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Bio |
Honesty.
Introspection. Integrity. Passion. Focus. These are things
Derek Sandstrom wants out of life, and they come through in
his music. Since dedicating his life and music to Jesus Christ,
these are things that have become foundational to Derek, and
he seeks to share them through every performance of music
he offers.
Derek owes many people thanks for his foundation of faith,
including his parents, grandparents, and home church in Abington,
PA, for introducing him to what it means to follow God in
real life. Derek recalls how his grandfather's prayers always
included a request for “a closer walk with Thee.” In time
Derek would grow to understand what that means and just how
important it is.
Music has always meant a lot to
Derek. From figuring out hymns and commercial jingles on
a small, electronic organ, to participating in his school's
music program as a student, to performing music at the highest
levels including at Carnegie Hall with the Indiana University
of Pennsylvania Chorale, to belting it out as the lead singer
of rock bands, Derek has sampled a wide array of musical
performing. Music is as ingrained in Derek as breathing,
and he can't imagine life without it.
Another thing he can't imagine life without is family. From
growing up in the Philadelphia area in a Christian home
to starting his own family with his college sweetheart,
Sheri, family is extremely important to Derek. “Family is
a series of illustrations of God's love and care for us,”
says Derek, “and it gives us incredible opportunities for
growth.” Derek and Sheri have two wonderful boys: Morgan,
6, and Carter, 2. They live in central Pennsylvania, between
Harrisburg and York.
What kind of a musician is Derek? He is a singer, a songwriter,
a composer, an arranger, an instrumentalist, a teacher,
and a lover of music. He has played in hard rock bands,
saxophone quartets, jazz ensembles, classical wind ensembles,
choral groups of all configurations, and marching bands.
He has written music for himself, for bands, for choirs.
He loves music of all kinds. “It's like flavors of ice cream
to me, “ he says. “There's nothing wrong with vanilla, but
sometimes you want something different. There are so many
different kinds of music out there, and all of them with
some type of beauty. I'm blessed to have tried making so
many!”
These days Derek's music is still about his own heart, but
it's mostly about what Jesus has done there. And he still
tries to give folks a smile with his music, like when he
goes to play big band music for nursing homes.
What is the future for Derek's music? He doesn't know. But
with God at the helm, you can be sure it will be something
very special and powerful. “The unknown can be scary. But
I have put my future, and my family's future, in God's hands.
So we have no reason to fear.”
Thank you, Lord, for yesterday. Thank you for today. Bring
on tomorrow.
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