To close out Day of Prayer, Mark Perry ‘20 gave a concert in Carter Lobby. An intimate but eager group of students drank the last of the apple cider and surrounded the piano, sitting on the gathered chairs, couches, and cushions on the floor. The concert setting was cozy, with lots of interaction between artist and listeners, which provided an unique experience for the concertgoers and for those walking to the Blink who stopped to listen.
Perry’s set included a variety of songs, primarily written during his time as a music major at Covenant. The first section of the concert featured songs meditating on Scriptural truths. “It Goes On” and “Temporarily” are based on Dr. Kelly Kapic’s chapel lectures on finitude. “One Thing” is a humorous take on 1 Corinthians 13, complete with a kazoo solo. His setting of “Psalm 1” has been heard in chapel before and has been recorded with Marie Bowen ‘20 singing harmony.
The second portion of Perry’s set held songs written for Covenant’s annual Mountain Affair competition. Several of them made it to the Mountain Affair stage, such as last semester’s “Orpheus” or 2017’s “Orbits of the Extraordinary.” However, Perry also played songs that he auditioned but were never before heard on stage, like “Envy,” which will be presented at his senior recital in April.
Perry finished the concert with songs from his upcoming concept album “Leaden Fellow.” He hosted a successful Kickstarter concert for his album in late October. The album has already been released in its entirety to his Kickstarter backers. Due to this and the overlap in attendance between his two concerts, many of the listeners on Day of Prayer knew the songs and felt free to sing along and harmonize, contributing to the intimate dynamic of the evening. The audience even called for an encore at the end: “Pink Lemonade,” a fan favorite from “Leaden Fellow.”
As a chapel worship leader and member of Covenant’s Jazz Ensemble and Chamber Choir, Perry has exhibited versatility as a musician during his college years. In his own songs, his range is also on display. His music often has unexpected chord progressions, and idioms from jazz, folk, and other singer/songwriters find a home in his style. As a poet, he writes with great sensitivity, vulnerability, and a healthy amount of puns. Even though not all of the songs he performed to end Day of Prayer were explicitly “Christian” in content, his art was a testament to the goodness of God and the gifts that He has given his children. The delight of making and hearing music that speaks truth was a fitting end to a day of meditation on the blessings of God in the Covenant community.
Mark Perry can be found under the artist name lead+fellow and will be releasing his debut album “Leaden Fellow” incrementally this semester on Spotify and other streaming platforms. He can be supported on Instagram under “leadnfellow” or through merch such as t-shirts and physical CD copies. He will also be giving a senior recital showcasing his music compositions on April 21st, with a reception to follow.