TKA officially launches new worship band

photo provided by First Baptist Church of Woodstock Blake Malemezian plays the piano to practice his skills for the worship band. He worked to improve his musical abilities while also leading students in worship.

Across the country, worship bands like Getty Music Worship, Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music bring thousands of people together through music. Their songs are sung in churches, youth groups and even school gatherings. At The King’s Academy, students now have their own worship band. The stage is smaller, but the purpose is the same: using music to glorify God.

The idea for a worship band started last school year when band director Mrs. Lisa Adams realized some of her students needed another way to use their talents that didn't necessarily fit into a normal band. 

“Guitar works, but it's harder to incorporate it by itself in a band,” Mrs. Lisa Adams said.

The worship band, which began with a desire to perform and master their skills, while also glorifying God, now meets on B club weeks. They hope to be performing at several band concerts each year. The club gives students the space to grow their skills while also being able to point others to Christ.

“I really wanted to start this club to elevate one of our very talented guitarists, [Vaughn Slotkin] where band concerts aren’t necessarily the place for that,” Mrs. Adams said.

Mrs. Adams worked through making the group an official TKA club. It isn’t typical for a club to develop mid-year, and the worship band would be performing places, representing the school. Halfway through the 2024–2025 school year, the worship band was born.

“I wanted to help the students in the band find their next step and learn how to lead,” senior Blake Malemezian said.

Once the band was created, leadership quickly became an important aspect. Mrs. Adams encouraged students like Malemezian and Slotkin to step up to lead. Malemezian found the club when Mrs. Adams reached out to him, explaining how she felt called to start a worship band and thought he would be the right person to help lead. He already plays piano in the band at his church, so he seemed to be the perfect fit for this role; Slotkin naturally fit into leadership too, since he was one of the main reasons the club got started.

The group has given students a different kind of outlet than normal band concerts. It provided creative freedom, skill improvement and peer connection. While big worship bands fill stadiums, this one is focused on classmates and peers. Still, it connects to the same idea: music can be more than entertainment. It can lead people closer to God. Students say it's the perfect way to take the talents God has given us and use them to glorify God, not man. The band would love to welcome in new musicians with a desire to learn music and have an opportunity to connect with peers. 

“I love being in a worship band because it allows me to worship God with the talents he has given me,” Malemezian said.  “I would say that if God has gifted you musically why would you not use it to praise him? You should join praise and worship band if you have an interest in playing worship in any capacity.”