Cornerstone University Chorale and Credo Comments and Reflections: Spring 2023

Fruitfulness Through God’s Faithfulness

. . . like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season (Ps 1:3).

“It was a delight to have the Cornerstone University Chorale and CREDO come to our school. The Chorale ministered to our entire student body in chapel with musical selections that were varied in style and carefully chosen to keep our student audience engaged. Dr. Walters pointed us to the scriptures and to Christ as our provider of genuine peace in troubled times. The quality of singing was a vibrant, vocally mature, and an energy-filled expression from students who were unified in exalting Christ. After chapel, Dr. Walters led a choral workshop with my students in which we performed two songs and Dr. Walters helped us improve. We learned so much from him! Having the collegiate singers there was surprisingly encouraging and not intimidating for my students. The Cornerstone University choral program is one of top-notch excellence, unified community, and joyful celebration of one another’s musical gifts. The students were clearly invested in their faith as well. The aroma of Christ was evident throughout their entire visit. I heartily encourage any school or church to invite Cornerstone ensembles. Your hearts will be uplifted as you delight in the beauty of the sounds and rich texts of the music. To God be the glory!”

Carolyn Whitaker, Director of Choirs
Kalamazoo Christian High School, Kalamazoo, Michigan

“Thank you, CREDO and Dr. Walters, for ministering to our church, and our community! The many tears shed and hands raised in praise were indications that hearts were touched, mine included. Through your beautiful songs, sincere testimonies, and Dr. Walters’ words, the Lord softened places in my heart that needed to be softened! In addition, it was such a blessing to spend a little extra time with your group in the afternoon. Listening to your conversations and laughter reiterated to me that your genuine testimonies were just that. You exuded your love of music, love for each other, and the love for God in every word and action. Through the worship service and afternoon concert, our eyes were opened to see Cornerstone University represented by some of its finest students! I pray for you as individuals and as a group, that you will continue to glorify God, continue to minister to others, and continue to spread the message of Cornerstone University!”

Arliss Schick
Trinity Church, Stanton, Michigan

“On behalf of Trinity Church, I would like to thank Dr. Walters and CREDO for the blessing that you were to our congregation, community, and youth. The inspiring testimonies shared by the members of the group about our Lord and Savior came from their personal life experiences, and the beauty of their God-given musical talents was wonderful to behold. Our youth were able to connect with the personal struggles your students spoke about in their own lives. Many members of our congregation were blown away by the beauty of the worship through the message and the vocal praise. The message on Christ as our peace in the midst of a world filled with anxiety and fear was uplifting and encouraging. Thank you for the passion, dedication, and willingness to serve that we could clearly see through all of you. May God bless you mightily in your ministry and the work you do for the kingdom.”

Joe Stonecipher
Youth and Connections Pastor Trinity Church, Stanton, Michigan

They will be like a tree planted by the water . . . it never fails to bear fruit (Jer 17:8).

“It was so nice to have CREDO come and sing for our NorthPointe Christian High School Choirs. The students really enjoyed hearing them and loved to hear about their ministry. They were so impressed with the vocal ranges of the guys and really liked the group’s repertoire. They even wanted to try to learn a few of the arrangements. Many of the students are not familiar with the programs that Cornerstone has to offer. They had a lot of questions about the music department after the group left. My daughter is a sophomore in high school and came home talking about the quality of the program and how impressed she was with the group.”

Lisa Spangler, Choir Director
NorthPointe Christian Schools, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“It was such a pleasure to host the Cornerstone University Chorale and CREDO in the Chicago area. The concert was fantastic, with a high-quality sound and impact that moved many to tears! The students were polite (even sweet), and they shared about their relationship with Jesus with ease. Each host family had only wonderful things to say about the ones they had overnight, but they wished they had more time with them. Hosting the Chorale is a gift, and we hope to do it many, many more times!”

Audrey Coyne, Worship Arts Director
Crosspoint Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Illinois

“The Caledonia High School Choralaires were blessed to interact with CREDO in March. It was an impactful exchange for my students as they were able to hear and sing alongside this outstanding ensemble. My students were inspired by their sound and ability to engage the audience through their performance. One of my students decided to take an audition at CU and is now excited to be attending in the fall with a major in music! We are grateful for this exchange and hope that we have this opportunity again in the future!”

Kara Stevens, Director of Choirs
Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan

“Please convey my deepest thanks to the members of CREDO for leading our chapel this morning. It was a truly beautiful time of worship, and we appreciated the message that was shared. We hope that this group is willing to come again in the future. Thanks again!”

Sharon Veltema | Educator, Chapel Coordinator
Unity Christian High School, Hudsonville, Michigan

“The Cornerstone University Chorale’s visit to Wayland Christian Reformed Church is one of the highlights of our year. The musical choices and performance are powerful, as is the testimony from director Dr. Kent Walters, and the students. Through the gift of incredible voices, God was honored and our congregation was edified. My entire family was deeply moved. We are grateful for Cornerstone University, and we would love to have you back as soon as we can!”

Pastor Jerry Zandstra
Wayland Christian Reformed Church, Wayland, Michigan

[They] will take root below and bear fruit above (Is 37:31.)

“Trinity Baptist Church was honored to have the CREDO a cappella vocal ensemble at our church on Sunday morning, April 16. They were excellent representatives of Cornerstone University and the Music Department. They sang and shared in a combined Sunday School gathering of our middle and high school students. One of the students commented to me afterward that they were stunned by the amazing quality of the music. They were also worship leaders and presented music in the morning worship service. Several from the congregation commented how refreshing it was to have this group come and lead us in worship. What a pleasant group of student representatives of CU. We’d love to have them come back again soon.”

Paul VanderMey, music teacher
Trinity Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“On Sunday, March 19th, we had the privilege of having the University Chorale and CREDO from Cornerstone University visit New Covenant Church to sing in our morning service and then give an afternoon concert for our congregation and community. The students sang with great focus, precision, and with great praise to God. They presented a beautiful 75-minute afternoon concert entitled “Promised Peace”. Their performance was excellent, the program had well-balanced repertoire, and they were well-received by the audience. What a joy it was to hear them sing! Interactions with the students were engaging, delightful, and authentic. Our congregants were able to enjoy meaningful conversations with the students afterwards and they were so gracious. The families that hosted students overnight had wonderful things to say about their experience as they fellowshipped together at their homes.

The next day, the Chorale headed to Minooka Community High School to sing and offer choral clinics with two of our choirs. They shared some great repertoire, and engaged with and inspired our students. The Minooka Choirs then received helpful critique from Dr. Walters, who worked on some of the music our choirs had been rehearsing and offered helpful techniques. It was a very positive morning. Tour is such an important opportunity for a choir to grow, bond, learn, and share, all in the name of Christ. It was so wonderful to see the singers of the Cornerstone Chorale do all of this during their time with us.”

Randy Benware,
Director of Music, New Covenant Church, Naperville, Illinois
Choir Director, Minooka Community High School, Minooka, Illinois

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you may go and bear fruit (Jn 15:16).

“Dear Dr. Walters, we wanted to let you know how much we appreciated the Cornerstone Chorale this year. Were the concerts entertaining? Yes, but much more than that! The chosen music, performances, and stories and testimonies from both you and the students magnified Christ and were edifying and emotionally moving. There were several occasions when the audience was quietly awestruck and worshipful. When CREDO sang “It Is Well With My Soul” tears were abundant all around us. The Chorale is more than great training for a group of students with a high level of talent. This is a purposeful ministry, with performances that reached far beyond the level of pure enjoyment, but also gave us opportunities for worship and deep appreciation.”

Thankfully, Larry and Bonnie Schwartzkopf