Prairie’s Annual Music and Worship Students Showcase was held in Kirk Chapel on April 27, 2023. This features the students completing their studies in songwriting and the process of producing an EP, performing and marketing their product.
To open the program, Mark Jonah, Academic Dean and Program Director of the Music and Worship Arts at Prairie, introduced Denis Baptista Professor of Song Writing.
He also introduced three graduates of the Song Writing Course and brought the audience up to date as to where their careers had taken them.
Zac Parikinson, Kearstin Bailey, and Danae Kimpinski each brought one of their hits to the stage.
Then it was to this year’s graduates (and the “studio band”) that presented selections from their EP.
Devon Leblue has his EP titled “Instead I’m Here”. It has on it: “Help You Down”. “Tell Me Why”, “Ghost”, ”After the Show”, and “Your Faith”.
Mac Braaksma’s EP is “Innocent” and has “Excuse Me”, “Two Way Mirror”, “Someone’s Little Girl”, “Angel Dancer”, and “Goodbye Joe”.
Rebekah Brisbin’s EP “Pathways” included: “Empty”, “Waiting for Life to Begin”, “Follow Me”, “By Faith, Say Yes”, “The Gift” and her arrangement of “He Leadeth Me”.
A ”door prize” was drawn for a “Bundle, including the three Eps and a sampler.
A reception in the Maxwell Centre followed where the artists had their EPs (and other merchandise) on hand to sell.
Students are encouraged to “find their own voice” and do not produce “cookie cutter” “all sound the same” music, not even on their own EPs.
Each graduate receives a framed copy of their EP.
Recognition was also given to several others who were involved with the various aspects that brought the finished product to completion.
Mark Troyer and Stephen Rendall were given special mention with a plaque.
