Students’ All-State music echoes through 3 decades

Posted: 7/21/06

Students’ All-State music echoes through 3 decades

By Laura Frase

Communications Intern

Past and present members of the Texas Baptist All-State Choir and Band recently united in one key—their everlasting love for music and God.

The choir and band represent the best of the best among Texas Baptist student musicians. Audition tapes arrived from more than 80 churches this year, with only 136 students chosen to represent the prestigious group.

This year marked the choir’s 30th anniversary. The choir opened new doors for high schoolers, allowing students from ninth through 12th grades to travel to Mexico, Canada and across the United States to sing with Texas Christians their own age.

“The investment of time, energy and resources is an investment that will pay huge dividends as our students become the next leaders in our churches, homes and communities,” predicted Tim Studstill, who leads the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ music and worship efforts. “Throughout the 30-year history of Texas Baptist All-State, our alumni have become pastors, music ministers, education ministers, teachers, college professors and church leaders who continue to serve faithfully in churches throughout Texas and the world.”

The BGCT sponsors the All-State Choir and Band.

Robert Tucker, dean of music and fine arts at Howard Payne University, was part of the original choir and returned to direct the Texas Baptist All-State Band for the fourth time during the celebration.

Since his high school days, Tucker also has been a sponsor for the choir.

He remained involved because participating in the choir “played a vital role in who I ultimately be-came,” he explained.

Because of original All-State Choir Director Loyd Hawthorne’s influence, Tucker chose to attend Hardin-Simmons University and then found himself teaching at a Baptist school.

“The Lord has plans for all of us, so what we do when we are young builds on what we do with our careers,” he said.

Amy Samuel believes the two years she was involved in the choir influenced her decision to become the children’s music coordinator at First Baptist Church in McKinney.

“Choir definitely had an impact, and it was an experience that I was able to pull from and kind of remember the things that took place,” she said.

Steve Sullivan of First Baptist Church in Pittsburg already knew he wanted to be a minister of music before he joined the choir, but he sees the influence it can have on future decisions.

“It does affect kids’ lives,” he said. “I know that from kids’ testimonies. They’ve chosen All-State Choir over other camps. That says we’re doing something right.”

Many churches don’t have youth choirs, so talented students can miss out on developing their gifts in a religious atmosphere, Sullivan said. All-State Choir changes that by enabling students to take back everything they learn to their home churches and schools, he added.

Many alumni have followed music for their careers and become involved with churches. Now, it’s their turn to give the same encouragement to youth their youth ministers and ministers of music gave to them.

Sullivan has encouraged students to participate since he joined a church staff. This year, 11 students from his church took part in the choir and band. It’s the biggest group the church has taken.

Eddie Brown, minister of music at Calvary Baptist Church in Lufkin, took six students from his church, plus two of his children.

“That’s exciting that I can offer them that same growth and Christian experience in music that I got,” Brown said.

Alumni look forward to the future decisions of students who participate in the All-State program.

“The students who are in it today, who knows?” Tucker said. “One of them may end up directing the band and choir some day. … It’s exciting to think about.”

Alumni agree on the importance music plays in spiritual growth.

“Music is such a vital ingredient in worship and ministry,” Tucker said.