P2
May 2013
New library
P3
Dan Majerle
P4-7
Counseling program
P8-9
Rock & Worship
P10-11
Year’s Top 10
P12-13
Military Division
P14-16
Servant Scholars
P17
Class of 2013
P18-23
G
abe Salazar
has trouble counting the number of
times fans requested a CD of his New Life Singers
traveling vocal ensemble.
People wanted copies everywhere they sang, and Salazar
was forced to turn them away. He decided it was time to
give them the recording they wanted.
“(A CD) is the No. 1 request everywhere we go, but we
didn’t have anything to give them,” said Salazar, a Grand
Canyon University alumnus who became campus worship
director in 2011. “We have wanted to make one for a while,
and now we finally have the talent.”
The New Life Singers began recording tracks for their debut
album on April 1. Salazar said the CD could be released by
August. The album features contemporary worship covers
and student-written songs, reflecting the group’s roots as
GCU’s worship band.
Songs will be recorded at the Church for the Nations
music studio in Phoenix. Salazar said the group will include
professional musicians from around the country to record
instrumentals before the New Life Singers record vocals
and solos.
CDs will be sold on campus and on tour. Digital recordings
also could be available on iTunes. Salazar said the hope
is to sell 5,000 copies, the minimum to land a spot on the
Top 100 of Billboard magazine’s Christian charts. But he
emphasized the importance of honoring God.
“Yeah, it would be really cool to sell 5,000, but the goal is
not to sell records,” Salazar said. “The heart and soul of the
group is worship. We want to share our hearts with people
so they can enjoy (the CD) and God’s Word.”
Salazar, 28, grew the New Life Singers from five vocalists
to a premier university choral group of 16 vocalists and
five musicians. The group tours the Southwest, performing
nearly 100 times a year while leading church worship and
serving as ambassadors for GCU at high schools.
A main focus of the group is outreach and evangelism. The
group regularly performs at homeless shelters and for
charitable organizations such as the Ronald McDonald
House Charities. Student members often share their
testimonies after performances.
Junior vocalist
Jonelle Robson
, a member for three years,
said the CD expresses the group’s collective faith while
encouraging others to believe.
“We want to use this CD to share our faith and our hearts
with everyone … to encourage people in their faith and
daily lives,” Robson said.
“There is a piece of us in this album that people can take
with them and know who we are,” said
Christopher James
,
another junior vocalist.
The singing group has become popular over the last year and
positions are in high demand, so Salazar said competition
for future spots will be fierce and expectations will be
raised. Along with the current CD and rigorous touring
schedule, he has an ambitious future in mind for the group.
“It is such a new group, and to set the foundation (by
recording the album) is important,” Salazar said.
“This won’t be the last CD.”
■
New Life Singers enter studio to make worship CD
– by Cooper Nelson
GOING for the RECORD
The New Life Singers performed four songs during the annual Opera and Broadway Concert by GCU’s Music Department in
February at First Southern Baptist Church. Photo by Darryl Webb
Gabe Salazar, GCU’s campus worship director, says the
New Life Singers consistently receive requests for recorded
versions of their songs. Photo by Darryl Webb
Volume 3 – Issue 2
GCU Today Magazine
is a
quarterly publication of the Office of
Communications and Public Affairs at
Grand Canyon University.
Written and Edited by
DOUG CARROLL
Communications Director
602.639.8011
MICHAEL FERRARESI
Senior Writer
602.639.7030
BOB ROMANTIC
Senior Writer
602.639.7611
COOPER NELSON
Junior Writer
602.639.7511
Design by
DEANNA FUSCO
SoHo Southwest
Cover Photography by
DARRYL WEBB
University Staff Photographer
602.639.6375
Office of Communications
and Public Affairs
Bill Jenkins
Vice President
Grand Canyon University
3300 W. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
