Inspire, Summer 2009

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY 19 sending students to the showcase, he submits nominations of students he considers talented enough to participate. He also expects them to create a musical resumé of their abilities and accomplishments to distinguish themselves from the other applicants. Nominated students and their parents receive a clear letter of explanation from Gary outlining what the event will entail if they are chosen to participate — including the fact that students will be exposed to evangelical Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the weekend. Once parents sign their approval and the nominees are accepted, Gary and his music students are free to travel to Cedarville to experience the weekend in full. Gary has no doubt the event is a musical growth opportunity for his students. The high school band at Hanover-Horton has only 50 members, and the showcase band is twice that size. Furthermore, students are stretched by learning new and difficult music, following a different director’s style, and working side-by-side with an unfamiliar group of musicians. But Gary also recognizes that the same individuals who provide quality musical experience throughout the weekend are also personally interested in the welfare of his students. He knows the Cedarville faculty and students care about the eternal destiny of the young people he brings to the event. Building Rapport Mike DiCuirci, professor of instrumental music at Cedarville, also believes in seizing opportunities to introduce students to God. Having taught at the University for 30 years, he has been a part of the annual music event since its inception two decades ago. Each year he shares his testimony with students at the showcase. “Usually I wait until I’ve built a rapport with the students,” explained Mike. “Saturday morning is my time to pray with them and talk to them openly about the Lord.” As a result of his efforts and those of the other music department faculty, Mike has seen the participants moved to accept Jesus Christ as Lord. “Overall, Cedarville exists for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, so the showcase is a great opportunity for us to be ambassadors for Christ as these kids come and spend three days with us,” he said. “Our goal is to make good music, show them the college, and present the Gospel.” Mike recognizes that if high school students make spiritual decisions while they are at Cedarville, much of the follow-up is in the hands of music directors like Gary. With that in mind, Gary takes a proactive approach by asking his church members and other believers to pray for him and his students during the weekend. Answering Questions Gary often engages in faith-focused discussions with students during the four-and-a-half-hour car ride to Cedarville — before they have even stepped on campus. Because students know Cedarville is a Christian university, conversations naturally turn to spiritual topics. One girl began asking questions during the weekend and then accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. Other students have chosen to attend Cedarville after participating in the showcase. Consequently, they’ve had the opportunity to grow in and be challenged by a Christian community as part of their college experience. Even Gary is touched by the spiritual influence of the showcase as he attends year after year. “My wife notices a difference in me when I get home at the end of the weekend,” he said. “That’s definitely an answer to prayer!” He admits it was the teaching and growth he experienced as a Cedarville student that defined his own faith and helped him understand what he believed and why. Now he wants the young people in his classes to have the chance at a similar experience. That is why he continues to send students to the Music Showcase, knowing it provides a way for faith and music to intersect in a manner that could lead to long-term life-change. “I think we have planted seeds in all those who have participated,” he said, “and it’s up to God to draw them to Him.” Gary Rouster ’84 and his wife, Carol (Essler) ’84, live in Jackson, Michigan, with their son, Nathan. You may contact Gary at rouster@comcast.net. Hohna Hartley is a freelance writer living in Richmond Hill, Georgia. You may contact her at hohnahartley@yahoo.com. Gary Rouster ‘84 works with his high school band students as they perfect their music pieces. And their diligence certainly pays off. The 51-member band has even performed at Walt Disney World! Do you know a talented high school musician who would benefit from Cedarville’s annual Music Showcase? Learn more and nominate students at www.cedarville.edu/musicshowcase . i