Lubbock Christian University’s premiere A Cappella group Best Friends was nominated for the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA) from the Contemporary A Cappella Society for its 2024 album Running Home and song “You Will Be Found.”
Dr. Philip Camp, Professor of Music and Director of Choirs, has directed Best Friends for the past six years. “The album was nominated in the categories of ‘Best Religious Album’ overall, and ‘Best Show Tune Song’ for ‘You Will Be Found,’ from that same album,” he explained. “We selected this song to include on the album because it does carry a positive message consistent with the message and mission of Christianity, even though it is well known to be a song from the Tony Award winning musical Dear Evan Hansen with music and lyrics by Benj Paske and Justin Paul. Our arrangement was based on the cover that was recorded by Natalie Grant and Cory Asbury.”
The nominations continue a long streak of recognition by the CARA Awards, including winning the “Best Religious Album” award in 2019 for their album, Risen.
“Since 2013, we have received consistent recognition for our albums, and these recent nominations bring us to twelve total nominations in twelve years,” Dr. Camp shared.
“Knowing that so many professional and amateur contemporary a cappella ensembles from all over the world are considered for this award, it is an outstanding honor to be listed for consideration again,” he added. “Of the groups listed below with LCU’s Best Friends, all of the groups are tremendous. I especially admire Vocal Point from Brigham Young University and the UK’s Swingle Singers as they have both done outstanding work for many years. I’ve been a fan of the Swingle Singers for a long time, as they have existed as a professional a cappella group for sixty years and are quite well known. I even heard them live at the Texas Music Educators Association conference a few years ago. To be listed in the same category with them is indeed a very high honor.”
Best Friends has represented LCU in national and international venues since 1983. The group often leads worship for youth rallies, retreats, and other worship events, and also sings concerts for community and church gatherings. Each year, the group leads worship for LCU’s Encounter summer camp, and travels across Texas and even across the country throughout the year.
This year’s group consists of students Robert Cantu, Matthew Duvall, Malaki Rodgers, Ben Haley, Jessie Holder, Ethan Christian, Raylee Moore, Bennett Hawley, and Ella Simpson.
Best Friends' latest album Running Home was released this spring and is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, and Pandora.