Spring Choral Concert

By Alexandra Gomez

On Friday, May 13 CCA presented the “Spring Chorus Concert”, an evening of worship and music that featured our middle and high school choruses showcased original work by high school Endorsement students. Twenty-six songs were performed, including the songs of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice in “Disney Dazzle,” an arrangement of nine Disney favorites performed by the middle school chorus and dancers. Other performances included various solo pieces, ACSI Superior-rated songs, and four worship songs performed with the worship band made up of Joey Frevola, Stephen Peters, Josh Agarth, L.J. Dutton, and Taylor Hecocks.

In addition to the musical items, “Alive,” a student film written, directed, and edited by Jacob Kaufman was also presented. “Alive” was awarded “Best Film” and “Best Director” in the CCA 2010 Film Festival, and second place in the Student Film category at the Palm Beach International Film Festival earlier this year.

“I think the concert was a huge success,” says Sheri Hecocks. “The students were able to use their gifts and talents to not only entertain the audience, but to glorify God.”

The audience responded with thunderous applause and standing ovations as the concert closed with the four worship songs. “Any time we are able to lead the people back to Jesus we have done what He has asked us to do,” she said.

Spring Band Concert

by Austin McBride

This past May 17, in the Calvary Chapel theatre, CCA showcased the middle and high school Spring Band Concert. There were multiple performances including solos, ensembles, and full band pieces.

The highlights of the night were “Bashin’,” a high school percussion ensemble by Chris Crockerell, “Cliffs of Doves,” an electric guitar solo by Eric Johnson and played by Joey Frevola; as well as “Leave That Thing Alone,” an electric guitar and bass duet by Rush and played by Joey and Jon Frevola, “Venice” by Chris Botti and played by David Salvatelli on trumpet, Mike Havens on electric guitar. And finally, “Furioso and Valse in D Minor,” a marimba solo by Earl Hatch, played by Taylor Hecocks.

He became a musician like his father, who taught him how to play the piano, read and write music, and also encouraged him to sing in the church choir.  Even after leaving Jamaica, when he was eleven years old, moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and eventually getting into high school, 
Mr. McCaw never stopped playing his music.  Moms at his high school began to approach him, asking me if he would teach their little kids piano. And that’s when he realized that he wanted to become a music teacher.

“At first, it was more out of an obligation, but then I found that I really liked teaching,” said 
Mr. McCaw. “I love to be able to help someone else learn something… to play an instrument, or to sing.”

With all the musical influence he had as a child, and the encouragement he received from parents whose kids were learning under his guidance, there was a still part of him who doubted whether that was his key vocation.

“I honestly didn’t know if I wanted to make a career out of music. So I thought of other things like 
Exercise Science and Wellness,” said Mr. McCaw. “Music is a challenging career to pursue, but then I felt like that was what God was calling me to do.”

After graduating high school, Mr. McCaw started attending Florida Atlantic University, where he stayed true to his passion and completed his Bachelor of Arts.

It doesn’t take a scientist to see that Mr. McCaw loves what he does.  But like any other art, music,  and in this case, chorus, has its challenges. Realizing that music is a powerful tool, Mr. McCaw picks the repertoire with care, making sure it is not only appropriate, but one that teaches different elements and imparts a love of music. Even on his most hard school day, his favorite thing about being a chorus teacher is, “experiencing the finished product of a song that both the students and I love and enjoy. Especially when we can sing it together to God.”

There are different reasons why artists create lyrics in the way that they do, and for Charlie there’s only one way. His inspiration, he says, comes from the Word of God, and by capturing the essence of a word and then building that into a song that hopefully impacts with a simple message.

During his concerts, the energetic, easy going worship leader speaks truths to generations stating, “Psalms 27:4(NIV) reads, ‘One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.’ This applies both to our current lives and to our futures!”

Charlie’s mission for him and his band is to reach out to the broken and unsaved with music that hopefully appeals to the ears of non-Christians. The band tours various states and even travels out of the country periodically on their tours, which last for about ten spirit-filled days. The concert held at the Calvary Chapel Theatre last Friday was a wonderful time of worship, tears, laughter, music, and fellowship.  For those who were able to attend, they walked away with an incredible sense that God was truly present that night. “He is a truly an anointed man,” said Suzi Zweiban of Calvary Chapel. “God speaks through his gift of music.”

Pray for Charlie and the band members, wives, and children as they continually follow God’s calling on their lives and embrace opportunities to share His love through music.

Psalms 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.”