CHURCH
Chruch Involvement
While Solomon was going to High River Baptist Church in Grade 8, Solomon's dad asked his brother if he wanted to learn bass for church, as there was a lack of Bassists on worship teams. His brother didn't show direct interest, but Solomon was intrigued by the Bass, so he agreed to learn. Solomon's dad (who was his Band Teacher) taught him how to play one day after school in a little Senator Riley practice room. Solomon instantly fell in love with the Bass as a new challenge that was attainable with some good work. The joy of playing Bass for Solomon was that he could finally play the music he was listening to. Solomon started playing Bass in the Senator Riley Jazz Band and found a Bass Teacher who helped cement his technique and music theory.
When the chance came, Solomon began to play on worship teams at church every other week. One of the challenges that comes with worship music is that you have one practice beforehand, and then you play in front of the whole church. Though this is tough, Solomon loved the challenge and grew with it so fast. Solomon used the knowledge from his Jazz studies and applied it to Worship Bass. This opportunity to play on worship teams gave him the chance to play on a consistent level with good musicians with minimal practice time. Just last year, Solomon began to go to church at a small Church in High River called Providence Baptist Chruch, and has been able to play there once or twice a month.
Solomon in Grade 11 playing electric bass at High River Baptist Church
In Solomon's Grade 6 and 7, he had the opportunity to play in a Christmas Church Orchestra, led by his dad, Mr. Paul Stelter. During this time, Solomon played some classic hymns, contemporary Christian music, and classical pieces. They played, accompanying the congregation and independently for prelude, special music, and postlude. This was a great extracurricular activity through which Solomon could test his musical ability and play with some great musicians.
Solomon playing Tuba with the High River Baptist Church Orchestra
Summer Camp Involvement
In Solomon's summer of Grade 9, he volunteered at a small camp in the foothills called Mill Creek Camp. The next year, he worked the full summer out there and got the side position as the Bassist for worship. Though the music wasn't particularly difficult, Solomon played twice a day each day all summer. Last year,
Solomon began working at a bigger camp called SABC. At this time, he was playing Bass twice a day, each week there was a different band, sometimes transposing music in performance. This was a wonderful chance to grow as a musician, and like at church, play on a consistent level with good musicians with minimal practice time. Solomon has been accepted for another summer at SABC, so he will get this chance again.
Solomon playing Electric Bass at SABC
Solomon playing Electric Bass for a room full of campers, at SABC
Videos:
This is Solomon in Grade 10 playing Electric Bass with his dad's worship team. In this setting, Solomon's job is not to be flashy, but to lay down a solid Bass line to help the worship team lead the congregation in worship.
This is "Because He Lives" by Bill and Gloria Gaither, on a joint service between Providence Baptist Chruch, and the Christian Reformed Chruch on Easter Sunday. On this song, Solomon is in Grade 12 playing the Upright Bass with his dad's worship team.
This is Solomon in his summer of Grade 11 at Southern Alberta Bible Camp playing Bass on "My Lighthouse," by Rend Collective.
Here is "He Shall Reign Forevermore," by Chris Tomlin. This is Christmas of Solomon's Grade 11 year, preparing for a service led by him and his siblings.