By Larry Hiday
With a history that is nearly 125 years in the making, Columbia Academy (now Columbia Adventist Academy) began in 1903. Music has played an integral part of that history.
Two school songs have been included in the story of CAA, latest one written by Lee Pyke, a student in the late 1920s and early 30s. Sung every alumni weekend, the song has also made a comeback to Thursday chapels, led by current musician and teacher Randy Wiedemann. The lyrics share the beauty of our surroundings and the core values we aspire to emulate. Doug Schmidt, shop instructor, Boys’ Club sponsor and alum (’80), has also resurrected and reintroduced the Boys’ Club song to the young men of Columbia. Many have been blessed by these songs, whether in the context of creating community or shaping students into the people they’ve become.
Throughout the years, handbells, quartets, brass ensembles, and special groups have also played an important role in the mission of the school. Last year during alumni weekend, the fifty-year class sponsored the afternoon program. One of the highlights was the Class of ’74 senior men’s quartet performing several songs after a five-decade hiatus. More recently, Three for the Lord, another CAA group created in the ‘70s, participated in the church service in the Orangevale Seventh-day Adventist Church in California. And as the participants Stan Snyder (‘79), Brad Davis (‘79), and Sherilyn Wysong-Holm (‘80) retraced all the ways in which God had put their musical reunion together, including the times when it didn’t appear it would happen, they too were not only blessed but also amazed at the goodness of God, His timing, and His directing.
The story of music and Columbia isn’t confined to singing and instrumental groups, however. It can also be very personal, entrepreneurial, and include areas that aren’t always thought of in conjunction with music. Kurtis Lamberton (’09) was also a musician at CAA, leading out in praise music and performing music in other venues. Now a business owner, loving people, music, cars, photography and making things work better, he has embraced his love of engineering and music, combining them into his company, Lambertones. Kurtis has developed and manufactures top of the line electric guitar pickups. His experimentations, with both setbacks and steps forward, have led to greatly increased tone quality, resulting in a better sounding instrument. The music and lives of many have been blessed by his work, and his church community is just one of the many recipients of his blessings and his gifts.
At the beginning of this school year, Aaron Payne, chaplain and teacher, introduced the theme for Columbia’s school year: Set Apart. We believe that music has the power to lead us in a direction that sets us apart, and as we use it to bless the lives of others, we know that we too, will be greatly blessed.
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