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Students at Jubilee College of Music, JCM, recently held an online meeting with the dean of the school Dr. Merril Smoak. Though students were not able to take in-person classes for several quarters, the meeting united their hearts together once again as they came to share the word of God and receive encouragement.

Dr. Smoak opened the meeting by greeting students from Riverside, San Francisco, and St. Louis campuses. He gave a short lecture about music in the Old Testament. Reading three scriptures from 1 Samuel 10:5-7, 2 Kings 3:9-19, and 2 Chronicles 5:11:14, Dr. Smoak explained how music was used in worship.

Music is a way to connect the spirit of God, deliver a message from God, and give praise and thanks to the Lord. Looking at 120 music ministers in 2 Chronicles, students could imagine how big and significant music was in the worship service in that era. Dr. Smoak encouraged students to be filled by the Holy Spirit to develop our worship music in the Church today.

The gathering ended with Dr. Smoak’s closing prayer. JCM hopes to organize all-student meetings with the Dean regularly to better acquaint students and unite well.

The conducting class offered by Jubilee College of Music this Winter trains music students to be excellent choir directors.

Conducting is a body language that indicates musicians how to perform the music together. It is an essential technique for all music ministers because the choral ensemble has an important role in church worship.

The class so far focused on postures. The foundations of right and left hand techniques show consistent beating patterns in steady tempos, give clear cues for entry, phrasing, tempo changing, and dynamics. The study will extend to understanding music, preparing scores, leading rehearsals, and more.

Though students may be limited in applying their skills in actual ensemble rehearsals due to the pandemic, the use of digital media during class helps fill in the gap in practicing.

The graduation concert is the most important requirement of the Master of Arts in Music program at Jubilee College of Music (JCM). Graduate students typically spend the very last three quarters of their study preparing for it. In the Fall quarter, senior student Joy Song will be ready to present her graduation concert.

Joy shared the biblical inspiration of her “Trust God’s Love Firmly” concert, which is in Psalm 95:1-2, “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”

“In this worship concert, I wish to help believers of Jesus recall their journey of faith – the moment they met God for the first time and how amazing it was to return to God’s family. For those who have doubts and weaknesses in faith, they may be able to put their trust in God’s faithfulness once again if they recover this first heart,” Joy said.

As the Fall quarter had just started, Joy ran a rehearsal for the singers sectional. The one-hour practice covered several songs with melodies and harmonizing. In the following weeks, the guitarist and drummer will join to form the full worship band. The team will be practicing weekly under Joy’s direction until the graduation concert, which is scheduled to be held on October 11.

JCM prays for the success of Joy’s worship team and for the “Trust God’s Love Firmly” concert to be a great witness of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ.

Music students at Jubilee College of Music, JCM, gave a musical presentation on stage at Riverside campus to conclude the Spring quarter.

JCM’s Guitar Performance and Worship Leadership class conducted the performances as its final exam.

The presentation opened up with participant Jerry Park’s guitar solo followed by student performance selections of praise songs, guitar, and singing. After the individual performances, the band ensemble also presented two popular praise songs of “Who you say I am” by Hillsong and “Way Maker” by Sinach.

Course instructor Jerry Park shared that it was amazing that all the students could prepare well and performed on time despite the lack of time due to the lockdown situation. “I give thanks to God for all the achievement we could have in these classes,” said Park.

The presentations were performed with a strictly limited number of audience while applying safety precautions such as social distancing and mask requirements. There were no group singing or choirs but only individual performance, which was filmed for online broadcasting.

Jubilee College of Music (JCM) Annual Student Concert was successfully held at Riverside campus, sending heavenly tunes to everyone attending through the live online broadcast.

The student concert traditionally takes place every Spring Quarter for music students to present their year-round development in their speciality. Selected students participated in the performance this year. The concert adopted a classical format featuring different musical settings such as guitar solo, piano, piano solo, violin, as well as voice. The concert was broadcasted online so that everyone could enjoy it no matter where they were.

Due to the lockdown in the last two months, students have been practicing individually and virtually with their partners to rehearse for the performance. Nevertheless, they still found the event a valuable experience in enhancing their musical skills and growing into worship leaders.

“This is my first time participating in JCM’s annual concert,” said Jincheng Qiu, a first-year M.A. Music student. “I feel the inclusion and acceptance in Christ here at JCM, which is very different from my musical performing experience in the past. Though each person’s skill level, strength and style is different, we compliment each other in harmony to put together a great show. I believe it is how the body of Christ works.”

Another graduate student Di Yang shared, “I am really touched by today’s music. Music can open the door of human hearts. I hope we can use Christian music to outreach many people.”

JCM congratulates all the musicians performing in the concert for the successful and rewarding event.

Jubilee College of Music (JCM) student Shawn Pang presented his graduation concert featuring a full-band worship, solo performance, and chorus ensemble. The concert is a witness to God’s amazing grace in Shawn’s spiritual journey.

In the concert’s first session, Pang performed along with a keyboard player, guitarist, drummer, and bassist. The four song selection included: “What a friend we have in Jesus”, “Great you Lord”, “I yearn for the present”, and “Looking for a Savior.” Every heart in the audience was captured by the worship and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Pang later performed “When I cry” and “Alone,” which he described as “his prayer and his personal story with Jesus.” The solo was followed by a video of Shawn’s pastors who witnessed and testified to his spiritual growth. Next, the concert reached the climax as the audience joined in the worship and praise led by Pang. All the songs shared one core message: Jesus Christ our Savior has set us free.

The concert’s final session was a three-part chorus conducted by Pang, with piano and violin accompaniment. The two songs “Love Lifted Me” and “My Tribute” were dedicated to God as thanksgiving in returning all the glory to Him. JCM Professor Dr. Emily Ko concluded the concert with a prayer of blessing for Shawn and the congregation.

“The concert touched my heart. During the preparation and rehearsal, I encountered many difficulties, but the performance tonight went very smooth by God’s grace. Singing praise songs to God gives me joy, more than anything. Praise the Lord!” Pang said after the concert.