Grand Canyon University’s Worship Arts Program has released its seventh student worship album. Two of his West Valley natives contributed their musical talents to its production.
Litchfield Park resident Edwin Lopez and Peoria resident Victoria Gutierrez are featured in several songs on GCU’s student album of the year, Canyon Worship 2022. Collaboration was a key element in the birth of the album, resulting in a collection of songs that candidly reflect the feelings and experiences of the students.
Lopez, who recently graduated from GCU, said, “When people listen to this album, I want them to know that these songs come from as organic as they feel and hear. “I know everyone who’s been on every song on the album. They’re all my friends. So it’s not just how God works through them, but how they work.” It was really cool to see… getting to know yourself in such a vulnerable way.
Produced by music industry veterans Geoff Hunker and David Willey, Canyon Worship 2022 was released on September 9 after a year of hard work. There are eleven tracks, four of which feature three or more of his students.
Lopez co-wrote and recorded the songs “Here (I Will Be)” and “Sometimes,” while Gutierrez co-wrote and played bass on “Sometimes,” “The Real Thing,” and “I’m Yours.” Did.
“It was cool to be in a new environment, but also learning to work with new people and new creatives,” Lopez said. It was also really cool to be able to be with so many people who couldn’t be on the It reaches as many ears as it has.”
Gutierrez enjoys learning about the value of collaboration and cherishes the opportunity to sit with other students and realize that “I’m not the only one gaining experience.”
“It’s really cool to get together with friends and see that we’ve been through similar things in our lives and can come to the same understanding about God and how loyal He has been to us. “It was amazing to feel that through the whole songwriting process. Taking those ideas into the songs and even the recording process was just amazing.”
Conducted through GCU’s College of Theology, the Worship Arts Program blends ministry and performance with a variety of industry experts, instructors, and experienced worship pastors.
Its worship albums are released annually and are entirely authored by the program’s current students. They are recorded at the GCU Recording Lab, one of his 49 Lopes Live Labs (L3’s) on campus.
Every December, Worship Arts hosts an open mic show where students can submit and perform original songs. Those selected to showcase their music are placed in a separate pool and selected based on whether their songs can be put together into a cohesive album.
“It starts from there, and then it becomes a cool process of recording, finding musicians, refining the lyrics, then tracking it, producing it, mixing it for everyone to hear and enjoy,” says Lopez. said. A program initiative that provides students with platforms and opportunities like our annual album.
Gutierrez said he never thought he could record music and is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the worship arts community.
“Canyon Worship 2022” is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.
