Summer Promotional Groups
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Getting a handle on summer music traveling groups has been a real challenge – and deceitfully difficult. Some groups traveled more than one year; (1) students sometimes traveled for more than one summer in different groups. Evangel summer music traveling groups have been featured on music albums with photos on the record covers (often undated and individuals unidentified). Some groups were featured in yearbooks or in an occasional catalog or promotional brochure. But, unfortunately, no consistent or definitive records have been kept of these many groups and the students who served so effectively in ministry and college promotion. While these groups were used for functions during the regular school year, the primary purpose was to travel during the summer months in ministry and in promotion of Evangel. They performed at youth conventions, camps, churches and the like. The groups were selected, approved and, in large measure, trained by faculty in the Music Department. The Development Office established itineraries and provided general supervision during these months when departmental offices were closed or maintained part-time. Individual student maturity and capable student leadership made these efforts overwhelmingly successful.
The first identifiable promotional student group was called simply “Evangel College Trio” comprised of three young coeds (2). Named in the 1956 yearbook were Janell Martin, Francis Putnam, and Charlotte Wright. Most of the subsequent summer traveling groups fell into one of three categories shown below (Coeds, Mela-tones, or Collegians). However, at least two exceptions should be mentioned The Bethel Men’s Ensemble (3) (1972) and The Extension (1971 and 1972). The Bethel Men’s Ensemble was a quartet of young men who functioned similarly to the Collegians. The Extension (4) was a larger group made up of both men and ladies, singers and instrumentalists. First identified with the campus student ministries group known as the Service Corp of Pentecostal Endeavor (SCOPE), the young people utilized music, drama (skits), and testimony in their appearances in Springfield and the surrounding area. As they became more recognized for their ministry and entertainment gifts, they were sometimes invited to perform for certain school-sponsored events (including a brief tour during Spring Break). Most of their appearances, however, were coordinated by student leaders rather than college officials. They came together for ministry and fellowship; they received no tuition discount or other remuneration. During the two summers (1971-1972), most members of the group were employed (individually) at Silver Dollar City in Branson. A number of them lived in the White House Hotel in Rockaway Beach. Their performances were in area churches, coffee houses, Silver Dollar City, and campgrounds in the Branson lake area. One interesting note is that Dr. George Wood, Campus Pastor and later the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, was the group’s advisor.
- COEDs: Vocal Ladies Trio (singers) with piano accompanist with some doubling as instrumentalists
- Mela-Tones: Ladies Trio (singers) with piano accompanist with some doubling as instrumentalists
- Collegians: Three- to five-person male vocal group which included a keyboard accompanist or small instrumental ensemble such as a brass quintet. Instrumental groups usually included vocal selections with their music.
Their pay, aside from the students’ own personal joy and satisfaction in music ministry, was principally in the form of tuition discounts applied to their school accounts for the following year.
During the mid-1970’s, the use of summer music traveling groups for college promotion declined and eventually were replaced by small ensembles directed by, and under the supervision of a music faculty member. In 1981, Jesse Peterson, former music faculty member and Chair of the Music Department, returned to campus on a part-time basis as founder and director of Chrism. The musical repertoire was designed to appeal to teenagers. After three semesters Peterson was succeeded by Bonnie Jenkins who directed the group through the spring semester of 1987. Susan Smith was Chrism’s director from 1987 to 1988. During the 1986-87 school year, a men’s quartet called Chosen was organized to assist in college promotional activities. The quartet was in existence only one year, but it did perform at the 1987 General Council in Oklahoma City. In 1988, there was another touring group named Covenant that included Wayne Wilson and Rob Neal.
In the fall of 1988, Chrism was succeeded by Frontline. Nate Carter served as Director/Manager until 1995. During this period of time, Frontline served as a representative of Evangel University, CBC, and the Revivaltime Ministry of the Assemblies of God Headquarters. Nate Carter was an employee of the Radio Ministries Department at the A/G Headquarters and he utilized students from both Evangel and CBC to be members of Frontline. From 1995-2003, Frontline was the sole representative of Evangel University and its Music Department. Itineraries were established by the Evangel Development Office and leadership responsibilities became a part of the load of Evangel music faculty member, Susan Smith. (Smith used student managers Dustin and Jeanna Smith in the summer of 1999). Later, Hannah Marks (2003-2004) and Angie Schoff (2004-2005) were given adjunct music faculty status when they served as directors/managers of Frontline. (5)
I have a deep sense of appreciation personally for these groups who did a superb job of representing and promoting Evangel through their music ministry. The results of their work, even though done many years ago, continue to produce fruit today. Lives were touched. People have been positively influenced. Students were recruited who, from their experiences at Evangel, grew in the Lord. Many of these students have had their own children – and now even their grandchildren – benefit by enrollment at Evangel.
Appendix V lists most of these former students who served in this capacity.