The energy in the sanctuary intensifies as hundreds of spectators rush to the stage, answering the call of Jason Roy, lead singer of Building 429, to clap and dance along with the band.
Aaron Shust and Building 429 performed at the premier of the Rock These Walls concert series for over 1,000 people on Nov. 13. One of their largest venues so far, the crowd occupied more than half of the Peoples Church sanctuary.
?It most certainly achieved our goal of bringing awareness to FCS,? Greg Quiring, Building Committee Chairman of the Capital Campaign said. ?We estimate that we had some 500 kids and parents that were not affiliated with FCS at a school-sponsored event!?
Some attendees appreciated the varying genres of Aaron Shust?s music.
?I really enjoyed the diversity of the songs on his latest album, Whispered and Shouted,? Tyler Duerr, ?10, said. ?They go from classic rock to softer moods and are all centered around the same purpose.?
According to Building 429 guitarist Jesse Garcia, the band played their favorite set which included one of their more favored songs ?Incredible?.
?I loved Building 429,? Rachel Wilhelm, ?11, said. ?They became my new best friends when my friend Keonia and I found them in the hall after the concert and we talked to them for about 15 minutes. They were all really nice and funny.?
According to Building 429, their performances produce energy and the band looks forward to seeing it reverberate through the crowd.
?The energy in Fresno wasn?t as high as some of our other concerts,? Garcia said. ?But when the kids joined us on stage it gave us a lift and energized the atmosphere.?
As Building 429 played their music, many came to the stage, clapping and jumping with the band.
?I went up with Emily Schoettler [?11] when Building 429 sang their last song,? Hannah Palmer, ?11, said. ?We sang along and jumped while praising God with the band.?
While many entertainers are in the business for money and notoriety, Aaron Shust and Building 429 perform to encourage fans to draw closer to God.
“I love what I do,” Aaron Shust said. “I look forward to having fun on stage and I want to point people to God. I want to spread a message of hope, restoration and second chances through Christ.?
FCS students will be able to attend upcoming Rock These Walls events throughout the year. The spring concert is to be announced shortly after Christmas.
?It was very gratifying to see all the people at the concert and to know that we reached a portion of our community that had maybe only heard about FCS,? Quiring said. ?They came to an event that promoted our school and what it stands for. They also heard that more events would be coming in the spring. Fresno Christian Schools is a ?happening? place and a good one to be a part of.?
For more information about the inaugral Rock These Walls concert and idea, read senior Mary Kneefel’s Oct. 14, 2007, article, Rock These Walls marshall thousands. Concert photos are also available in the photos section of this online newspaper including: Rock on Building 429, Sing, sing a song, Shust rocks out, Shust sings solo, and Rock These Walls says ‘goodnight!’.