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Brian Weer

Brian Weer (’01 Music grad)

  • M.S. in Music Education: Pensacola Christian College
  • Associate Pastor of Music and Worship, Salem Baptist Church (Winston-Salem, NC)
  • Director of Music, Salem Baptist Christian School (Winston-Salem, NC)

“PCC helped me grow in music by instilling a strong musical/theoretical background with an emphasis on ministry. I plan and lead the worship services at our church and teach the following courses at the school: high school through beginner bands; choirs; middle and high school handbells; and I lead high school chapel music.”

Brian’s favorite part about working as a musician is “the thrill of leading a congregation in worship before the Lord and knowing that people can be hurting on the inside, and being personally used by God to bring them to Him in worship.”

Steve and Jennifer Hall

Joshua Prenevost (’06 Church Music grad)

  • M.S. in Music Education: Pensacola Christian College
  • Assistant Pastor and Music Director, Cornerstone Baptist Church (Smyrna, TN)

“I feel that the education I received at PCC was well rounded and has helped provide me with the creativity, flexibility, and vision to adapt to the needs of a growing church. I left PCC feeling confident and prepared for wherever the Lord would lead me.

“I am responsible for our church’s music program, church visitation, and retirement home ministry. Some of my weekly responsibilities include editing sermons for posting online, handling benevolence requests, leading congregational singing, directing the adult and children’s choir, managing the church website, and helping organize church activities. My wife (Joy, ’02 Elementary Education grad) and I work together on almost everything as an inseparable team. I love being in a position where I can influence, help, and witness to people for God’s glory on a full time basis.”

Yoshio Nakamura

Yoshio Nakamura (’96 Music grad)

  • M.S. in Secondary Education: Pensacola Christian College
  • Band Director and Music Teacher, Raleigh Christian Academy (Raleigh, NC)
  • Orchestra Director, Beacon Baptist Church (Raleigh, NC)

Awards
His high school band has won first place in the North Carolina Association of Christian Schools fine arts competition for the past three years.

“I am grateful that I was taught how to play all of the instruments in the various methods classes [at PCC]. I also use what I learned in my arranging classes on a weekly basis as I arrange music for my band and orchestra on Finale.

“My favorite part of my job is getting to watch my students grow and develop their instrumental abilities and then use those abilities in their local church.”

Rachel (Scheller) McElroy

Rachel (Scheller) McElroy (’04 Music grad)

  • M.S. in Music Education: Pensacola Christian College
  • Director for Home School Music Co-op Strings Program, Private Music Instructor, Certified Kindermusik Teacher

“I love working with students who are developing their intermediate skills. There is such an opportunity to introduce new concepts and techniques and to get the students really excited about music. Feedback from parents and students always thrills me: ‘You started him on his musical career!’ ‘I would have given up the violin if it hadn’t been for you.’ ‘I hope I can play like you someday!’

“My lessons and classes at PCC gave me valuable technical skills but also provided firsthand observations of teachers on the job. I have found that many of my teaching techniques and styles copy those from my instructors there at PCC. I feel like I gained not just teaching skills but a love and enjoyment for music.”

Steve and Jennifer Hall

Steve and Jennifer Hall (’99 Music grads)

  • Steve: Music Director and Assistant Pastor, Valley Baptist Church
    (Stuarts Draft, VA)
  • Steve and Jennifer: Music Writing and Arranging, Bible Truth Music
    (Newport News, VA)

“Steve says, “We have had the privilege of working in many areas of music publishing with Bible Truth Music, such as writing and arranging choral music and children’s music, leading choir conferences in churches all over the country, as well as doing graphic design for CDs and books. We have also been able to produce a number of music recordings and have written and arranged two musical cantatas through BTM. One is called ‘The Miracle I’ve Seen,’ an Easter musical, and the other is called ‘This Is My America,’ a patriotic musical.

“Serving the Lord in the area of music is a wonderful privilege! It is very rewarding to work on a song with the church choir and use it to minister to the congregation on Sundays. It is a blessing to see others be able to use their God-given talents to serve the Lord in music, especially children. It has also been amazing to see the Lord open the doors of opportunity for us to be able to accomplish some of our musical dreams.

“I can so clearly look back now and see how God led me to PCC and how He gave me the tools there that I would need in my future ministry. I was privileged to have some of the finest music instructors and learned many things that have been invaluable to me in the music ministry. Some specific tools I gained at PCC are principles of good vocal technique, choral training and conducting, and striving for excellence in every area. I appreciate the emphasis that was placed by the instructors on music as a ministry, not performance.”

Jennifer says, “Many of the classes I took at PCC, such as Choral Writing and Arranging, have been invaluable to me, giving me the foundation for the work I now do. The professors were excellent, giving such attention to detail and helping me to develop musical ideas. During my time at PCC, of course I did not know what my future held, but God led in many ways, preparing me for the future ministry and work we would do. My time at PCC is a treasured memory to me, and I am very grateful for the solid musical foundation I received during my years as a student there. Excellence was emphasized in every area.”

Florence Fong

Florence Fong (’96 Music Education grad)

  • M.A. in Music: Pensacola Christian College
  • Music Director, Alma Heights Christian Academy (Pacifica, CA)

“PCC’s Music Education program provides a wide range of opportunities in a school setting and church setting. We are challenged and trained in our specific areas of proficiency. We also learn the basics of all the instruments through brass & percussion methods, woodwind methods, the Jaffé Strings program, and voice classes. Most of all, the teachers are great examples who teach and encourage us to use our God-given talents and abilities for the cause and glory of Jesus Christ.

“The teaching internship at PCC was hands-on, practical, and instilled valuable learning experiences. It gave me a lot of experience in a very well-structured classroom setting. I learned professionalism in the classroom as well as with colleagues. One of my advisory teachers showed me many teaching tools to make music fun and interesting for students from kindergarten through high school. I have been able to use many of her teaching ideas in my music appreciation classes and piano lessons.“

I thought it would be fun to direct elementary programs and teach young students about composers and music theory. God led me to my current school to do just that, and I was able to start a strings program and after-school piano lessons. I couldn’t wait to take all the teaching ideas that I learned from my classes and teachers and utilize them in the classroom.”

See Division of Fine Arts for more information.