Trevecca students and graduates have found themselves near the epicenter of the Nashville music scene in recent years, not only gaining hands-on experience but working with some of the biggest artists in Christian and country music as they’ve built connections, learned new skills and prepared for promising futures.
- Trevecca’s worship choir, Testify, has had numerous opportunities to record with Christian artists. Most recently this has included collaborations with Rebekah White, the writer of the song “Rest on Us,” which has 10 million downloads; Tasha Layton, one of 2020’s Billboard Top Five female Christian artists; and the Newsboys on their 2024 single “Heaven on Earth.” Testify members, including those who had never been in a choir before, can be heard on the Newsboys song that has been streamed more than a million times.
- Members of the Grammy-nominated band We The Kingdom visited with students in a music business class and shared stories about their experience as an up and coming Christian band. The group has completed multiple headline tours, and they shared insights about the reality of touring and performing and answered student questions in an informal classroom setting.
- Trevecca students had the opportunity to participate in a unique cinematic experience when a scene for the movie “It’s Christmas Again” was filmed on campus. One Trevecca music student, Darby Cappillino, even had a role in the film. The movie was shown in Regal Cinemas throughout the country.
- Trevecca student Ty Thompson played the drums for a crowd of 10,000 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Thompson’s connections have also given him opportunities in country music, where he has played the CMA Fest with artist Angie K and opened up for Morgan Wallen at the Faster Horses Festival in Michigan. He has also opened for Brian Kelley from Florida Georgia Line, while drumming with Noah Hicks.
Students have opportunities behind the scenes as well. Clayton Lepley, a 2020 graduate, is now the lighting director for Grammy award-winning singer Zach Williams. He is responsible for loading equipment and making sure the shows run smoothly. Previously, Lepley went on tour with TobyMac and later Casting Crowns. Even before graduating, he was honing his skills, traveling on tour with the support of Trevecca faculty.
“My dean was willing to work with my schedule when I had the opportunity to go on tour during the fall semester,” Lepley said. “My professors knew this was what I wanted to do and they were willing to go the extra mile to make it happen.”
Trevecca faculty understands the value of real world experiences, and is always ready to provide students with opportunities in the classroom and in Music City.
“These are just some of many opportunities students have when they study music at Trevecca,” said Craig Adams, executive director of Trevecca’s Center For Commercial Music. “Attending college here is a chance for students to press into the heartbeat of Nashville as an entertainment capital.”
Rebekah Warren – Senior Copywriter Office of Marketing and Communications
Trevecca Nazarene University, www.trevecca.edu
