A Truett McConnell University (TMU) master’s student is using her time between classes to pursue a lifelong passion for music with her first released single, “Even Here.”
Melanie Beeman, a 2018 graduate of TMU, and current Master of Arts in Professional Counseling student said this song stems from the “many seasons of unknowns and waiting on Jesus over the past couple of years.”
With the help of friends Sean Hill and Ashley Fruhling, Beeman wrote the lyrics to describe this time in her life. “The verses of ‘Even Here’ remind us of who God is even when we feel like He isn’t listening, or that we no longer have a purpose, or that we are forgotten. He reveals Himself to us again because His love for us is beyond our comprehension.”
“The chorus,” she explains, “is kind of a prayer to God about how we wait on God no matter what comes because He is our peace in the waiting. He is more than enough in the trial, in the waiting, in any season of life.”
Spiritual growth
Beeman also credits her years at Truett McConnell to being a time of spiritual growth. “Through my professors, mentors and Bible studies/community groups on TMU’s campus, I grew closer to Jesus and gained a community of believers.”
During her four years of psychology studies, Beeman participated in TMU’s Chorale, a vocal performance group led by Dr. Ken Gabrielse, Dean of The Felix Manz School of Music, and Dr. Becky Lombard, Professor of Music and Fine Arts.
“Here,” she says, “I gained experience reading music and strengthening my voice. However, more than that, they taught me how to worship Jesus in life and in music. I am so thankful for my time in Chorale. Some of my sweetest moments with Jesus in worship were in practice or when we would travel around to churches to lead worship.”
With the recent release, the young artist has not had much time to plan future writing, but says, “I would love to gain more experience in writing and recording music.”
For now, her dream is to continue pursuing her master’s degree and eventually, she hopes “to help and advocate for people who struggle with mental illness.”
To listen or download the song, visit Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, or Amazon Music.
Feature photo by Jenny Gregory/TMU
