Bethel Renaissance Rings in Year-End with Renny Bash, Album Debut

McKENZIE (April 24) — Bethel University’s Renaissance program, The Performing Arts Experience, recently hosted its end-of-year celebration, debuting its new compilation album, Renaissance: The Next Chapter. The vibrant student event, a culmination of work across all creative disciplines, was held in downtown McKenzie at the former Wrinkle Hardware building.

The celebration was intentionally designed as a get-together for the program’s diverse branches: vocal, production, theater, and band. Attendees enjoyed an evening of food, fellowship, games, door prizes, and karaoke.

Dr. Scott Shepherd, the interim executive director of Renaissance, noted that the event was managed entirely by student leaders. “We have a Renaissance Student Ambassador group that represents each of our divisions,” Shepherd said. “They’ve been in charge of this event. They made all the plans. They’re emceeing the event tonight. I’m just sitting back and watching and supporting.”

The event was held not only as a fun gathering but also as the official debut of their new project. Zoe Smith, a senior in the Renaissance choir, explained that the event is new this year, serving as a hangout and a way “to not only release the new project that we’ve been working on, but it’s kind of a hangout for all of our branches of Renaissance”.

Quinton Slater, a sophomore theater student, echoed the focus on unity, stating the album release was intended to be “the pinpoint celebration of all of Renaissance as a collective, not just as individual units.”

Renaissance: The Next Chapter

The new album highlights the program’s incredible diversity, featuring music spanning gospel, contemporary choir, worship, a cappella, and bluegrass.

Featured tracks on the new album include:

• Renaissance Choir (accompanied by the rhythm section): Say Yes, Rejoice, and Name Above All Names, along with Christmas favorites Glory and Go Tell It on the Mountain.

• Resound (worship team): Trust in God.

• Rendition (10-member a cappella ensemble): A modern edge with Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” and Toto’s “Africa.”

• Bluegrass Band: Where the Wild River Rolls and Daniel Prayed.

The album was produced by Matthew Holt, Daniel Howell, Chandler Padgett, and Scott Shepherd. It will be available soon on all major streaming platforms, including iTunes and Spotify.