Stained Glass Story released its second album in March.
Evangel University’s touring worship band, Stained Glass Story, released its second album on March 12, 2013.
Titled “Turn Your Eyes,” the album features modern arrangements of classic hymns such as “How Deep the Father’s Love” and “Jesus Paid it All,” as well as renditions of contemporary worship songs such as “Great I Am” and “Beautiful Things.”
Jason Salazar, assistant professor of music and director of Stained Glass Story, says the album was recorded during a live concert last November, and the group has been working on editing since then.
Salazar says while the songs were written by other artists, the band has made its own arrangements of each one.
“We try to always put our own spin on them,” he says. “I think the album we just recorded reflected that. There are a lot of songs that people are going to know, but we try to do them a little bit different.”
The members of Stained Glass Story at a national Assemblies of God youth event in February. From left: Caleb Hawkins, Michael Bremer, Nick Bearden, Joel Harrison, Heath Adamson (national youth director for the AG), Dylan Nieman, Jason Salazar (faculty director).Salazar says the band, which formed three years ago, has two purposes, the first to promote Evangel University as it performs around the nation.
“We’re trying to hit the youth events,” he says. “We’re trying to play in front of potential Evangel kids.”
He says another important purpose of Stained Glass Story is to give the band members ministry experience.
“Most of the guys that are in the group now aspire to be worship leaders or musicians in those kind of venues,” Salazar says, “so it gives them great experience. “
The band has played at several events this year, including a nine-day tour of Colorado over Spring Break. Salazar says the band is lined up to play at this year’s National Fine Arts Festival in Orlando, Florida.
The group, which currently consists of five male members, holds auditions for open spots at the beginning of each school year.
Salazar says the experience working with the band members is different than the teacher-student relationship he has during the school day. “Whether it’s a recording or a practice or a tour or a concert, I feel like more of a mentor in that role where I try to take opportunities for teaching,” he says.
Along with touring, the band is already working on its next album, which will contain all original songs written by the band’s members. Salazar says while the CD is still in its infancy, the band hopes to have a few songs finished by the end of the semester and possibly release an EP.
Hard copies of “Turn Your Eyes” are available at Evangel through the Music Department (417) 865-2811 ext. 7212, or the album can be purchased digitally through iTunes and Amazon. Salazar says the songs are also available for streaming through Spotify and I-Heart Radio and will soon be on Pandora and Rhapsody.
— By Ian Richardson, a junior from Afton, IowaEvangel Consolidation Update
Evangel University is pleased to anticipate its consolidation with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and Central Bible College beginning with the fall 2013 semester, pending approval of accrediting bodies. For information on the consolidation progress, please visit http://ag.org/top/consolidation/
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