As Elizabeth opened the show I knew I was in for a spirit filled night of music! The church was packed with families, groups of high school kids, and young adults all coming from different local churches and denominations. I was expecting to enjoy music from Elizabeth and Matt as advertised online...little did I know I was in for a huge surprise.
Matt Maher was performing with the band The Brilliance. Lead singer David Gungor is brother to the lead singer of the band Gungor, Michael Gungor. Talk about a musically gifted family! Matt left the stage during his performance and allowed The Brilliance to perform their own songs for about 20 minutes. To say I fell in love with their music would be an understatement. Their music both lyrically and instrumentally was food I didn't know my soul was craving. Traditionally backed by a full string quartet they were playing a stripped down versus in honor of the lent season. With a cello, violin, piano, drums, and a guitar they moved me to tears. Their music is based on the liturgist calendar. Many of their lyrics resonate with common prayers I grew up reciting in church. Two songs that I would like to share are "Does Your Heart Break?" and "Now and At the Hour of Our Death". Earlier in the week I prayer that new music would be given to me that I could use to stay focused in my busy days and to play in moments of grave difficulty to be reminded that our God is right there with me. All I can say is thank you for delivering on a prayer I simply said in my head!
David Gungor (lead singer) and John Arndt (pianist) above promised to be back in the Bay Area this May! I can hardly contain my excitement!
