Everyday Lights Performs at Central

Written by Dr. Brett Janssen, CCCK Division of Humanities Chair

McPherson, Kansas – Salina band Everyday Lights performed Friday, March 26th in The Warehouse for the two-part CCM Seminar:  The Professional Musician.  The seminar consisted of a 4:00 lecture in which music educators Paul Austin, Jennifer Chlumsky, and Cody Toll discussed how they as a band formed, how they write music, and how they continue to perform as a band that is spread out around Central Kansas.  This was motivating to the CCCK music students to hear about each of their backgrounds and hear encouraging words from musicians who were once in our student’s shoes.  The lecture portion of the seminar concluded with a song the musicians wanted to share with the band.

The second half of the seminar was the evening performance, with The Warehouse garage open to view a beautiful spring evening.  The performance consisted of a smaller, more acoustical set than normal, to fit The Warehouse stage with an audience consisting of “Everyday Lights” fans from the Salina area in addition to CCCK staff and students.  The band for the evening consisted of Austin on guitar and vocals, Chlumsky on vocals and harmonica, Toll on violin, and Keenan Toll on cajon.  A few cover songs were sprinkled throughout the setlist including a Tom Petty song and a Johnny Cash song, with a praise song placed at the end of the set to conclude the evening.  Most were original songs, including “Don’t Bury Me” and a number of new songs that were set to debut on a live recording EP in March of 2020, which is still postponed.  Each member of the band was excited and thankful to be able to perform for the first time in public since COVID hit a year ago.

Everyday Lights is a group of classically trained musicians based out of Salina whose music is influenced by folk, country, rock, and bluegrass.  The group enjoys performing for attentive crowds, where they can convey the positive message of the Gospel through song.

Upcoming events for the CCCK Music Department include a choir concert on Sunday, April 18^th at 3:00 p.m. in Greer Auditorium, which will feature senior Luke Koerperich on “Blessed Assurance,” arranged by Raney.  Other pieces range from folk melodies to jazz and spirituals to hymns, and choir alumni will be invited to sing “The Lord Bless You And Keep You” with the choir.  The CCCK Jazz Band will perform a Smoothies and Jazz concert Tuesday, April 20^th at 7:00 p.m. outside at Heartbeat Coffee.  Featured works include “Spain” by Chick Corea, “Fly Me To The Moon,” as made popular by Sinatra, and “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” from the movie Toy Story.

There will also be an upcoming art show in the Library located in the RBC on April 8^th from 2:00-4:00 p.m.  Featured artwork on display will include student art of painting, drawing, stained glass, ceramics, and digital art from this school year.  A few selections of artwork from faculty will be on display in addition to the student work.  Awards will be given to different mediums, including a people’s choice award in which attendees can vote on their favorite artwork.

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.