Friday, November 29, 2002

ACU professor fulfills goals with new solo album

By Brien Murphy
Reporter-News Staff Writer

Saxophonist and music professor Eric Wilson predicts he will not set any sales records with his new praise music album.

But the recording Near to the Heart of God accomplished two of his goals. It forced Wilson to stretch professionally and allowed him to share his religious faith.

Near to the Heart of God, Wilson’s first solo album (he previously recorded with a saxophone quartet), features traditional hymns and contemporary praise music. Recorded at Abilene’s Onyx Sound Labs this summer, Near features soprano saxophone instrumentals, and songs where Wilson’s sax “duets” with vocalist Sarah Lynn Grubb.

Wilson conducts Abilene Christian University’s Wind Ensemble, and performs as a guest artist with symphony orchestras and as a jazz musician.

But Wilson said he has felt a need to record praise music for years.

“This is a chance to give back to an area of my life that has meant a lot to me,” he said. “I want to serve this music as a tribute to my heritage and the influences I grew up with.”

Wilson acknowledged that most contemporary Christian music and hymns are performed with vocals. And although Near features songs with vocals, the album’s primary voice is the soprano sax.

“This puts the saxophone in a vocal position,” Wilson said. “It’s based on what people tell me when I play — that … those (instrumental) sounds go to places in their beings that words have not touched before.

“They can’t identify what it is, but they know what they feel.”

Recording Near also gave Wilson a chance to practice what he teaches.

“I’m constantly encouraging my students to be vulnerable because that’s where the growth is,” Wilson said.

So stepping into a recording studio as a solo artist and directing a group of professional musicians was a big change from playing live with an orchestra, or directing student musicians for a concert.

“Regardless of how intimidating this was, I needed to trust that it would be OK,” Wilson said. “I gave this project over to God in a lot of ways.”

Wilson said he hopes listeners — “even if it’s just my family and friends,” — also use the music, which is often calm and soothing, to reflect on their relationships with God.

“Whatever is on their heart and soul, their emotions, their mind … I hope this music will be a catalyst for that to occur,” he said.

Near to the Heart of God features Abilene musicians Brian Baggett, Kendall Massey, Dan Mitchell and Allen Teel. It is available online at www.wholeheartmusic.com, and at Hastings, Bible Book Store, Family Christian Stores and Jordan Taylor & Company.

Wilson and Mitchell will perform this winter during Big Country church services, including Sunday at First Baptist Church in Baird.

Contact leisure writer Brien Murphy at 676-6760 or murphyb@reporternews.com

from the Reporter-News