Students creatively showcased their passions and musicality through the Songwriter Café in the LaHaye Event Space. The event featured a variety of original songs with student performances in the School of Music on Tuesday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m.
Every semester, students studying songwriting within the Commercial Music major each write an original song. The top songs are selected to be performed for a live audience at the Songwriter Café.
This semester, songwriting students picked two other people to co-write their songs. Students also chose a vocalist to sing their song at the café.
Student singers and instrumentalists performed a wide variety of songs in multiple genres with themes ranging from heartbreak to worship. The opening performance was titled “Hallelujah Song,” written by sophomores Allie Ware, Sara Beard and Maya Sanders. All three artists performed at the event.
“It was such a fun experience and such a learning experience,” Beard said. “It was so fun getting to meet everyone — meeting the songwriting majors and performing our own song.”
Beard said she aspires to do music missions overseas and would love to teach music or be a worship pastor in the future.
The audience was filled with students, family members and friends supporting the performers. Senior Elizabeth Capes showed her support in the audience.
“I came out here to support because my roommate was playing keys and also cowrote one of the songs,” Capes said.
Another student, freshman Emma Palumbo, came to the event to enjoy the music and support her friends studying in the School of Music.
“I love the School of Music,” Palumbo said. “I think there are so many wonderful artists. I’ve actually made a lot of friends at the School of Music, so I just get to come and enjoy music and support them.”
Another original song performed at the café was titled “Lift Your Name,” written by sophomore Ashlyn Pitcher, along with student musicians senior Cristalle Canino and sophomore Krysta Klodt.
“We wanted to convey the confidence that we have in the Lord, and just who he is, and how he fights our battles,” Pitcher said.
Pitcher said the idea for this song came from a Bible story in the Old Testament where the Israelites witnessed God defeating their enemies — and all they had to do was lift his name.
After the last act, Chair of the Department of Commercial Music and Professor of Music and Worship, David Hahn, gave closing remarks and a prayer to conclude the event.
“It’s just so special we get to be here at this point, and each semester we get to see their growth,” Hahn said in his closing remarks.
Tickets to future Songwriter Café events can be purchased at www.liberty.edu/tickets.
To stay updated on events within the School of Music, visit https://www.liberty.edu/music/events/.
Giroux is a feature reporter for the Liberty Champion.