Sweet Notes: Brother Rice Grad Pairs Music with Christian Faith

Phil Caffee believes God has a plan for everyone, and his path was evident from the moment he came out of the womb.

In recent years, Caffee has been showcasing his musical talents at a number of churches in the area for years in hopes of inspiring others to come to church more often.

His most recent engagement came last Sunday, when he performed a concert at St. Linus Church with his teen choir, Voices of Faith, playing some songs off his newest self-titled CD and singing some music that the choir typically performs in church.  

“I thought we should have a concert and get some people into the church who don’t usually go to church,” said Caffee, who graduated from Brother Rice High School this year. “Maybe they’ll have a better relationship with Christ.”

Caffee has combined his interests in music and the Christian faith and music since he was a young child. He joined a little kids choir in third grade and his interest grew from there. His musical director saw the passion in Caffee and told him to foster it into something more.

Now Caffee works at four parishes in the area – St. Catherine, St. Linus, St. Walter and St. Christina -- and directs two teen choirs.

“I guess I’m pretty involved,” Caffee said with a laugh.

Caffee tried writing other kinds of music, but it never worked out. The lyrics didn’t turn out right, the music didn’t come together. It never flowed on pen and paper. So he stuck with Christian-themed music. And it’s turned out pretty well.

He just released a CD in June that he worked on with KBE Studios. Caffee said Kamil Bartoszcze -- one of the people he worked on his CD with at the studio – was instrumental in getting the CD produced since he began last December.

Beginning next fall, Caffee will attend Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL, where he plans to study youth ministry.

“I plan to apply [music] in my youth ministry, whether it’s being a musical director or helping children with music or whatever it may be.”

Caffee isn’t certain what the future will hold for him and his music career, but he knows that it will continue to be a part of his life. And hopefully a positive influence in the lives of others.

“I feel that it brings positivity to people who hear it,” Caffee said. “People who came to church for the very first time hearing it, they will be touched by it and hopefully they will come back.

“That’s been my goal for singing this music, is to touch the hearts of the lost and get them back into church.”

Listen to Phil Caffee's music.