NW Valley Times

Critical Mass, the College of Arts and Media choral group at Grand Canyon University, has become a traditional fixture at every Commencement ceremony. The group performs the national anthem during these ceremonies and also offers a 30-minute opening set as attendees gather.

“Over the years it’s grown to be a very meaningful part of Commencement,” said Dr. Juan Hernandez, assistant dean of music and the group's conductor. “For many that are graduating, it is their last performance with us that their friends and their family get to see either here or online. It’s just a great thing to finish the year with.”

The students involved in Critical Mass put in long hours of rehearsal and vocal exercises in preparation for these performances. Despite this rigorous schedule, recent theatre graduate Cooper Townley believes that prayer is an essential component of their preparation process.

"I rely on the training and the preparation that I do, but all that can fail. He (God) is the One who's got me, so I do it for His glory first," said Townley.

Abigail Huettemann, a graduating senior who sang with Critical Mass while also walking across the stage as a graduate, shared her enjoyment of performing live music for her fellow graduates.

“It’s so fun to provide live music for the people that are graduating,” said Huettemann. “Whenever we are up on the stage, there are always a bunch of people in the front rows who are dancing and singing along with us, having a fun time. It brings a fun atmosphere to graduation.”

Critical Mass performs various upbeat pieces ranging from gospel music and jazz to musical theatre and pop during these ceremonies. Many student performers have developed a special connection to these events over their years at Grand Canyon University.

Tory Barton admitted that joining Critical Mass was not something she had planned initially but has since become one of her favorite experiences at university.

"This is probably my favorite of all our performances. It is a very diverse crowd of people, and we get to perform a 30-minute set of random songs. The most people we sing for is at graduation,” said Barton.

Critical Mass is open to students from any major who have a passion for singing and inspiring others through music. The group will be performing at the final six Spring Commencement ceremonies this year.