Senior chapel band members bonding at their retreat in Lake Arrowhead
When it comes to choosing worship teams, the Office of Chapel Programs is very selective in making sure that the APU community receives the best chapel experience possible. The Assistant Director of Chapel Programs Sean Beck and the Music Coordinator of Chapel Programs Kesha Nugent help decide who the chapel band members are and coordinate bands.
Senior music business major David Manuel plays the keyboard and is a vocalist in the senior chapel band. He maintains a busy schedule with practices on his own about eight times a week in addition to work with the whole band.
“It’s another responsibility I have that’s not fully school and not fully work,” Manuel said. “I have to figure out where to prioritize it in my life.”
According to Manuel, the band practices for a couple of hours every Wednesday night, and again Monday night before Senior Chapel starts. He said his favorite part about playing in the band it that he gets to play keyboard for his peers.
Senior music business major Gabrielle Carbajal said there is major competition every year during chapel band auditions. She has applied to be on a chapel band since her sophomore year, and finally received a spot on the senior chapel ensemble this year as a vocalist.
“The auditions vary every year we always have so many people come out and it saddens me that we have such limited spots,” Beck said.
Beck explained that the past spring there was 130-150 people who auditioned for the 2013-2014 academic year.
“Sean and Kesha have a big job to do each year as far as picking the teams,” Carbajal said.
Carbajal said being in a chapel band requires “a lot of focus,” which can be hard after a long day but is achievable through intentional prayer. She also described the responsibility that comes with being on a worship team.
“You’re not just a leader on stage, but all the time,” she said.
Carbajal takes much joy in being able to meet with a group of musicians on a regular basis to do what she loves.
“It’s fun to have that kind of release out of your day, and it’s one of my highlights of the week,” Carbajal said.
Senior commercial music major Abe Osorio is the worship leader for the senior chapel band and said the main responsibility of a chapel leader is to be a spiritual example.
“Sure, we have to pick out music, rehearse, plan multiple worship sets, communicate with IMT in regards to audio, lyrics and videos,” Osorio said. “But our main jobs are to be spiritual leaders.”
Osorio has been singing, playing drums and playing guitar for more than a decade and started leading worship at his church about four years ago. After playing drums for West Campus Chapel the past two years, this year he is leading for the first time.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to be able to lead my peers in worship,” Osorio said.
Beck and Nugent and the rest of the Chapel Programs Office pray over the chapel teams constantly.
“It’s like you’re a part of a big family,” Osorio said.
According to Osorio, the process of joining a worship team is quite extensive. Candidates are asked questions regarding their experience playing with worship teams, playing their instrument, why they want to be a part of the team, what their philosophy on worship is and several other queries.Osorio said the questions are meant to make them evaluate and solidify reasons for joining.
“It can be challenging at times,” Osorio said. “I have to constantly make sure that my heart is in the right place when we’re going to lead worship.”
As leaders, their jobs are to guide the community to a place of authentic worship.
“My wholehearted desire is for people to truly connect with God; it’s amazing to be in a room with different people because it’s a new opportunity to love someone that is not like yourself,” Osorio said. “With that, I really wish people could see the work that chapel programs puts in behind the scenes to make our chapels the best they can be.”