Lee Alumni Making Marks in Music World
November 29, 2017–Three alums from Lee University have garnered recent headlines for their musical talents, a trend that is nothing new from the university with 100 year-old roots in the Church of God.
Last night on NBC television’s “The Voice,” Brooke Simpson advanced to the Top Ten of the popular nationwide talent search competition. A former member of the Lee University Campus Choir, she is a full-blooded Native American from Hollister, N.C. now living in Florida with her husband who is a worship leader. Brooke is the second Lee alum to advance this far in two years. In 2015, Lee alumnus Jordan Smith captured the top prize on the show and has since released a number of albums and made numerous special appearances. In January 2015, Clark Beckham, another Lee alumnus, advanced to the final round, taking second place on the similar nationally-televised talent search, “American Idol.”
In addition, Lee University alumni Cliff Duren and Phil Nitz recently received a Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove award for musical/choral collection of the year for their work on an Easter musical, “For The Sake Of Love.”
Since 1970, the GMA Dove Awards has celebrated rich musical diversity and honored excellence in Christian Music. Awards are presented to individuals representing genres spanning styles of modern rock to contemporary pop to southern gospel.
A freelance arranger, orchestrator, and vocalist, Nitz graduated from Lee in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in music business, then returned to Lee to earn a master’s degree in church music. He is currently the staff arranger and worship leader at Christ Church Nashville. Duren received a master’s degree in church music from Lee in 2004 and is currently the worship pastor at The Church at Station Hill in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
Additionally, Nitz recently contributed arrangements for the upcoming Voices of Lee Christmas record.
According to Duren, he had not orchestrated before coming to Lee, and he regards his studies as a defining time in his career and ministry. Similarly, Nitz attributes his accomplishments in the music business to the education he received at Lee.
“My time at Lee most definitely influenced any success I’ve had,” said Nitz. “… this award is just an affirmation that I’m doing what God has called me to do.”
Simpson will continue in the competition on “The Voice,” leading up to an announcement of the winner in December.
