A Week of Music at CCCK

McPherson, Kansas – Music performances encompassed the last week of February where students displayed music they had been learning in class. Though a stressful week for some, students were thankful for the opportunity to share their gifts to live audiences – an opportunity that has not occurred since before COVID affected the McPherson area.

The week of music began on Tuesday evening, February 23^rd, with the Choir and Jazz Band concert in Greer Auditorium to a socially distanced audience.  The choir performed first, under the direction of Dr. Brett Janssen (CC ’01), and showcased a variety of genres from sacred to secular.  Sacred selections included “African Psalm” by Liebergen which features text from the Psalms set to a Kenyan folk song, and “Beneath The Cross Of Jesus,” arranged by Hopson.  The hymn setting of “Blessed Assurance,” arranged by Raney, featured senior Luke Koerperich with a solo.

Music from the movies was the loosely themed program for the jazz band, directed by Dr. Janssen, which featured themes from James Bond, Monster’s Inc, Toy Story, and The Andy Griffeth Show.  Senior Tanner Rose was featured in The Pink Panther theme to close out the jazz band portion of the music, but the evening concluded with the choir and choir alumni singing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.”

On Wednesday night, the music ministry team led students in a time of worship in The Warehouse as part of Central’s Night of Worship series.  The ministry team, under the direction of Ms. Jean Kennedy, has made adjustments in how they prepare and minister to the Central student population due to COVID.  Nights of Worship have been a positive avenue as there is currently no singing in the regular chapel services.  Songs for the worship event range from “Love Theory” by Kirk Franklin to “How He Loves Us” as made popular by the David Crowder Band.

The music-filled week concluded with a Lab Band performance in The Warehouse on Friday evening.  Performances included the Central Lab Band Annie Will Know, directed by Dr. Jacob Kaufman (CC ’03), and Lemongrass, a band led by Emily Epp (CC ’20).  Annie Will Know brought high energy from the stage presenting cover songs “Long Train Runnin” and “All Along the Watchtower”.  The band presented an original song, “The Maine”, written by band member Luke Koerperich.

Lemongrass followed the first band, presenting original songs, “Dissonance”, “Wonderland”, and “Rest” along with a cover of “Manifesto” by the City Harmonic.  Band members of Epp’s band are all current students at Central besides Lance Hall who graduated in 2020. Instrumentation within the band includes drums, piano, guitar, bass guitar, violin, and mandolin.

Future events featuring these music groups will occur in April, including the CCCK Lab Band concert, which will take place Monday, April 26^th at 7:00 p.m. in The Warehouse.  Come out to Heartbeat Coffee on Tuesday, April 20^th at 7:00 p.m. for some Smoothies and Jazz with the Jazz Band, and the Concert Choir will perform in Greer Auditorium on Sunday, April 18^th at 3:00 p.m., which will feature many of the selections the choir has learned this year including the traditional CCCK Choir benediction.

ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS

Central Christian College of Kansas is a regionally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Central strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person – heart, mind, soul, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about who Central is go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.