by Joe Caddy
While Central Music Institute (CMI) is a time-honored tradition, the objective of each CMI encampment always has been oriented more to the future of music ministry than its past. This summer’s CMI—the 84th—was no exception with 10 days marked by dynamic growth.
More Students
The 217 combined registrations of the instrumental and vocal schools represent the highest CMI enrollment in nearly 10 years and more than a 30 percent increase over last year. Much of the growth could be seen in the vocal school where 84 singers participated in one of CMI’s two mainstream choruses—an increase of almost 65 percent over CMI 2017!
Expanded Curriculum
The music and gospel arts department continues to explore ways to augment curricular offerings at CMI to encourage a variety of artistic expressions. Making its debut this year, the newly established woodwind elective track enabled students who play nonbrass wind instruments to join in music ministry on their primary instrument. This track joins dance, drama, leadership, media production and praise team as expanded courses of study aimed at encouraging students to develop skills in these areas for use in their corps and divisions.
Greater Artistic Expression
Expertly guided by guest instructor Kellyn Thornburg, a professional dancer and Salvationist from New York City, the dance elective track made great strides toward artistic and technical excellence. Instrumental and vocal technique classes were enriched by the integration of the newly revamped music and arts proficiency (MAP) curriculum combined with the skillful coaching of seasoned CMI faculty. In ensemble rehearsals, students and faculty were spurred on to greater heights of music ministry by guest instructors Majors Martin and Leanne Cordner (United Kingdom and Ireland Territory) and Eric and Becki Dina (USA East Territory).
Big Spiritual Strides
While the schedule was filled with classes aimed at stimulating musical growth, CMI 2018 also sparked spiritual growth as students and staff studied the life of Moses in Sealed Orders, small groups and devotionals by CMI Chaplain Captain Betsy Clark. On the first weekend territorial leaders Commissioners Brad and Heidi Bailey encouraged campers in their faith. Major Martin Cordner, an accomplished composer and arranger, created a new brass band setting of “If your presence” (Major Yvonne Field) specifically for CMI. With text from Exodus 33, the song perfectly tied together CMI’s musical and spiritual components as it was sung throughout the week.
A New Generation
CMI was honored to have Chief Secretary Colonel Steve Howard present awards to campers this year during the Awards Festival. One of the emotional highlights not only of the evening but of all CMI was the presentation of the new Steve Diaz Chaplain’s Award. Created to honor the legacy of Steve Diaz, beloved CMI student and faculty member who passed away in 2014, the award will be given each year to a student who through humor, joy and grace encourages others. The inaugural award was resented to Edrance (KI) Emmanuel, who was mentored by Steve Diaz when he was the St. Louis Temple, Mo., corps officer. It is clear God continues to use Steve’s life to multiply the ministry through the lives he influenced.
The growth doesn’t end at CMI but continues as students and faculty return to their corps. Like Moses, they are equipped and invigorated for service after a “mountaintop” encounter with the Lord and assured that God’s Spirit will be their constant guide.
Awards
Shagbark Band
Timothy Kepple (Boone, Iowa)
Frank and Gladys Botu Award
Temple Band
Kevin Herrara (La Paz Central, Bolivia)
Rachel Grindle-Phelps Award
Hilltop Chorus
Reggie Brooks (Rockford Temple, Ill.)
Victor Danielson Scholarship
Tabernacle Band
Levi Mowers (Royal Oak, Mich.)
Paton Family Scholarship
Citadel Band
Annabel Allan (Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.)
Donald Hanton Scholarship
Booth Chorale
Marisa Riley (Carlisle, Pa.)
Douglas Norris Scholarship
Wonderland Band
Anthony Barrington (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
William and Katherine Scarlett Scholarship
Ernest and Mary Miller Vocal Soloist Award
Elizabeth Hyme (Council Bluffs, Iowa.)
Jeffrey Steele (Blue Island, Ill.)
Marjorie Marshall Piano Award
Emily Cattani (Manitowoc, Wis.)
Flint Citadel Uden-McDougall Percussion Award
Emilio Ramos (East Chicago, Ind.)
Ray Wright Tuba Award
Scott Rodriguez (Rockford Temple, Ill.)
Earle Hanton Euphonium Award
Randal Smith II (Flint Citadel, Mich.)
John R. Cheyne Trombone Award
Rachel Dina (Cleveland Temple, Ohio)
Howard Chesham Horn Award
Josie Himes (Flint Citadel, Mich.)
Ron Rowland Cornet Award
DelaneyWest (St. Louis Gateway Citadel, Mo.)
Winters Instrument Repair Award
Kevin Herrara (La Paz Central, Bolivia)
Steve Diaz Chaplain’s Award
Endrance Emmanuel (St. Louis Temple, Mo.)
Harry Strissel Most Improved Musician Award
Ryan Coakley (Royal Oak, Mich.)
Ramsdale-Jaudes-Boyer Rookie Award
Emily Cho (Lakewood Temple, Minn.)
Fischer Awards
Composition–Anna Tooley (Norridge Citadel, Ill.)
Theory–Nathaniel Coppin (Royal Oak, Mich.)
Leadership–Aaron Frish (Des Plaines, Ill.)
Bernard A. and Bessie H. Smith Conducting Award
J.J. Pook (Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.)
Majors William and Jean Stuart Scholarship
Allison Jordan (Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.)
Lois and Len Duguay Spirit of CMI Award
Samuel Leka (Rockford Temple, Ill.)
Ben Merritt Award
Isaac Leka (Rockford Temple, Ill.)
Arthur Shoults Scholarship
Crosby-O’Neil Cornet
Fulton Heights, Mich., Corps
Dance–Jimyah Steele (Blue Island, Ill.)
Drama–Sara Dina (Cleveland Temple, Ohio)
Praise Band–Joshua Kistan (Tustin Ranch, Calif.)
Media Production–William Lawson (Des Plaines, Ill.)
Woodwinds–Kristen Holness (St. Louis Euclid, Mo.)
Janey Hult Memorial Scholarship
Katlyn Priester (Wichita Citadel, Kan.)
Dwight F.Wood Tuba Scholarship
Cody Long (Indianapolis Fountain Square, Ind.)
Captain Fred Wakefield Memorial Scholarship
Alexis Yacobucci (Des Plaines, Ill.)
