Guerin Catholic Music teacher Joey Garcia ’07, and GC alumnus and current Ball State student, Ryan Brinkworth ’13, organized a field trip for a group of Guerin Catholic students to Ball State’s Music Media Production Studios in the spring. The session, which was part of Ryan’s senior project, gave members of Guerin Catholic’s House Band an opportunity to record some of their recent work. Throughout the school year, House Band had been practicing and performing for different sporting venues at Guerin Catholic and had developed an impressive repertoire. “The group and sound engineers did an awesome job collaborating together to make some spectacular music,” said Garcia. To view a video of their experience, visit GuerinCatholic.org/fine-arts. RockingOut@BallStateU Faculty Spotlight I remember vividly the moment that I knew that I was called to teach music. Mr. Mark Duray pulled me into his office and told me, “I am going to be out of the building in a couple of weeks and I need your help. There is an All-School Mass that will be happening while I’m out,” he said this in a very Mark Duray-kind-of-way with a point of his finger and then said, “and I need you to lead Golden Voice for that Mass.” My response “....OK, I’ll do it.” I didn’t know exactly how to do it and honestly I was super anxious upon accepting the job, but it is going to work out because it was going to be the best I could do. What I understood from being a student in those beginning years of Guerin Catholic was that there weren’t a lot of students to begin with—my class of 2007 only had 23 graduates! I knew that when a teacher, coach or director asked me to do something, I humbly accepted the job knowing that if I didn’t do it then it might not happen. Much like many of my mentors back then, Mark believed and encouraged me to serve at a pivotal time in my life. During the proceeding rehearsals, I’m not exactly sure how they really went but in my head I was a complete wreck! I was trying to figure things out musically and leading the whole group at the same time as best I could. Even just trying not to trip over my words became a challenge. I felt exhausted after rehearsals, coming out with a racing heart rate and sweating profusely because of the anxiety. Even though it was all completely overwhelming, the Mass went well! After Mass was done I looked at how I helped lead by serving and I was hooked. In the midst of all the chaos, a teacher was born. I like to look back on this moment for a couple of reasons. Leading like that was so tiring because I wanted to create a beautiful and meaningful experience through music during the most meaningful event for Catholics—experiencing Christ in the Eucharist in the Mass. Providing music at liturgies is one of, if not the most important thing that we do in the music department. We strongly believe that when creating truth in beauty in and out of the Mass undeniably warms people’s hearts and moves our community. Secondly, I look back on this moment because it is so impactful when a student becomes empowered by realizing that the gift that he has is meant to providentially change the world. Empowering students is one of my favorite things to do as a teacher. Just as Mark Duray empowered me in that moment, we strive to continue to h elp students discern and e mpowerthem through opportunities in music. JoeyGarcia’07 Then . . . . . . and Now
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