News: CCU Bands Tour Colorado

On Tuesday, February 8, a group of 45 CCU musicians left the School of Music for a 6-day, 9-performance tour, with stops in Franktown, Buena Vista, Greeley, Longmont, Estes Park, and Edwards. Hundreds of people were exposed to the ministry and vision of Colorado Christian University and the School of Music, in churches, schools, and public venues along the Front Range.

Three ensembles were featured during the tour: the University Wind Ensemble (symphonic band), Mainstream jazz ensemble, and a student-assembled worship team. This tour brought the CCU School of Music together with several other institutions:

• a joint concert with the jazz band students at Longmont Christian School;
• a chapel performance at Dayspring Christian School in Greeley, followed by a workshop/clinic with band students there;
• an all-school performance at Buena Vista High School, followed by breakout sessions with their band students;
• a concert as a part of a Valentine's outreach event sponsored by the Trinity Church in Edwards.

A special highlight of the tour was having 3 performances hosted by CCU alumni. Tanner Oharah 13, the choir director at Buena Vista High School, sponsored a school performance there, as well as a concert at Clearview Community Church in Buena Vista. Jason Platt 02, youth pastor at Trinity Church in Edwards, sponsored the tour finale at his church on Valentine's Day.

The CCU Bands have gone on tour annually for over 20 years, with a great tradition of serving Christ and spreading the word about the mission of CCU.

Other performances included Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Franktown, and a concert at Rocky Mountain Church in Estes Park (the fourth time the bands have been at Rocky!)

The concerts featured symphonic band music performed by the CCU Wind Ensemble and big band jazz by Mainstream. Highlights of the band's repertoire included an inspiring instrumental setting of the hymn Nothing But the Blood of Jesus, excerpts from Julie Giroux's powerful Bookmarks from Japan, and the energetic and dazzling Dance of the Jesters by Tchaikovsky. Senior composition major, John Hansen, conducted his own composition, National Lullabye, on several of the concerts.

The jazz band entertained audiences with encore performances of the January program from the Colorado Music Educators Association annual Clinic/Conference, featuring the music of Eric Richards. A special highlight were nightly performances of Ena Neo Pragma, a piece written by Dr. Richards for the CCU jazz band, inspired by Isaiah 43:18,19 and based on Beethoven's Ode to Joy melody.

Standing ovations greeted nearly every concert. For each of the church and school chapel performances, the concerts opened with a worship set led by a contemporary worship band, made up of CCU music students.

Special acknowledgement goes to Sarah McLean, tour director, and Professor Mark Dorn, professor of music, as well as many thanks for the hospitality shown us by our many hosts. Additional thanks to the CCU Admissions Department, who sent representatives to many of the schools and churches.

This tour made many new friends for CCU, developed our student musicians, and honored the name of Christ across our state.