For the Collegiate Quarterly (CQ), communicating in print isn't enough. This Bible study guide for young adults has ventured into the world of sound by compiling a CD, called "KaleidosCQpe," featuring Seventh-day Adventist musicians.
For the Collegiate Quarterly (CQ), communicating in print isn’t enough. This Bible study guide for young adults has ventured into the world of sound by compiling a CD, called “KaleidosCQpe,” featuring Seventh-day Adventist musicians.
The “music styling is targeted to any genre that doesn’t have an outlet,” says Gary Swanson, editor of CQ, which began in 1979. “These are dedicated Adventists who don’t seem to find an avenue. The atmosphere doesn’t offer them the oxygen they need.”
The idea came from Falvo Fowler, who teaches a CQ class at Spencerville Adventist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. He also produced the project. “I liked the idea right off,” Swanson says. “It sounded like something the CQ would do.”
CQ has an emphasis on participation, Swanson explains. “What CQ has been about from the start ... is giving people a chance to participate in ministry.”
A lot of young people haven’t heard of CQ, Swanson says. This CD is “by young people for young people. We’re hoping the CD will get people interested in CQ.”
The CD is a sampler, which intentionally highlights different styles of music. In this way it reflects the CQ style of studying the Bible. CQ encourages young adults from around the world to contribute to the lesson studies, allowing different perspectives.
The church “has too much sameness. This is the Baskin Robbins of the Adventist CD world. It’s not just more vanilla,” Fowler adds, explaining the international flavor the CD carries, with artists from Australia, Denmark, Singapore, Canada and the United States.
Swanson and Fowler didn’t have to go looking for most of the artists. They asked two or three if they would be interested in the project, and the rest was word of mouth.
In addition to an expanding interest in CQ, the musicians who participated in the project share their hope.
“I have only heard of a handful of [Adventist] Christian bands ... So perhaps this compilation could bring a little more attention to some of the God-inspired music that Adventists are doing,” says Jeff Lam of the Singapore-based band Parousia, who’s song “Subside” is included in the album.
“Career musicians can only survive if people want to listen to their music, and this project will help people know that we exist,” says Laura Whidden, a featured artist on KaleidosCQpe.
“For those of us who don’t have the attention of a big company, we have to rely on touring, and word of mouth to get our music out to the public. This compilation CD is so amazing because it helps people find out about our music, and it helps churches know that they have a lot of musical options for concerts and church ministry events,” she adds.
Fowler says some Adventist artists don’t have a network where they can play, however, others have played in a variety of settings—not only churches, but cafes, clubs, shopping centers and rooftops.
KaleidosCQpe features 16 artists—a kaleidoscope of music.
