PROTÉGÉ AND BIGGEST FAN DAVE PEDDE REFLECTS ON LARRY BACH’S LEGACY By Nancy Zugschwert, ’19 M.A.
Dave Pedde ’85, D.W.S., came to North Central Bible College in 1982, at the start of Larry Bach’s second year on faculty. Pedde was a slightly older student who loved music but had no formal training and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Music. Pedde recalled, “I couldn’t read a note when I came to North Central, and they let me in by probation—Joanne Kersten was the department chair then—because they thought I might have some talent and potential.” It appears they were right. After graduating in 1985 with a degree in Sacred Music, Pedde served as a church worship leader for seven years before returning to North Central to teach for a one-year term while Larry Bach was on sabbatical. That term turned into 18 years as Composer in Residence and Assistant Professor of Music. While on faculty at NCU, Pedde earned his master’s degree in Worship Arts and later his Doctor of Worship Arts from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Pedde feels privileged to know Larry Bach as his professor and later as mentor, colleague, and friend. “I was there at the beginning of Larry’s years there and learned a lot from him,” Pedde reflected. “I think he’s the finest conductor I’ve ever worked with. I learned about musical excellence and directing from him!” To Pedde, Bach’s impact goes far beyond music. “Larry’s a visionary,” Pedde said. “He’s a schemer and dreamer who always has big ideas.” One big idea that came to fruition during the years Pedde and Bach worked together was a focus on original music. “We had never had any original recordings at North Central,” Pedde said, noting that between One Accord
and Worship Live recordings during his 18-year season on faculty, North Central recorded nearly 180 original songs. It was Bach’s idea to form One Accord, a music ensemble that led worship on campus and became a mainstay at camps, conventions, and churches across the country. Bach and Pedde also formed Worship Live, which became the driving force for worship in daily chapel and today continues the tradition of creating original music and leading worship beyond NCU. Pedde is deeply appreciative of Bach’s leadership and impact on thousands of students and colleagues over the years. “Larry gave us a lot,” Pedde said. “I find myself talking about him all the time. I don’t think there’s ever been a moment for the last 40 years that Larry wasn’t thinking about North Central.” Beyond the area of fine arts, Pedde pointed out that Larry Bach has personally helped raise millions of dollars for the university—yet another piece of Bach’s influence. Pedde can’t imagine North Central or his own life without Bach in the picture. Legacy is a big word, but Pedde has no problem ascribing it to Bach. “So much of the DNA of North Central has Larry Bach on it,” Pedde reflected. “But when I think of how many people are out there in ministry and music who had Larry as part of their life, I believe the lasting legacy of Larry Bach is people.” After leaving North Central, Pedde founded Sanctus School for Worshippers in Canada and has since continued in higher education. He has been the Director of the Center for Worship Arts at Bluefield College (Virginia) since 2018. He will soon be moving to Washington to serve as Associate Professor of Worship and Music at Northwest University. Spring 2022 | 25
