School of Music Students Perform Original Songs in Front of a Live Audience

Songwriting is an expression of the depths of the heart: love, joy, pain and anger. Recently, those expressions found their way onto the “big stage” in the School of Music’s  Showcase.

Songwriting students from the studios of Dr. David Hahn and Don Marsh presented original songs in a variety of styles to an audience in the 1,600-seat concert hall. 

When reflecting on his students’ performances in the showcase, Chair of the Department of Commercial Music Dr. David Hahn said, “They all brought expression from their heart. Songwriters show up and tell the truth. I thought they all did that. I thought they all told the truth, and we write from a biblical worldview, whether it’s a love song or a broken heart song or a worship song or an ‘I love Jesus’ song. You saw it all last night.”

The showcase was conducted in a socially distanced manner with stage equipment wiped down between each performance. All members of the audience wore masks and used a QR code to access digital programs. 

A large LED screen set up behind the performers and dramatic, colorful lighting created an exciting concert atmosphere. The enthusiastic audience supported the performers with loud applause, screams and cheers.

Between rounds of applause, friends and family of the performers yelled fun, encouraging things. According to Hahn, “Our concert hall is unique in providing a very large stage — we call it ‘the big stage’ — which demands a level beyond the average, and it is a proving ground. … There is an awareness regarding the effectiveness of the song that comes when your song is performed on that stage.”

Hahn opened the night with a few announcements and a prayer of thankfulness. The showcase continued as songwriting students, including Liberty Worship Collective member Rachel Anderson, performed their original pieces. A huge variety of songs found their way to the stage that night, in styles from pop to folk to alternative and featuring lyrics on topics from love to loneliness to joy. Nine evaluators stationed in the audience filled out evaluation forms and privately gave students feedback on their songs after the performance.

After the showcase, audience member and songwriting student Bella Christie said, “It was awesome. Being a songwriting student, it made me so excited to
actually participate (in the showcase someday). Seeing the passion of the students on stage really helped me to be encouraged about sharing my music.

Karissa Juhas is a News Reporter. Visit her website at karissalynette.com.