Winds of Triumph, Howard Payne University’s student instrumental church ensemble, has performed in a number of locations recently, including at games of the three National Basketball Association (NBA) teams in Texas.
Winds of Triumph Director Stephen Goacher, professor of music, said, “This year has been a special blessing to us. The students were faithful in their preparation beginning in August before we had any idea what the year would bring. God’s eyes are constantly searching the earth to find those preparing to serve him. We are humble that He found us faithful and could send us.”
On November 12, Winds of Triumph traveled to San Antonio to play for the Spurs Faith & Family Night Game against the Philadelphia 76ers. After playing for thousands of fans Saturday night, the ensemble performed Sunday morning at First Baptist Church, New Braunfels.
On January 27, Winds of Triumph traveled to Dallas to perform at the Dallas Mavericks’ game against the Houston Rockets. The ensemble performed at the AT&T Plaza of the American Airlines Center and then performed “My Redeemer Lives!” on the floor of the arena for the pregame show. The following day, Winds of Triumph performed for Southwest Christian School in Fort Worth. On Saturday, January 29, they traveled to Oklahoma City, to perform at First Baptist Church, Norman, Oklahoma.
Most recently, the ensemble completed the tour of all three Texas NBA teams with an invitation to perform for the Houston Rockets in their game against the New Jersey Nets. Winds of Triumph played their praise music and hymns to hundreds of fans on the concourse of Houston’s Toyota Center.
They traveled on to Conroe later that night, and performed at First Baptist Church of Conroe on Sunday morning. The response to their musical offering was so overwhelming that the pastor asked the congregation to come forward and lay hands on the students and pray for them.
The members of Winds of Triumph are: Reeds – Jaimie Trayler, freshman from Poolville, TX, and Allen Andrus, sophomore from Andrus, TX; French Horn – Taylor Cook, freshman from Howe, TX; Trumpet – Talitha Cook, senior from Howe, TX, and Grant Newman, junior from Springtown, TX; Trombone – Tyler Matthews, sophomore from Weatherford, TX, and Kimberly Collins, junior from Bay City, TX; Piano – Elizabeth Bates, senior from Grandview, TX; Guitar – Tyler Cooper, sophomore from Bangs, TX; Bass – Kyle Ziegler, senior from Brownwood, TX; and Drums – Jose Lopez, senior from Brownwood, TX.
(photo by Kalie Lowrie)
Top Photo: HPU’s Winds of Triumph performed at Houston’s Toyota Center on Feb. 26 during the Houston Rockets game against the New Jersey Nets.
