2008 Woodie Awards
Upton to bring Christian voice to CMU
By: Frank Eslinger
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News
Campus will get spiritual Thursday when contemporary Christian musician Jason Upton takes the stage in Finch Fieldhouse.
Upton, 34, is an award-winning vocal talent who has released 10 albums. He is an independent worship leader with a large underground following, and has been considered unorthodox by some for his critical nature toward mainstream Christianity.
Tickets for the performance are available at the CMU Box Office in the Bovee University Center. The tickets will be sold by donation, meaning attendees can donate as much or as little as they like for a ticket. The performance starts at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m.
"We're expecting a lot of people," said Christa Smalligan, Fremont senior and representative from the CMU Program Board. "He's a different genre of music than we usually bring. Christian artists are not represented here very often."
While providing some of the monetary support, Smalligan said Program Board also is supplying volunteers to help coordinate the event.
She said if the concert is successful, they would consider bringing more Christian artists.
On The Fly Productions, Program Board, the Office for Institutional Diversity and an assortment of local Christian fellowships brought Upton.
"We're just one of many," said Dani Hiar, On The Fly staff adviser. "We were approached to help. We put a lot into setting it up and we will be providing a lot of volunteers."
Hiar said most of the groups helping to set up the concert provided finances. She said researching the right performer to bring to campus was an interesting process for her.
"CMU hasn't had a Christian concert since the (2004) Switchfoot concert," she said. "It's been a while. We relied on internet information and other people's opinions. He was in particularly high favor on the list."
Some students are excited about Upton's concert.
Portage senior Lauren Brown said she is going to the concert through her local church.
"I usually go to His House on Thursday nights," she said. "Instead of meeting in Pearce as we usually would, we are going to this concert. I'm excited because it's not common for a public university to bring in a Christian artist."
Brown said she was not a fan of Upton until she volunteered for an alternative break program during spring break.
"I was not a fan until I went to 'Beach Reach' this year and listened to his songs. I like him now, though."
news@cm-life.com
Upton, 34, is an award-winning vocal talent who has released 10 albums. He is an independent worship leader with a large underground following, and has been considered unorthodox by some for his critical nature toward mainstream Christianity.
Tickets for the performance are available at the CMU Box Office in the Bovee University Center. The tickets will be sold by donation, meaning attendees can donate as much or as little as they like for a ticket. The performance starts at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m.
"We're expecting a lot of people," said Christa Smalligan, Fremont senior and representative from the CMU Program Board. "He's a different genre of music than we usually bring. Christian artists are not represented here very often."
While providing some of the monetary support, Smalligan said Program Board also is supplying volunteers to help coordinate the event.
She said if the concert is successful, they would consider bringing more Christian artists.
On The Fly Productions, Program Board, the Office for Institutional Diversity and an assortment of local Christian fellowships brought Upton.
"We're just one of many," said Dani Hiar, On The Fly staff adviser. "We were approached to help. We put a lot into setting it up and we will be providing a lot of volunteers."
Hiar said most of the groups helping to set up the concert provided finances. She said researching the right performer to bring to campus was an interesting process for her.
"CMU hasn't had a Christian concert since the (2004) Switchfoot concert," she said. "It's been a while. We relied on internet information and other people's opinions. He was in particularly high favor on the list."
Some students are excited about Upton's concert.
Portage senior Lauren Brown said she is going to the concert through her local church.
"I usually go to His House on Thursday nights," she said. "Instead of meeting in Pearce as we usually would, we are going to this concert. I'm excited because it's not common for a public university to bring in a Christian artist."
Brown said she was not a fan of Upton until she volunteered for an alternative break program during spring break.
"I was not a fan until I went to 'Beach Reach' this year and listened to his songs. I like him now, though."
news@cm-life.com
Be the first to comment on this story