Doug & Angie Knechtel Leave a Lasting Legacy with Band Students in California

Imagine a moment in time, standing side by side in a darkened arena, singing heartfelt worship in unison with 10,000 Christian educators. 

Take my life and let it be 
consecrated, Lord, to thee. 
Take my moments and my days; 
let them flow in endless praise. 

For Doug and Angie Knechtel, this moment is a treasured memory, not just a dream. They fondly recall that they felt overwhelmed by the experience, believing God had placed them in their new roles as Christian school music directors for a purpose. Little did they know that God’s plan included them attending their first southern California ACSI Teachers Convention in 1992.  

Today, the Knechtels are enjoying their 31st year of teaching in ACSI schools, with the last 21 of those at Linfield Christian School (LCS) in Temecula. They’ve worked together throughout the years to build programs teaching music literacy and performance skills through a variety of student experiences including band, choir, classroom music, private lessons, festivals, competitions, and international travel. 

“We're not about having a musical experience just for the sake of the music,” said Doug, who credits ACSI leadership for encouraging them to develop a philosophy of Christian education early on. “As it stands right now, I feel like that's one of the most valuable things that I received from ACSI. I don't know how I would even proceed without it.” 

Teaching music at private Christian schools was not part of Doug and Angie’s original plan. Their journey began in 1992 with an unexpected twist. At the time, Doug was working as a graphic designer and running a sign shop, and Angie was finishing her certification to teach preschool. In the process of looking for a job, she called a small Christian school in Moreno Valley to answer an ad for a preschool position. The lady who answered the phone that day recognized Angie as having played piano for her daughter’s wedding the weekend before.  

 “So that was fun, and we chatted,” Angie said. “She took my name and number, then called us back within minutes. She said the school was looking to expand their Fine Arts department and asked if I would be willing to teach piano lessons there.”  

Doug’s reputation as a musician preceded him, and the school also asked if he could start a band program. The couple brought their portfolio of work and ideas to a meeting with the school’s leadership and were soon hired full time. In addition to band and classroom music, they also took students to choir festivals and directed school musicals. The opportunity suited them well and lasted five years, until the school closed for financial reasons.  

It wasn’t long before the Knechtels were hired to start another band program, this time at Calvary Murrieta Christian School. For another five years, they taught band, choir, and classroom music, taking students to band and choir festivals along the way.  

During this tenure, ACSI conventions continued to play a pivotal role in the pair’s story, this time when they were asked to take leadership of the convention’s marching band. Doug directed the music and the students, while Angie focused on organization and administration. 

A convention tradition was for ACSI schools all over the region to send their best students, many of whom had never marched before. As many as 150 students would travel to the location, rehearsing one day and performing the next. The challenge was to take a disparate group of music students at different levels and create a cohesive ensemble in a short amount of time. Then, the band would march in, perform a couple of special selections, and close with the national anthem before heading over to Knott’s Berry Farm to perform and spend the rest of the day in the park. Doug and Angie had a blast, and they credit much of their career success to the friendships, professional development, and spiritual encouragement they received from ACSI and the teacher conventions they attended. 

Throughout the years, there were opportunities for better-paying jobs at public schools, but Doug and Angie didn’t want to teach without being able to focus on their faith. As they continue to pursue excellence in the arts with students at LCS, Doug and Angie’s guiding philosophy echoes throughout their programs. “We start with the notion that God is creative,” Doug said. “He's made us creative, and we honor Him as we grow and develop in our creative output. And so, as musicians, artists, actors, or whatever else we might be doing, all of the creative arts can be done unto the Lord, or they can be done for your own glory.” 

Take my voice and let me sing 
always, only, for my King. 
Take my lips and let them be 
filled with messages from Thee.