The Gaither Vocal Band Goes to College

On Saturday evening, October 2, Bill & Gloria and the Gaither Vocal Band joined forces with Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, for an evening of music and worship second to none.  As part of the school’s annual Homecoming celebration, this unique concert event filled the university’s new 3800-seat Chapel-Auditorium to capacity.

The Gaither Vocal Band and special guests Gordon Mote and Buddy Greene were joined by an incredible mass choir of Indiana Wesleyan University students, led by Dr. Todd Guy, as well as a university string quartet and a brass ensemble, plus a special performance by a male quartet of university students called Master’s Praise.

The concert combined the unique strengths of the university’s top-notch music department with the Gaither Vocal Band’s repertoire to create breathtaking renditions of such favorites as “Glorious Impossible,” “Worthy, The Lamb,” “Let Freedom Ring,” “He’s Alive” and “All In All” to name just a few. The musical selections truly spanned the spectrum and truly set the tone for worship and for celebrating a God of love, forgiveness and immense hope.

IWU’s president, Dr. Henry Smith, offered greetings after the intermission and recalled a group with which he sang during his own college years, performing Gaither-penned classics such as “He Touched Me” years ago. He pointed out that this night had been a dream of his for many years, and he even gave Bill a bit of good-humored ribbing about the university’s invitations getting turned down for 10 years before this concert finally became a reality. After a good laugh, Mark Lowry blurted out (as he did often throughout the evening), “We got busted!”

But, in truth, as the evening unfolded and the music resounded deeply with every heart in the building, it was clear that this evening was not merely the result of good planning by the university, or the Gaither organization, or anyone else. This was a divine appointment. Seasoned artists were refreshed by young, vibrant talent…student musicians were encouraged by artists at the top of their field…and the audience received the double blessing of witnessing the whole thing!

Bill and the rest of the artists drove out of Marion, Indiana, Saturday night beaming, energized by the vibrancy of this campus and moved by the spirit of IWU’s leadership and student body.  It was a night that no one in attendances will soon forget.

Click here for photos of the Gaither Vocal Band’s evening at Indiana Wesleyan University.

For more information on Indiana Wesleyan University.