Grad will combine faith, music at college
Stephen Dominy has received a message of the divine kind. It is the message that music must remain in his future, as it has been in his past.
"I will be attending Mercer University in Macon in the fall," said the recent Evans High School graduate. "I plan to double major in marketing and music education/ministry. I chose these majors because of the impact music has in my life, as well as my Christian walk with God. I want to promote contemporary Christian music by music ministry and teaching the youth of today the importance of music in life."
For his senior project, Stephen researched and analyzed the compositions of hymns throughout history.
"From my involvement in both church orchestra/youth choir and school music programs, I was inspired to uncover the fantastic phenomenon of music theory and the advancement of contemporary Christian music," said Stephen, the son of Darrell and Patti Dominy, of Martinez. "My participation in the high school band program taught me the understanding of arranging music. I arranged a hymn for the Columbia Middle School band to recognize their achievements over the years."
The finished piece, Ode to Joyful Brass, was set to the tune of Ode to Joy and was presented during the eighth-grade brass ensemble's winter concert.
"It was a superb experience," said Stephen, who enjoys reading and mentoring and tutoring other students.
Katie Bennett, the director of bands at Columbia Middle School, said Stephen's dedication and commitment to the concert performance was outstanding.
Stephen Dominy is an Evans High School graduate. He was nominated for a Make Kids Count profile by Katie Bennett, his former band instructor at Columbia Middle School.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"I taught Stephen in my band program here at Columbia Middle School," she said. "Over the years I have watched him grow and become a well-rounded musician and student. Stephen is very mature, eager to please and strives for perfection in all that he does."
Stephen is actively involved in many musical groups. He is in the Abilene Baptist Church orchestra, youth choir and Youth Choir Director's Council and plays with the Augusta State Conservatory Wind Ensemble.
"All of these experiences over the years have been blessings by God and a message that I must pursue the field of music as a career," said Stephen, who also was in the Evans High School wind and jazz ensembles and the marching band, where he served as drum major his senior year.
Stephen, named the Augusta Exchange Club Youth of the Year, competed in this week's Georgia Exchange Club Youth of the Year competition.
"I thank God for the opportunities he has given me as I walk down the road of life," Stephen said. "Jeremiah 29:11 is my Bible verse that gets me through the best and worst of times."
The verse states, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."