For the first time in Westminster’s history, the Chapel band has nine instruments on stage. The new instruments that are included in the band are the trumpet, played by Aaron Krumseig, senior, the saxophone played by Matt Baldwin, junior, and the banjo played by Josh Flori, junior. The new vocalists in the band are Carolyn Bonacquisti, senior, Jacob Dahl, senior, and Taylor Hughes, sophomore, with returning guitarist Catherine Sinclair, senior also singing. Also returning is Tom Winter on the electric violin. The additional newcomers Matt Sugg, junior, on drums, Olivia Atkinson, senior, playing keyboards, and Andy Munoz, sophomore, on guitar, complete the band.
While the chapel band takes charge of the music component, the Student Spiritual Life Team has the responsibility of overseeing the spiritual climate of chapel. The SSLT sets the theme for chapel throughout the year, and figures out plans such as what songs should be performed for certain lessons in chapel.
“Our goal is to be invisible. Sure we love to play music and love being together, but we are not the focal point,” said Hughes. The Chapel band’s goal is to open the door to worship and give everyone in the room the opportunity to worship God wholeheartedly.
When the first note is played, energy from the band explodes over the student body and faculty. It is not hard to find smiles in the crowd every Wednesday when music bounces off the walls of the gym.
“It is exciting to be a part of worship with all the happy people singing. It makes me excited to worship,” said Melissa Knappenburger, sophomore.
“Spending time with incredible people, playing and singing to music I love, and giving people the free opportunity to praise Christ; can it get any better?” said Josh Flori, junior.
“We all were given talents, and God called us to use them to lead our peers and authority of the school. It is a truly amazing feeling to be a part of that,” said Taylor Hughes, sophomore.