Vanguard Worship Collective Records Their First Album: “LIVE AT THE LIBRARY”

For most Vanguard students, the O’Cope Budge Library is a relaxing place to study, read, and unwind. From the small desks nestled between rows of bookshelves to the tables facing the floor-to-ceiling windows, the silence of the space seems as though it can never be broken. 

That is, until one Friday evening on March 16th, when the tables and chairs were pushed away to make room for a drum set, a keyboard, film and sound equipment, a dolly track, microphones, guitars, lights, and so much more.

After much prayer and preparation, the night of Vanguard Worship Collective’s first-ever live recording had finally arrived.

The students of this school’s unique music ensemble come from a wide variety of backgrounds, music styles, and majors, but they all have one crucial thing in common: their heart for worship and their passion for creating music that moves the heart of God.

These students include David Figueroa (keys player/vocalist), Hannah Finch (keys player/media assistant), Luke Freire (drummer), Evan Garza (acoustic and electric guitarist/vocalist), Olivia “OJ” Jimenez (bass player), Rylee Orr (vocalist), Anniyah Rhone (vocalist/keys player), Julia Toomey (vocalist/media director), Evelyn Torres (vocalist/media assistant), and Pearl Whitehurst (vocalist).

The historical significance of this moment is not lost on the participants, including Bodie Kuljian, the worship director on campus and the leader of Vanguard Worship Collective. 

To begin the night, Bodie thanked the audience participants for coming to support this creative endeavor, declaring that this is the beginning of a new movement of worship at Vanguard University.

Plenty of time and effort has gone into the process of getting to this moment. The idea for a live album began in the middle of the first semester of the 24-25 school year, after most of the songs on the track had already been written. 

To undertake such a massive project, Bodie enlisted audio engineer Calin Veres to audio capture/produce the tracks, and filmmaker Dustin Laemmlen to direct/produce the film. Both are Vanguard University alumni, and were eager to return to the school to bring this extraordinary creative endeavor to life.

Another crucial element of this project was the audience, which included students, faculty, and family-members. One audience member, Delaney Orr, recounted her experience being in a worship environment on-camera.

“A lot of it felt like a normal worship night, which was honestly really cool!” she said. “It just felt like we were just at a youth group or camp having fun. We were worshiping, and we had energy, and it was a really great experience.”

The audience certainly did have energy. As the band began playing their four original songs, the surrounding students jumped, clapped, and sang their hearts out.

The tracklist included two fun and upbeat songs, one smooth R&B-style track, and a worship song that has already been played in numerous chapels and worship nights on campus: “All the Praise.” 

Many of these songs have lyrics that are inspired by specific passages in scripture. For instance, the bridge of “All the Praise” is taken directly from Revelation 5:9. 

“And they sang a new song, saying: 

‘You are worthy to take the scroll, 

And to open its seals; 

For You were slain, 

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.’”

This is the ultimate heart of Vanguard Worship Collective; that with their new songs, God will be glorified in every tribe and language, people and nation. 

The new album LIVE AT THE LIBRARY is set to release sometime near the beginning of next school year, though an official date has not yet been announced. To stay updated, follow @vanguardworshipco on Instagram or TikTok.