Published on November 8, 2017 by Ashley Smith  
worship ensemble

WAE (pronounced “way”), Samford University’s new Worship Arts Ensemble, will host their premier Night of Worship Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in Brock Recital Hall.  Admission is free, but seating will be limited. 

According to Eric Mathis, associate professor of music worship and director of Samford’s Center for Worship and the Arts, “This 18-voice, five-piece band, auditioned ensemble is committed to creating a unique, versatile worship experience using a wide range of music and all the arts.”  

Mathis describes the ensemble format, “Performances include a multi-media deep spiritual experience through sharing scripture, music, visual arts and projections and participation by the congregation. Musicians and artists from across the campus join together to sing, worship and celebrate the love of Christ and share their talents.”  

The ensemble will commission new works to perform, including a piece by music faculty member Joel Davis for the inaugural concert.  

“WAE wants to foster fellowship and worship opportunities across Samford and in our community while introducing the church to new concepts and tools for worship,” notes Mathis.  It is an innovative ensemble that will reach well beyond the boundaries of the School of the Arts and Samford. WAE will perform and lead worship in churches and venues across our community, in lower socio-economic areas, and in global mission projects. 

Mathis added that the School of the Arts is home to many organizations and groups that engage students from across the campus including theatre productions, Dance Company, A Cappella Choir, Marching Bulldogs, Campus Worship, and now the Worship Arts Ensemble which developed under the Center for Worship and the Arts.  

The next performance will be in the spring and help celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Center for Worship and the Arts.  

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.