The Testament grew out of a dream of two of it’s founding members. Gary Decker and Bob Hansen had visualized the implementation of a contemporary service at the RCC. At that service music would be performed live by a band and lyrics would be projected on a screen and participants urged to join in on the praise music being performed. Alycia Desmond shared that dream and working with Pastor Greg and her father, Fred Dammers, pulled the contemporary service together. The band first performed in the summer of 2009 at a contemporary service held on a Saturday night.
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| | Fred Dammers – vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboard, and hand percussion Alycia Desmond – vocals, bass guitar, guitar, hand percussion, and steel drum Gary Decker – vocals, percussion Bob Hansen – guitar and bass guitar | |
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Watch samples of their great music now:
Fred designed the band’s logo and took on the job of managing the group. This included arranging rehearsals, selecting music along with Alycia, obtaining copies of music, doing music arrangements, and setting up the bands equipment before services.
Within several months two new members were added to the band. Ellen Dammers and Pauline Alama joined as vocal back-ups and hand percussionists. The Testament Chorus has supported the band for four recent pieces. Most recently Kristin Barone, the RCC Music Director, has joined the group to provide piano on several pieces.
The band continues to play at periodic contemporary services, often repeating one of the pieces the following Sunday during the regular service. The band often fills in when the Music Director is away. They have performed at the Rutherford National Day of Prayer Service in 2010. To date they have performed over 25 different arrangements.
