Central Methodist University’s new Praise Ensembles, a staple of the weekly Chapel activities in Linn Memorial United Methodist Church, are beginning to take their places as leaders in faith for the campus community. There will be four ensembles this year, selected by David Witter, director of music ministry education and assistant professor of music.
This year’s Black ensemble is led by Joey Mayo of Lee’s Summit, Mo., on guitar and vocals. Making up the rest of the ensemble will be Crystal Kimmi (Aurora, Mo.) on percussion and vocals, Paul Harrison (Huntsville, Mo.) on bass, Elyse Travis (Golden, Ill.) on keyboard, Mason Mitchell (Lake Saint Louis, Mo.) on guitar and vocals, Ryanne Burks (Springfield, Mo.) on vocals, Nathan Wren (Ballwin, Mo.) on vocals, and Rowan Collom (Benton, Mo.) on guitar and vocals.
For the Yellow ensemble, Kennedy Walker of Boonville, Mo. serves as the leader, as well as participating on guitar and vocals. The rest of the Yellow band is made up by Tyrone Harris (Dixon, Mo.) on percussion, Grady Baker (Boonville, Mo.) on bass and vocals, Addy Gabriel (Agency, Mo.) on keyboard and vocals, Hunter Hanson (Soldotna, Alaska) on guitar and vocals, Vicente Roberts (Fayette, Mo.) on vocals, and Chely Stratton (Raymore, Mo.) on vocals.
The Green ensemble will be co-led by Jack Fender of Columbia, Mo. on guitar, keyboard, and vocals, as well as Mitchell Crofton of Springfield, Ill. on guitar, keyboard, and vocals. Crofton is also this year’s Music Ministry Fellow. Joining them in the ensemble will be Austin Holcomb (Fulton, Mo.) on percussion, Emilee Nelsen (Troy, Mo.) on bass and vocals, Ross Nelson (Winston, Mo.) on guitar and vocals, Shelly Swink (Dixon, Mo.) on vocals, and Molly Reynolds (Glasgow, Mo.) on vocals.
Finally, the Purple ensemble is helmed by Mikayla Kinkead of Fredericktown, Mo. on keyboard and vocals. Also in Purple are Simeon Brown (Alton, Mo.) on percussion, Connor Sanchegraw (Columbia, Mo.) on bass, Wesley Spargo (Springfield, Mo.) on keyboard, Duke Newsted (Centralia, Mo.) on guitar and keyboard, Spencer Dry (Benton City, Mo.) on guitar, Madeline Ryffel (St. Louis, Mo.) on vocals, and Lilly Powell (Sikeston, Mo.) on vocals and cello.
The Praise Ensembles can be heard every week at Chapel, on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.