Lebanon Valley College to Celebrate Unity Fest May 2

ANNVILLE, PA (04/17/2012)(readMedia)-- Community members are invited to join students, faculty, and staff at Lebanon Valley College for its annual "Unity Fest" picnic, an evening of fellowship, food, activity and live entertainment on Wednesday, May 2, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The picnic will be on the college's Social Quad, north of Miller Chapel.

Attendees will be treated to live entertainment by the College's Christian performance groups "Praise Him with Dance" and "He is Savior" praise band.

Although there is no cost to attend, the event's organizers ask those interested in attending to RSVP to nsmith@lvc.edu or call 867-6135 by noon Monday, April 30.

In addition to the entertainment, guests will enjoy a free picnic featuring buffet tables set with hamburgers, BBQ chicken breasts, veggie burgers, salads, desserts, and drinks. There will also be games, activities and fun for all ages.

"The Christian community at the College greatly benefits from an outstanding Music Department," said Rev. Paul Fullmer, College chaplain. "Unity Fest provides a unique opportunity for members of the community to come and enjoy these blessings."

For more than 25 years He Is Savior (HiS), LVC's contemporary Christian band, has performed praise and worship music as well as music from contemporary Christian artists. The current group plays contemporary Christian rock in the style of groups such as Hillsong United, Chris Tomlin, Tenth Avenue North, David Crowder Band, and more. The group also performs top radio hits from the Christian charts. Audiences familiar with WJTL will be sure to know many of the songs featured at the picnic.

HiS was founded to serve local churches. Since 1983, HiS has played music at dozens of local churches in worship services and youth groups. The band has performed everything from well-known covers from contemporary Christian artists to hymns to popular worship songs.

"The mission of HiS is to have a band that is not seeking self-recognition but is truly a worship band. Our performances are not considered shows; we think of it as worship," says sophomore music education major Cassondra Diaz, the current leader of the band. The group is passionate and driven to carry on the legacy of HiS. "The beautiful thing about HiS is that we have roots that go back for generations, but our music and our hearts for worship appeal to any believer of any age who wants to sing out to God."

Six music majors currently make up HiS: Cassondra Diaz on keyboard and vocals; junior Jeff Yorgey on electric guitar and vocals; freshman Cristabelle Braden on acoustic guitar and vocals; sophomore Jimmy Long on bass; sophomore Matthew Ramage on drums; and senior Eric Jacobs as the sound technician.

In addition to having hundreds of past band members, the legacy of HiS has been passed on through generations. Founding member Dr. David Ramage is the father of the group's current percussionist. This new group carries on the legacy of the band with zeal and excitement; this is a picnic you will not want to miss.

Praise Him with Dance (PHD), a co-ed dance organization, worships God through a wide variety of dance styles ranging from classical ballet to hip-hop.