By Darcy Hickey
A&E Assistant
He’s got the notes, but he’s still working on the rhythm.
“I have been involved in music all of my life, but dancing is definitely not my forte,” Songfest host Peter Wilson said. “Sometimes I watch my feet moving and realize that more times than not, they are not doing the same thing as the person’s next to me.”
This year, Wilson, who is part of Pepperdine’s a cappella singing group Won by One, decided that the opportunity to have as much fun as he did last year in Songfest was too great to pass up.
“Songfest is a time to escape from the stresses of singing in my everyday life, and a way to just have fun with the talents God has given me,” Wilson said.
Knowing he wanted to be a part of this year’s show, he was faced with the decision to either join a group or apply to be a host. After a lot of thought and prayer, he decided the leadership position of host was one for him.
“I have a passion for music and leadership, and I knew this would be a fun and creative experience,” Wilson said. “I also wanted the experience of working with such talented and committed performers.”
Unlike cast members who are not required to have any musical or dance experience, a host must be comfortable singing, acting and dancing in front of an audience, know how to read music and have a witty and charismatic personality.
“I feel really blessed to be given the talents I have,” Wilson said. “It gives me such joy to perform. I wish everyone could experience that.”
In this year’s production, “Songfest: The Musical! Reel Songs, Reel Stories, Reel Different,” cast members must re-tell a movie as a musical with a soundtrack and choreography. The audience will be challenged to identify the feature from different genres — action, romance, silent film, suspense or comedy.
“Working with such a small group of hosts, we were able to bond quickly,” Wilson said. “We have a blast in practice, because everyone plays off of each other’s personalities, creating endless laughter — of course it helps that everything seems funny at midnight.”
To develop an entertaining and organized show, Wilson and the other hosts rehearsed music, dialogue and dance two times a week since January. Two weeks before opening night they progressed to two-hour rehearsals, five days a week.
“The long practice hours, slacking on homework and missing out on seeing friends is definitely worth the benefits I receive as a part of such an amazing production,” Wilson said.
Songfest is not the first musical experience Wilson has had. He has performed in choirs and musicals since the seventh grade.
“I was extremely shy until my choir director forced me to sing a solo in eighth grade,” Wilson said. “That moment I realized that I could do it.”
Wilson, still having a passion for voice in college, joined Abilene Christian University’s a cappella group, The Light. When traveling with the group, Wilson met Jeremy Johnson of Won by One. Johnson was impressed by Wilson’s voice and asked if he would try out for Pepperdine’s group the following year.
Wilson decided to take a chance and tried out for Won by One.
“Music is so important to me,” Wilson said. “It isn’t a big enough emphasis in schools, but what would the world be without music? It is the universal language. Trying out for the group was the best decision of my life.”
As a senior, Wilson will have to leave Won by One after this summer. It will be especially hard to leave, Wilson says, because of the friendship he has been able to develop with senior Kelli Isaac. She is the only member who has been in Won by One every year Wilson has.
““She has been the life of group every year, and I respect her immensely for her servant’s heart,” Wilson said.
Without Won by One, Wilson would not be where he is today.
“Through the group, God led me to different aspects of Pepperdine that I may have never been able to experience.”
Songfest is one of those experiences.
“Songfest is about bringing people together whether they are in a fraternity or not,” Wilson said. “If they were friends before or not, what year in school they are in, or what ethnicity they are. It is about everyone coming together and performing for God.”
Personal
Name: Peter Wilson
Class: Senior
Major: Religion
Hometown: Portland, Ore.
What he does when he wakes up: Checks his e-mail
Biggest pet peeve: Feet, and when people eat crunchy cereal with their mouths wide open.
What’s special about home: Lakes, mountains and beaches are all within hours of each other.
Musical inspiration: “My voice teacher/choir director, Janine Kirstein, made me who I am by forcing me to leap out of my realm of comfort as a vocalist.”
On being the son of a preacher man: “It was hard, but I was able to see that God and family, not material things are what is most important in life.”
Favorite Songfest song last year: “Work,” by former Won by One co-member Jeremy Johnson. “He is an amazing musician, a special guy and a great friend,”
Simple joy in life: “Being able to turn on a worship song, sit there and soak in the words and music behind it is such a blessing to me.”
Favorite cafeteria food: The BBQ chicken salad. “I enjoy bumming points off of freshman girls.”
Interesting fact: He recorded a voice-over for a child’s educational toy. “It’s funny that little children will be listening to me teach them about phonics. There’s just something wrong with that picture.”
March 13, 2003
