Even though most of my day-to-day work involves serving other composers rather than my own creative writing, I see all of my daily tasks — organizing notes on the page, creating mockups, or preparing live performances — as worthy of the highest level of excellence. I love that the word “service” is in the name JoAnn Kane Music Service. My time at Cedarville inspired me to lean into that calling — to see every cue and every concert as an opportunity to exhibit Christ’s servant-heart. Courtney (Potter) Nicholl ’06, MEd ’16 CURRENT POSITION: I live and teach in Kettering, Ohio. I am married to Andrew Nicholl ’05 (BA in church music). We have two kids, Romey (13) and Paisley (11). We serve at Waynesville Community Church. I teach about 400 students a week in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. We teach integrated classes that have mainstreamed students who have autism. During the school year, I also direct a volunteer choir of 100 third through fifth grade students. My students participate in concerts at my school as well as around our Kettering community. MILESTONES AND MINISTRIES: § Kettering Outstanding Teacher Award § VFW Teacher Appreciation Award § NAFME Guest Speaker § OMEA Registration § Master in Education § Middle School Band Director § Special Education Music Teacher § General Music Teacher K-5 § Private Lessons Instructor § Student Intern Mentor § Adjunct Music Education Professor at Cedarville CEDARVILLE STORY: I will always cherish my time attending Cedarville University. The education I received from both the music and worship department and the education department set me up to be a successful educator. The professors in the music department molded me into the musician that I am today. They instilled a lifelong love for music in me and invested in me as a student. As an educator in the public school system, I am thankful to Cedarville University for helping me grow in my faith in Christ that is unwavering in my classroom. 19
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AN INTERVIEW WITH JIM CATO For 40 years, Jim Cato ’83, Associate Vice President of Christian Ministries, has dedicated his life to music and ministry at Cedarville University. As he approached retirement this spring, Cato sat down with Cedarville Magazine to look back on his tenure. His legacy is marked by a steadfast love for students, a passion for worship that transcends music, and a commitment to living a life that faithfully reflects Christ. His influence will continue to resonate through the lives of those he has touched, shaping the future of worship and ministry at Cedarville University and beyond. WORSHIP A HEART OF 21
What brought you to Cedarville? I grew up in a pastor's home in the 1960s, an interesting time with all that was going on culturally there. I grew up in a time when externals became very important because we [the church] didn't want to be like what was going on in the culture. So you have to work really hard at doing all the right things and looking right. But out of that backdrop of emphasizing externals, I still heard the Gospel and put my faith in Christ. I knew Christ, but there was a lot of confusion about what that looked like. I was still somewhat confused when a friend of mine said, “You gotta come to this place called Cedarville." So my wife and I packed everything up in a U-Haul, and here we came. And when I got here, for me, it was a significant change. It was just a real breath of fresh air for me. How did you grow spiritually at Cedarville? My wife and I basically have just spiritually grown up here. This was the early 1980s, but still, at that time, Cedarville was striving to be biblically conservative, but to be culturally relevant and engage culture, not to be afraid and to separate from culture, which is what I grew up in. And I began to grow and learn about grace. How has worship at Cedarville evolved during your time here, and how have you evolved with it? Well, you know, when I came here, chapel was a piano and an organ and a hymn, one hymn every day, and then we would have what we called back then special music. It was that way for decades until it began to change over 20 years ago when the Student Government Association (SGA) began to use bands. Because of what was going on in our culture, churches began to shift from piano- and organ-driven music to bands with what they called the praise and worship movement. Basically, in chapel we are trying to minister to 18- to 22-year-olds. And so we try to have a musical language that is going to be a common language for that congregation here. When we are talking about the worship culture, most people are thinking music, and I think it's dangerous to say worship equals music because what happens is we begin to worship styles and forms, and that's why music is always controversial. So I think for me, in my 40 years here, it's been an ongoing seeking and struggling to say “What does it really, truly mean to exclusively worship God and not styles and forms?" They'll change. But what is non-negotiable about worship? And so the search is to find that out. 22
What philosophy of worship have you sought to instill in Cedarville students? What makes Godhonoring worship? Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “It is the voice of the church that is heard in singing together. It is not you that sings. It is the church that is singing. And you, as a member of the church, may share in its song." So we also have to take a hard look at whether the styles and forms we're using musically are helping the church sing or not helping the church sing. These choices we make either become a help to people to worship and focus centrally and completely on God or a hindrance to that. So my goal for helping the students here is to strip away the stuff that doesn't help and to press in on the stuff that does help. There's a good passage of Scripture that talks to this where Jesus is with the woman at the well. She's a Samaritan woman. She knows that Jesus is a Jew. She recognizes Him because He knows everything about her. And she believes He is God, and the first thing she says is, “Let me go to the temple so I can worship." And Jesus says something very interesting. He says “The time is coming now when you will worship in spirit and in truth." So He's saying this is not about styles and forms and buildings. This is about truth and this is about spirit. True worship involves three things that I can really see. It involves, if it's all that we are, intellect, emotion, and will, which would be what I would call obedience. So we need to, in our intellect, learn who God is, saying good theology of who God is. That should move us emotionally and drive us to obedience. When all three of those are aligned, I think you've worshiped. How did Cedarville’s traveling teams, specifically HeartSong, come to be? Historically, when I came here, we had the Kingsmen Quartet, which was a male quartet, then we had the Abundant Life Singers, then we had the Swordbearers, then we had the Sounds of Joy, a ladies trio. And you know, as it is with musicians, there's going to be competition, because we had all these different styles of teams. And so I had this dream of not just having different names, but let's just have one name. They're all the same. They're worshiping God in having a unified theme that kills that competition. What impact has HeartSong had on Cedarville and beyond? Brandon Waltz ’87 and I came up with what we call the HeartSong Way. And we say it’s the practice of centering on Jesus so we will know and live and speak the good news about Jesus. To worship exclusively, to engage others in worshiping only God, to grow together, to make Bible study and meditation and prayer priorities in our lives, to live connected, to pursue authentic community as brothers and sisters in Christ, to serve selflessly, and to enjoy anticipating and acting on the needs of others first. We want to represent well wherever we are. I think that’s part of the success of HeartSong. If we do these things well, this is going to protect the good name of Cedarville, the good name of HeartSong, and more importantly, the name of Christ. And we want to be good representatives of all three of those things. What are your hopes for HeartSong in the future? My heart would be that we stay focused on the right things. The music’s going to change. Right now, in the church, there are some of the best hymns that have ever been written, and they’ve been written in the last 20 years. Something like “In Christ Alone." “His Mercy Is More." So I trust that God always has songwriters. He’s always had people who are expressing who Jesus is and what He’s done for us through song. And I don’t think that’s going away, because music was God’s idea. We keep forgetting that. But it must grieve God’s heart when we are fighting over how we worship Him because of certain styles and forms. So my heart moving forward with HeartSong is that they never emphasize style and form over the truth of what it means to love God only and serve Him sincerely and live obediently to Him. There are so many moments where students have challenged me, loved me, wept with me, laughed with me. My passion to try to help prepare the next generation of those who will lead in music and churches has been a real joy. 23
Reflecting on your 40 years at Cedarville, can you share a particularly transformative memory or event? There will be lots, but I will tell you that they all have to do with students. That’s why I’m here, why I came, and why I stayed. There are so many moments where students have challenged me, loved me, wept with me, laughed with me. My passion to try to help prepare the next generation of those who will lead in music and churches has been a real joy. And there are days that I just stand and I just stop in chapel and I just turn and look at the students and weep, and I say, “God, how in the world have you let this old guy be a part of this for so long?” Any closing thoughts on worship? Worship is not a moment in time. It's not something that you can package. Worship is as limitless as God Himself. So I hope at Cedarville, we are learning that worship is something that's intricate to all that we do and everything we say and how we love each other and how we care for each other and how we walk in obedience. That this life of worship is more important than some kind of perfect chord that we hit that makes everybody's hands go in the air and makes something mystical and magical happen in the room. And I think that's why the blend of this musical aspect and the passion to obey God in living out the Great Commission, you know, music and evangelism, music and discipleship, this all mixes together to cause us to have a life of worship. I hope that's what we're doing here. That’s what I'm trying to do. As you prepare to leave Cedarville, how do you hope to be remembered? I don't really think about that. I kind of live in the moment. I hope it would be that I really love students. And that in my brokenness and failure I do love Jesus, even though it doesn't always come out that way because I'm broken. I hope the students know that I love Jesus and I love them. 24
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