Music students perform with award-winning artists Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall during spring showcase

On Tuesday night, students from Liberty University School of Music’s commercial music program performed a variety of originals and covers for the Spring Commercial Music Showcase in the Center for Music and the Worship Arts, Concert Hall, displaying months of hard work and talent. At the end of the show, the students were joined by Grammy and Dove award-winning artists Guy Penrod (’85) and Marshall Hall, former members of the Gaither Vocal Band, for a powerful finale.

Each year, students selected for the showcase go through an audition process where faculty evaluate them on technical excellence, delivery, and stage presence. Out of the 37 students who applied and auditioned this year, 17 were featured in the showcase.

Every performance was preceded by a video testimonial from the student on what the song means to them. With a mix of both secular and Christian songs, the students discussed how their song choice reflects biblical values and beliefs.

Emma Jordan Gutierrez, a graduate student studying music and worship with a focus on commercial music performance, opened the night with a powerful and energetic cover of “Born Again” by Bill Gaither.

“We’re able to take the original song and put our own little twists and flares into it, which is really great,” Gutierrez said before the show.

Gutierrez said she is open to wherever God leads her in her music career but that opportunities like the Commercial Music Showcase have prepared her for a calling in music ministry.

“Whatever platform I’m on, whatever worship song I’m singing, those are the people who I get to lead in worship and also tell the Gospel to through song. It’s just an absolute blessing, and Liberty giving us this experience to do this is unlike any other.”

The night was filled with emotional ballads and upbeat pieces, including a solo electric guitar performance by junior Colby Bennett. The showcase featured four originals, including a rap by junior Noah Zelem titled “Waste No Time” that had the audience on their feet throughout the whole song. Junior Ava Piland and senior Jonah Barrow also performed their rendition of “The Old Rugged Cross,” which was released on streaming platforms last week.

Near the end of the show, recording, engineering, and producing student Zach Penrod, who followed in his father’s footsteps to Liberty, was joined by three of his friends for the Penrod Vocal Band, singing the Gaither original, “Lovin’ Life.”  His father, Guy Penrod, performed for 14 years with the Gaither Vocal Band, in addition to having a chart-topping solo career.

“The song creates this kind of joy, like ‘You can’t tell me what to do because I know what the Lord did for me. And I’m loving life, and no one can tell me that I can’t,’” Zach Penrod said before the show. “My dad sang it for many years with (the Gaither Vocal Band), and I decided it’s my last year to do a showcase, so I might as well go out with a bang.”

During the last two songs, “Give it Away” and “Because He Lives,” all performers took the stage and were joined by Guy Penrod and Hall for a compelling and dynamic finale that left the audience standing in applause.

Zach Penrod, who sang next to his father, noted he hadn’t performed alongside him since he was a child.

“It’s a rush, getting to be up there with professionals. It’s been really cool to have that experience with him,” he said.

Zach Penrod hopes to own his own recording studio one day, but he’s committed to following wherever the Lord leads. He said performing at Liberty has helped instill in him a missional mindset as he embarks on his career.

“I feel like music needs to be redirected in general because there’s just so much bad music out there that we need to influence the people who are creating music to bring it back to the Lord and bring it back to the One who created music,” he said.

In addition to performing in the showcase, Guy Penrod and Hall taught masterclasses at the Center for Music and the Worship Arts on Monday and Tuesday. Guy Penrod worked with School of Music students in a class taught by Professor and Coordinator of Commercial Music Dr. Mindy Damon, during which he emphasized the importance of writing music that proclaims the victory of Christ.

Hall shared insights from his extensive career as an award-winning studio vocalist and artist during a class with Associate Professor of Music Recording & Production Nathan Zwald. He focused on vocal performance, studio workflow, and capturing emotionally compelling recordings.

Hall was part of the Gaither Vocal Band from 2004-09 and joined the band again for tours in 2010 and 2013. He has since continued creating music as a solo artist and a songwriter and worship leader with Willow Worship.

Both Guy Penrod and Hall sat in on a dress rehearsal for the showcase on Monday, giving each performer feedback and tips.

Damon said that while both guests sing with power and agility, it is their commitment to the Word of God that stands out. She said exposure to industry professionals who put Jesus first is paramount at the School of Music.

“It is not enough to bring in industry professionals; any university can do that. What we want to do in the commercial music department here at Liberty is to bring in industry professionals who are bold in their faith and unapologetic in their proclamation of truth.”