Hesston College Chorale to “shine the light” in Europe and at home through music
The Hesston College Chorale under the direction of Dr. Russell Adrian and Ken Rodgers will present a music program entitled “Shine the Light” at churches in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France May 17 to June 7, 2022. The choir will perform a send-off concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at Hesston Mennonite Church. A free-will offering will be taken to help offset tour expenses.
The chorale will give twelve concerts in various churches. Tour members will also take in the history and culture of cities such as Amsterdam, Hamburg, Leipzig and Zurich. The trip features visits to important sites in Anabaptist history, as well as visits to important European cathedrals and several world-famous museums. One trip highlight will be a two-day stay in the Swiss Alps. Prior to the trip, chorale members will attend lectures on European history and fine arts by Rodgers. Students will complete written and oral presentations on topics related to the tour.
“We are keenly aware that we’re visiting these communities during times of acute stress,” said Dr. Adrian. “Between the ongoing Covid pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, people are exhausted, worried and fearful. Music can shine light in the midst of that darkness. That’s our hope for this tour.”
The 25-voice mixed ensemble is composed of members of Bel Canto Singers and Global Voices that combine on biennial international tours. The performance will include music from a variety of genres, including spirituals, folk songs and gospel music. Musical interludes will feature soloists and small groups from within the chorale. Tour itinerary, program and livestream link for the home concert can be found at hesston.edu/music.
Hesston College Chorale members include Anna Banman of Lenexa, Kan.; Bethany Masters of Mount Eaton, Ohio; Kelly Miller of Archbold, Ohio; Isaac Tice of Buhler, Kan.; Matthew Manickam and Rachel Teeter of Hesston, Kan.; Alyssa Burkholder of Goessel, Kan.; Meg Beyer, Sam Groff, Luke Huyard, Kara Longenecker, Ginny Miller, Rachel Weaver and Toby Yoder of Harrisonburg, Va.; Alyssa Nolt of Dalton, Ohio; Sadie Oesch of Caldwell, Idaho; Luke Allison of Freeman, S.D.; Jack Shingler of Kidron, Ohio; Jesse Kanagy of Lancaster, Pa.; and Aidan Swartzendruber of Henderson, Neb.
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