Resonate choir, the high school choir, practices in Potter Auditorium in Raley Chapel before their performance Sat., June 28.
SHAWNEE—Resonate, for high school students, and Resound, its junior high counterpart, are camps dedicated to training worship leaders. Resonate took place June 23–28, with Resound held June 27-28, both at Oklahoma Baptist University.
/// Resonate
In its fifth year, 79 students attended Resonate. High school students participated in one of two large group sessions, choir or orchestra, and one of 12 small breakout sessions: Drama, Sound & Media Technology, Drums/Percussion, Stomp, Praise Band, Sign Language, Bass Guitar, Beginning Guitar, Intermediate Guitar, Voice, Keyboard/Piano and Song Writing.
Several worship leaders from across the state volunteered their time to train the students during the week, including Bill Ballinger, Dr. Ken Gabiesle, Keith Haygood, Randy Holt, Mary Holt and Aaron Robertson.
“It’s amazing how kids can come in from all over the state and put together the music they do in such a short time,” Ballinger said. “We had great directors and leadership, but most of all, dedicated students serious about their relationship with the Lord and their desire to improve their leading and worship skills. The camp pastor was right on target when he said it is not about the “art” of worship, but about the HEART of worship. It was a blessing to be a part of the camp.”
Resound choir, composed of junior high students, quickly learned their performance pieces with one full day of practice before their performance.
One student who learned about the art of worship was Shaun Beck, a graduated senior and member of Midwest City, Meadowood. This year marked his fourth consecutive year to attend Resonate.
“My favorite thing about Resonate is that it is such a concentrated group of Christ followers, and such a concentrated amount of worship, and it is so amazing to see what God does through that music and everything else we do during the week,” Beck said.
This year, Beck participated in the song writing class. He was excited that it could be something he uses in the future.
“I am going to (attend) the Academy of Contemporary Music in Oklahoma City,” Beck said. “I am going to be learning how to write songs, record them and hopefully perform them in front of people. It would be awesome to get to write and produce some of my own music.”
Beck hopes to graduate as the first Christian artist from the Academy of Contemporary Music.
/// Resound
This was the first year for the junior high camp, Resound. Twenty-four students participated in one large choir group and learned their songs in a day and a half.
Randy Lind, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) worship and music specialist, served as Resound camp director.
“People of every age love music, and junior high students are no exception,” Lind said. “They were able to sing songs that glorified God and now they know more about music and the story behind the music.
“We began Resound with the idea of continuing to develop students who we pray will ultimately be involved in our churches as worshippers, worship leaders, or in whatever capacity God has available for them. “
A soon-to-be eighth grader, Joshua Neace from Lawton, Cameron, attended Resound this year.
“(I can already tell this) is a great camp, (with) very strong people who believe in Christ,” Neace said. “It is very fun.”
Practicing with the junior high choir, Neace learned several new songs.
“One of the songs called ‘Hallelujah,’ is really heart touching,” Neace said.
/// Worship
One of the goals for both camps is not only to improve the talents of each student, but also to teach them about worship.
Autumn, a soon-to-be high school junior, learned new things about worship through Resonate.
“I learned that worship has to both start and end with God, and God has to be the center, or else it means nothing,” she said.
Beck also explained what the camp has taught him about worship.
“It doesn’t matter what the style of music is, (it is about) where your heart is, that’s what worship is,” Beck said. “Where your heart is going, if that is where God wants it to go, then you know you’re in the right spot.”
