Throughout the fall semester, Canvas will follow several of UNC’s student a cappella groups, looking and listening to what makes each unique.
In this seventh installment of the series, staff writer Paige Connelly looks at the faith based fellowship of Psalm 100.
Of the numerous a capella groups on campus, Psalm 100 stands out with a unique message.
With a dedication to vocal music and Christian ideals, the group has become an important and well known part of the UNC music world.
Composed of 15 members, Psalm 100 regularly competes and performs across the state, recently coming in first of eight in a competition held in Boone.
Senior member and assistant music director, Trevor Phillips, said he is passionate about the group's mission and working with the members to spread their shared beliefs.
“We officially exist to share the message of Jesus and Christians with other people,” he said. “We like singing and making music and happiness, but other than just making people happy we have this message we share.”
Phillips said it was this mission that made him want to be a part of Psalm 100 when he first decided to join.
“It means so much to create music and work with people who share the same goal,” he said. “Our music has a purpose.”
And for Phillips, that common purpose is what he said made fitting into the group so easy.
“It was like finding my best friends I didn’t know I had," he said.
Fellow member and junior Anna Nudo said the fusion of music and Christ was a defining factor in her choice to join as well.
“I love a capella and I love Jesus more than anything,” she said. “The opportunity to share the love of Jesus has changed my life. It’s incredible.”
Nudo said the atmosphere of the group is refreshing and easy to work in as a member.
“It’s overall a selfless atmosphere because we have a greater purpose on campus,” she said. “We’re very aware it’s not all about us.”
Nudo said the group members arrange music selections themselves and organize that music into two categories: radio songs and Christian songs.
“Our radio songs are typically more well known,” she said. “We try to be discerning in what radio songs, obviously we don’t want to do a song that’s not representative of Jesus.”
She said the Christian songs aren’t as well known, but have the sole purpose explaining Christianity and furthering the group's message.
“We have an underlying understanding that our overall purpose is not to be the best, but to effectively share the gospel,” she said.
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