Concert series has something for everyone

Story by Merisa Parson

In the 1982-83 Libery Concert Series many prominent artists in the scene of contemporary Christian music performed for LBC students,including Steve and Maria Gardner, Johnny Hall, Sandi Patti,the Sonlight Quartet and others Students were admitted free to the entire series

The Concert Serieswas officially opened at7:30 p.m on September 2 by the Southern gospel quartet, "The Cathedrals."

The quartet performed many oftheaudience's favorites, including several songs from its new album, entitled, "Something Special," produced by BillGaither

Steve and Maria Gardner, a husbandwife team, came to LBC on January 21, 1983 Traveling as a family,they shared a touching message through song and testimony of how God had molded and changed them through trials and tribulations, including the death of one of their twin daughters

Steve and Maria followed the Lord's leading early in life."Steve and I grew up in the Youth for Christ organization inChicago. We met while traveling with the Spurrlows," Maria said

"Singing together as a team didn't happen overnight.The Lord has gently pushed us into it. It'sthe same way with our marriage — and He has never faltered inhelping us discover a wonderful life together."

One LBC student who attended the concert said of their ministry, "I enjoy the testimonies as much as the music. They are able to reach you with the story of losing their daughter and how they had to learn to lean on Jesus and depend on Him for everything. I could really relate totheir family-oriented style of ministering."

Their performance included such songs as "Sonshiny Day," the old traditional favorites, "Holy, Holy, Holy," "In The Garden," and also a number featuring their little daughter, Amanda

The "Sonlight Quartet" appeared at LBC April 22, 1983 The group's clean, contemporary four-part harmony utilized a modern style with a definite quartet blend and sound, but not without much of a

Southern gospel flavor.

The group's ministry takes them all over the United States, but they return periodically to Lynchburg to perform. A new quartet with a few new faces returned, but the sound of the group was essentially the same, partly due to the pure clean tenor of Mark Gillming, the group's only original member One of the new faces in the group was that of Keith Settle, an LBC graduate (1979)

"Sonlight" was popular among LBC students One who attended the concert commented on the group's unique sound. "I liked their singing a lot Itwas very inspiring. I never really liked quartet singing much, but I like 'Sonlight's' sound. I'm getting to likequartets because of them. I also liked the band; the live music adds a lotto the performance. I prefer live music to sound tracks."

The group entertained not only in concert, but also in chapel, Sunday services (both on the mountain and at Thomas Road Baptist Church) and as the featured entertainment for the Junior-Senior Banquet

Singing such songs as "More Than Wonderful," "Please, Won't Somebody Love Me?" "Your FirstDay inHeaven," and "Jesus Isthe One," the quartet had a way of communicating to the audience with sincerity and hand-clapping enthusiasm a message of love and salvation

Most students agreed that the most enjoyed concert in the series was performed by Sandi Patti

Her first concert in the Lynchburg area was eagerly anticipated and warmly received by area residents and students The Liberty Multi-Purpose Center was packed with people despite a torrential thunderstorm raging outside Sandi took it in stride,joking about the weather

Sandi's high range, vocal control, and uptempo-modern numbers were factors that contributed to her wide popularity among LBC students

Establishing a one-on-one rapport with her audience and revealing her bubbly personality,she seemed likea personal friend rather than a distant performer. She relat- ed tochildhood incidents and experiences, tying them in with spiritual lessons with which everyone could identify.

"I greatly enjoyed Sandi Pattibecauseof the warmth of her personality and the way she entertained with humor as well asgetting across a spiritual message — like when she sang the different versions of 'Jesus Loves Me,' "one student said."She showed the humorous side of that great song, as well as the spiritual one."

Her performances ran the gamut ofupbeat songs, from "How Majestic is Your Name" and "It's Your Song, Lord" to "You're Such a Comfort to Me" and "Yes, God is Real"totheold-timefavoriteof little children everywhere, "Jesus Loves Me."

The capstone and finale of her performance, however, was her soul-stirringrenditionof "We Shall Behold Him," complete with sign language,sung as only Sandi can singit

April 22 brought the "Sonlight Quartet. " The group performed in chapel, at Thomas Road Baptist Church and at the Junior-Senior banquet. One of the new facesin thegroup was Keith Settle. LBC graduate

"The Cathedrals" brought Southern gospel quartet music as they came to open the LibertyConcert Series September 2 by singing many audience favor ites. including several songs from their new album.

Another long-standing favorite of Christian audiences everywhere isJohnny Hall, a regular in the concert series.

Hall's style ranges from hymns such as the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "How Great Thou Art"tomore contemporary numbers such as "Daystar."

"No one can deny the world of gospel music has changed drastically in recent years," Hall commented about hisrangeof styling "It seems now that everyday brings a raft of new songs, new writers, new artists. Personally I'm glad forthe continuing facelift.But no man ofwisdom can

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(continued from pg 45) chart a new course until he knows where he hasbeen and where he isat."

Where Hall came from is quite impres- sive Inhis early years, hewasin demand for youth rallies, Bible conferences, churches and revivals throughout the Midwest. In hisjunior andsenior years in high school,he was ascholarship student atthe National Music Camp at Interlochen, Mich.

Robbie Hinerperformed in the Concert SeriesOctober 16. During the concert, Hiner's six-month-old son Buck made one of his first public appearances.

From there, he obtained another scholarship to the University of Michigan and graduated with a degree invoice. He has not only been involved ingospel music but has also performed ina Metropolitan Opera Production.

"Hall's voice lends itself well toall his styles, butIthink Ilike theway he sings traditional numbers better than the way other artists perform," said one Hallfan who heard him inconcert "1 canappreciate the old hymns because some of them really touch my heart in a waythe newer, more contemporary songs can't."

Steve andMaria Gardner joinedtheseries January 21. One student said,"They reach you. Icould really relate totheir family-oriented style. "

Her first performance in Lynchburg. Sandi Patti came to Liberty April 2. Her songs included,"It's Your Song,Lord.""We ShallBehold Him" and "Yes, Godis Real."