Behind the Scenes with the Worship Teams: A Team Y Perspective 

“Goofy, fun and amazing.” This is how Noah Hayes (’26), an electric guitarist for the worship team, described his team, team Y. Team Y is one of the three worship teams at Hope that make up the larger worship community. Team X, Y, and Z alternate playing at Chapel and at the Gathering. This week, the Anchor interviewed some team members from team Y and queried about preparing for services, on-stage worship, team chemistry and more. Team Y’s uniqueness is expressed in the genre of music they play, which the members have described as a folk style. 

First, the Anchor spoke with Ellie Dirkse (‘25), a co-leader for team Y, who plays the keyboard and sings. Dirkse described the preparation that goes into worship services. “We pick two songs for chapel, which we try to do a week or two in advance.” Rehearsals aren’t the only factor that goes into service preparation as tech control plays an extensive part. Emily Drape (27’) a technician for team Y, shared the technical details of setting up. “I come in before rehearsals. . . I set up before Gatherings.” Drape controls the lights and slides during services where team Y is performing. Overseeing all three worship teams is Bruce Benedict, the chaplain of worship arts at Hope. “Bruce fosters and leads really well,” Dirkse noted. “He’s just a really good mentor to all, and this year he’s taking on a coaching role, so he can really mentor the leaders, and I think that’s really impactful.”

After this preparation, it’s go time. The Anchor asked each member about what it’s like on stage. “I’m usually just more excited . . . every once in a while I’ll get nervous, but then I remember that it’s all for God,” Hayes said. Drape described what it’s like watching from the tech booth. “When we’re doing services, I love watching them,” she said. “There’s joy that you can see when they’re all playing,” Dirkse explained that her favorite part of being on stage is leading in worship. “There’s just a different kind of connection I have with God when I’m able to just lead, and be myself.” 

Worship, for all three members, has been enhanced through their participation on the worship team. “At first, before joining the worship team, I saw worship as just singing. . . but worship is more than that, it’s an ongoing thing with the Lord,” Hayes expressed. Drape learned that worship can take different forms. “I might not be on stage performing. . . but I’m worshiping just as much. I’m probably dancing harder than they are on stage, just nobody can see it,” she added, smiling. Dirkse included her perspective: “I worship authentically so that the Lord can use me for other people to worship in the ways that they feel most comfortable. Team Y is made up of eleven members. Dirkse described the team chemistry: “In years past it’s been harder to come together, but I think this year it’s been so pointed towards Christ,” she mentioned. “We’re just here to worship God. We’re gonna make mistakes, but it’s not about us.” Hayes echoed this sentiment. “We hope everyone in Chapel or the Gathering sees God through the music we play and our actions as a team.” Drape talked about the friendships she’s had. “I’ve gotten closer to the friends I already knew, and I’ve become friends with people I never thought I’d get to be friends with. . . We’re always willing to go the extra mile for each other.” 

Both Hayes and Drape have learned new skills from participating on the team. Hayes discussed how he learned new talents with the electric guitar. “It’s the first time I’ve played rhythm electric to that extent. . . I’ve never had all the pedal boards to play all of the sound effects.” Drape learned how to maneuver the tech equipment. “During the services, I’m usually running the slides. . . I have to know what they’re [team Y] doing and know when to queue.” Dirkse, who is graduating this spring, reflected on her time on the worship team and described what she hopes for the future. “For me, it’s been different every year . . . The senior class has pushed so much about making this about God. . . I think that is what I want to keep pushing for, and I hope that that is the direction it keeps going in.” 

Team Y embodies the spirit of community and collaboration within Hope’s worship teams, bringing a unique and vibrant “folk” style to Chapel services and the Gathering. Team Y is just one group that makes up the greater worship community at Hope. To reiterate what Drape mentioned, worship can come in many forms. For students who are interested in advancing worship, Drape has a simple recommendation: “Find your community, because it is there to be found.” To stay updated with team Y, follow their Instagram @worshipteamy. 

(Featured image source: Ellie Dirkse)