by Jeff Quinn, vice president for college relations at Nyack College
On April 12, 2019, The Nyack College School of Music presented “Yesterday, Today, Forever,” a concert of classical, contemporary, gospel, and sacred music on the stage of Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni headlined the one-night event at this iconic venue. Featured performers included the Chorale accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra, the Gospel Choir, “Purpose,” and the Jazz Ensemble.
“Yesterday, Today, Forever,” is also the title of a hymn written in 1890 by Nyack’s founder, Dr. Albert Benjamin Simpson. This year’s concert featured an original arrangement of Dr. Simpson’s hymn by senior music composition major, Nikos Kline.
“When I heard ‘Yesterday, Today, Forever,’ I thought about how Jesus is the same no matter what changes we face,” Kline explains. “I tried to reflect that in the arrangement.
‘Yesterday’ is reflected in a hymn-singing, choral style of worship. ‘Today’ is expressed by incorporating gospel music and even spoken word. ‘Forever’ is the full choir and pipe organ representing the voice of God in its majesty. These are the sounds I think of happening in heaven for all eternity.”
Kline also described the experience of performing at Lincoln Center. “Obviously, it is a thrill to perform on that world-famous, prestigious stage. The list of musical legends who have performed at Lincoln Center is an amazing list. But more than this, getting to perform on that stage reminded me of how God can open up any door. My fellow musicians and I saw this as a God-given opportunity to perform for Him and to worship Him. That’s what made the evening so special.”
Nyack’s School of Music continues a tradition of musical excellence. From the school’s inception, its graduates have served worldwide as leaders in music education, worship, and as recording and performing artists. Faculty, students, and alumni have been featured on television, on stage, in film, and at a variety of entertainment venues. While other schools offer a degree in gospel music, Nyack College is the only college in the United States to offer a degree that concentrates on the performance of gospel music.
In addition to appearing at notable New York area churches and venues including Carnegie and Steinway Halls, Nyack students have performed in Italy; Paris, France; Poland; China; Korea; Hong Kong; Germany; Moscow, Russia; and Puerto Rico.
An ensemble of Nyack students who performed in the April 12 concert will reprise “Yesterday, Today, Forever” at The Christian and Missionary Alliance General Council May 29 in Orlando, Florida, at an evening service.
Kline hopes the message of the Lincoln Center concert will resonate again in Orlando.