The Central Methodist University Worship Band program is growing right along with the demand for the services of its talented students musicians.
Music Ministry Program Director Dr. Ryan McLouth said the interest in worship bands has been so high that there are now four bands.
“We’ve basically doubled in size since this time last year,” said McLouth.
According to McLouth, there are now 29 students participating in the program, leading music at CMU’s Chapel service each week and at area churches monthly. McLouth has also booked 30 community appearances for the fall semester, visiting nearby senior centers and nursing homes.
Central’s worship bands will be visiting Ashbury Heights, Perkins, the Fayette Caring Center, The Lodge, Braun Home, and the Fayette Senior Center, as well as a big performance in October at Centralia United Methodist Church, requested by the Centralia Area Ministerial Alliance.
Five of the student musicians are already employed part-time as worship leaders at area churches: Abbey Ruggles, a music ministry major from Fayette, at Hillside Baptist Church in Fayette and Community United Methodist Church in Columbia; Josiah Kee, a music ministry major from Franklin, at Faith Family Church in Fayette;
Joseph Mayo, a music ministry major from Lees Summit, at Hallsville United Methodist Church; Hayden Vaughn, a music ministry major from Springfield, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Moberly; and Mitchell Crofton, a music ministry major from Springfield, Ill., at Rocheport United Methodist Church.
Other members of the worship band are: Simeon Brown, a pre-major from Alton, Ill.; Cayla Carr, a music education major from Mount Sterling; Libby Cueni-Smith, an education and music education double major from Chillicothe; Rachel Dorman, a biology major from Jefferson City; Spencer Dry, a music major from Benton City;
Quiz Falls, an education and communication studies double major from Marshall; John Fender, a music ministry major from Columbia; Alec Fields, an education and music education major from Fulton; Addylyn Gabriel, an education and music education double major from Agency; Hannah Guilford, a music education major from Centralia; Cailyn Ham, a nursing major from Linneus;
Kevin Helmerichs, a music major from Lake Ozark; Crystal Kimmi, a music education major from Aurora; Alicia King, a music ministry major from Salisbury; Rachel Martin, a music education major from Fayette; Isaiah Renshaw, a religion major from Trenton; Madeline Ryffel, an education and early childhood education double major from St. Louis;
Connor Sanchegraw, an education and music double major from Columbia; Peter Smith, a music ministry major from Fayette; Chely Stratton, a music ministry major from Raymore; Brooke Striegel, a religion and church leadership major from Holts Summit; Enoch Turner, a religion and church leadership major from Prairie Home; Cemaria Woodard, a biology major from Saint Peters; and Andrew Wooldridge, a business major from Columbia.
The Central Methodist University Worship Band program is growing right along with the demand for the services of its talented students musicians.