Last Saturday, the Curb College’s Christian Showcase set a record for attendance with more than 2,000 audience members filling seats in the Curb Event Center to see bands Colorfire (winner), The Gloria Dei Project, The Weight of Glory and Jamie Smyth perform two original works and one contemporary Christian cover. In addition to the exceptional talent and visionary production featured in the show, the evening’s success may be attributed to a partnership with Student Affairs to book and promote the show on a Parent & Family Weekend and to newly implemented marketing teams in the showcase series who reached out directly to campus and community residents.
Producer Philip Hagood said of the show, “The 2010 Christian Showcase is a place where the students of Belmont and members of the Nashville community can come together to celebrate music that glorifies God.” Emphasis on community outreach and involvement is what sets the show apart from others.
Guitarist and vocalist of The Gloria Dei Project and participant in multiple Belmont showcases, Jordan Reynolds describes his experience, “The production staff was one of the best I have worked with in any showcase. I was very impressed by the lighting, and the intimacy it created between us (the artist) and the audience.” Numerous dimly lit hanging lanterns and dozens of un-level lamps spread across the stage added a sense of familiarity between audience and artist.
First to take the stage, The Gloria Dei Project is a quintet that includes Stephen Whitfield, Haley Hamilton, Jeremy Brown, Jordan Reynolds and Blaine Reedy. Four-member band The Weight of Glory varied instrumentally with musicians on the cello and ukulele, and the band’s eclectic style brought indie qualities to the Christian scene. Solo act Jamie Smyth is an experienced worship leader who makes appearances in churches across America. Her radio ready worship songs added a splash of mainstream to the night. Winners of the showcase, electronica-pop trio Colorfire, continue to give Christian music exciting new sounds and textures that live up to their name. The group prompted one of the better crowd responses of the night with bright, energetic musicality.
