Liberty University’s rich musical heritage was on display during the School of Music’s Celebrating 50 Years of Music concert on the Friday night of Homecoming.
The free concert was held in the Thomas Road Baptist Church sanctuary and was hosted by contemporary Christian recording artist Meredith Andrews (’05) and nationally known gospel singer and former Gaither Vocal Band member Guy Penrod (’85).
Concert performers included former Gaither Vocal Band singer and comedian Mark Lowry (’80), former Sounds of Liberty singer and recording artist Jody McBrayer, drummer Elizabeth Chan (’13), and former campus worship leader Justin Kintzel (’09), among many others who have had prominent careers in the music industry. The concert also featured reunion groups with former members of the Sounds of Liberty, LU Praise, and Campus Band.
Meredith Andrews was one of the hosts for the Homecoming Concert.
Music alumni from throughout the decades enjoyed the opportunity to rejoice in what the Lord has done at Liberty over 50 years.
“Let’s let the theme of love hang over this entire evening because that is what the founder of this school (Jerry Falwell Sr.) sowed into every one of us on this platform, and I’m sure into everyone in this room to some extent,” Penrod said. “This is a product of vision. And isn’t that a beautiful image to see 50 years of it here tonight?” he added.
Much of the night was spent in praise and worship, as the audience was asked to join the performers in song. Guests were treated to varying styles of music, from contemporary Christian to worship, gospel, and even some hip-hop with Humble Tip (Jason Lewis, ’05, ’10).
Between songs, video interviews were shown featuring music faculty, alumni, and others who have been connected to Liberty’s music ministry teams in the last 50 years. They paid tribute to those who built the music program. Other videos helped guests reflect on the past by showing photos and footage of music teams over the years.
Video greetings were also played from artists who could not be present in person, including Toby McKeehan (TobyMac, ’88) and Michael Tait (’89), who formed DC Talk while at Liberty, and Tait’s sister, gospel singer Lynda
Tait Randle (’89).
“(At Liberty) I learned the Word of God and I learned how to apply it to my life, and it’s been the foundation for everything I’ve done,” TobyMac said.
Andrews said that the spirit of the Lord, which has been present on Liberty’s campus throughout the university’s history, is still alive and well today.
“One of the things that struck me and has stayed with me from when I was a student and was with the (Campus) Band was how hungry the students were for the presence of God,” she said. “They weren’t there for a show. … I got to lead worship this past Wednesday at Campus Community and it was the exact same thing.”
“Wow, what a night,” Liberty School of Music Dean Dr. Stephen Müller said. “It was great to see Liberty alumni and friends gather to celebrate what God has done. I am again reminded that the same God Who did this is the One doing it now and Who will keep on doing it as we continue to Train Champions for Christ.”
Before closing in prayer, Campus Pastor Jonathan Falwell expressed his appreciation to the alumni, who are prime examples of his father’s vision being fulfilled.
“All I could think about was I wish my dad could’ve seen this,” Falwell said. “And then it hit me that he saw this before any of us did. … May Liberty University always be a place that stands on the truth of the Word of God and preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way.”
