Dr. Holly Swartzendruber, Associate Professor of Vocal Music, has been awarded the annual Clarence R. Hiebert Excellence in Teaching Award, the highest honor given to a faculty member at Tabor College.
Begun in the year 2000, the award is given annually to the faculty member who best exemplifies the qualities of excellent teaching at Tabor College.
These qualities include:
A strong Christian commitment
Record of excellence in teaching, as shown by peer and student reviews.
Evidence of integrating faith and learning.
Commitment to Tabor College as an institution, as shown in support of departments outside one’s own area.
Swartzendruber received the award from Provost Lawrence Ressler during the annual Honors and Awards Convocation, held May 13 at the college. In addition to a plaque and recognition at the annual spring appreciation dinner, the recipient of the Clarence R. Hiebert Award also receives a personal honorarium of $2,500.
“Dr. Swartzendruber is a special faculty member,” Ressler said. “It is clear from the comments of students that Dr. Swartzendruber is equally respected for her skills in teaching, her Christ-like character, and her relationship with students. She is well-deserving of the honor.”
A member of the Tabor faculty since 2003, among the courses taught by Swartzendruber are Vocal Pedagogy and Diction, Music Theory I and II, Ear Training/Sight Singing I and II, Introduction to Fine Arts, as well as private voice lessons.
A gifted concert soprano, Swartzendruber continues to develop her singing career through performances in faculty recitals, such as “Liederabend” and “Dueling Divas,” and as the soprano soloist in Fauré’s Requiem, Brahms’ Ein Deutches Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah.
Last fall she starred as Golde in Tabor’s centennial production of Fiddler on the Roof, and the previous year served as Music Director for the Tabor musical drama Honk!
“Dr. Swartzendruber is a fine classroom and studio teacher,” said Dr. Richard Cantwell, Professor of Instrumental Music and Chair of the Music Department, “She has the ability to balance compassion and empathy against valuable learning experiences and realistic demands for her students.She communicates equally well on the concert stage, in a tradition classroom or one-on-one relationships.”
The nominating process for the Clarence R. Hiebert Award began during the spring term, when Ressler convened an ad hoc committee consisting of the two past student Hiebert Merit Award recipients, the two immediate past Clarence R. Hiebert award recipients, and the Vice President of Student Development.
The committee received more than a dozen glowing nominations for Swartzendruber, written by faculty peers as well as current and former students. The following are excerpts:
I would like to nominate Holly Swartzendruber for the Clarence R. Hiebert Excellence in Teaching Award because I believe she exemplifies the mission of Tabor in her teaching and relations with students and other faculty. She teaches with humility despite the fact that her gifts would definitely give her reason to boast. She is a loving, caring individual who lives out her faith in an admirable way. Not to mention that her teaching ability is one of the best at Tabor.
I would like to nominate Holly Swartzendruber for the Clarence Hiebert Teaching Award. Her impact on the students she teaches in private voice is immeasurable; both on the direct impact on her students and also the impact that those matured voices have on the rest of the choir members. Her teaching style, personality, and care for her students exemplify the mission of Tabor College: to prepare students for a life of learning, work and service for Christ and his Kingdom.
Holly has touched not only my life, but so many lives that have taken voice lessons from her during their years at Tabor College.Holly is an amazing teacher that goes out of her way to make sure all of her students are learning and becoming the best adults they can so that they can make this world a better place.I see no one better for this award than Holly.
Dr. Swartzendruber has been an extreme influence in my view of Tabor, my life goals, and is an excellent role model of how a Christian woman should live out her life for Christ.As seen by her incredible growing resume and experience, she is never satisfied by complacency, but strives to make Tabor a thriving source of the highest education.
Her commitment to Christ is evident in how she treats her students and colleagues, and her tireless devotion to be the best at what gifts God has given her to bless others.She deserves to be honored for her hard work.
Swartzendruber holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kansas, a Master of Music in vocal performance from Ohio University, and a Bachelor of Arts in music, from Goshen College. She is married to Dr. Douglas B. Miller, Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies and Chair of the Bible, Religion, and Philosophy Department.
“I am honored to have served in such a strong music department with wonderful colleagues,” said Swartzendruber. “It has been a privilege to work with Tabor students, both in the classroom and in my voice studio.”
The premiere performance of“Sun, Moon and Stars,” a cantata for mixed choir, baritone solo, and orchestra written especially for the 100th Anniversary of Tabor College by composer and pianist Dr. Larry Warkentin of Fresno, Calif., was the highlight the Tabor College Centennial Spring Concert, held Sunday, May 10.
Warkentin, Professor Emeritus at Fresno Pacific University, is a distinguished alumnus of Tabor College, who has composed numerous works which have been performed by the Fresno Philharmonic, The Tulare (Calif.) Symphony, the Festival Quartet of Canada, and many choirs in North America and Europe.
The premiere of “Sun, Moon and Stars” encompassed seven sections and was performed by the Tabor College Oratorio Chorus and the Tabor College Community Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Bradley Vogel, Professor of Choral Music. The piece included a baritone solo sung by Justin Moore, a junior from Hillsboro, Kan., and concluded with the combined choir, orchestra, and audience singing Great is Thy Faithfulness.
Warkentin, who was born in 1940 in Reedley, Calif., arrived at Tabor in 1958, where the young pianist was chosen to accompany the Tabor Choir under the direction of musical giants Herbert Richert and Paul Wohlgemuth.
“The musical idea for the composition comes from my experience as accompanist for the Tabor Male Octet during the years that Richert was music director,” Warkentin said.
In addition to the new cantata, the Centennial Concert included a performance by the Tabor College Symphonic Band, conducted by Dr. Richard Cantwell, Professor of Instrumental Music and Chair of the Music Department. The Tabor College Concert Choir, conducted by Dr.Vogel, also performed.
Dr. Shiela Litke, Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy, performed Piano Concerto in E Major, Op. 59 by Moritz Moszkowski, accompanied by the Community Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Cantwell.
The premier performance of “Sun, Moon and Stars,” a cantata for mixed choir, baritone solo, and orchestra, will highlight the Tabor College Centennial Spring Concert, at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 10, in the Tabor College Gymnasium.
Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
The new cantata was written especially for the 100th Anniversary of the college by distinguished Tabor alum, composer and pianist Dr. Larry Warkentin of Fresno, Calif.
Warkentin, Professor Emeritus at Fresno Pacific University, was asked by the late Dr. Jonah Kliewer, Professor Emeritus of Music, to write a piece for choir and orchestra for the historic concert. Kliewer’s request was made on behalf of the Tabor Centennial Committee, which commissioned the work.
In addition to the cantata, the Centennial Concert includes a performance by the Tabor College Symphonic Band, conducted by Dr. Richard Cantwell, Professor of Instrumental Music and Chair of the Music Department. The band will play Declaration Overture, by Claude T. Smith; Holy, Holy, Holy, arranged by Lari Goss; and, Fanfare Prelude: “And Can It Be?” by Charles Wesley, arranged by Timothy Johnson.
The Tabor College Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. Bradley Vogel, Professor of Choral Music, will perform A Song of Praise by Gwyneth Walker; My Jesus, I Love Thee, arranged by Jay Rouse; and, John the Revelator, arranged by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory.
Dr. Shiela Litke, Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy, will perform Piano Concerto in E Major, Op. 59 by Moritz Moszkowski, accompanied by the Community Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Richard Cantwell.
Warkentin has composed numerous works for vocal solo, piano solo, chamber ensembles, choir, and orchestra, which have been performed by the Fresno Philharmonic, The Tulare (Calif.) Symphony, the Festival Quartet of Canada, and by many choirs in North America and Europe. His piano piece Academic Variations won first prize in the California Music Teachers Association competition.
The work encompasses seven sections, is 30 minutes long, and includes a baritone solo, to be sung by Justin Moore, a junior from Hillsboro, Kan. The piece concludes with the combined choir, orchestra, and audience singing Great is Thy Faithfulness.
Warkentin, who was born in 1940 in Reedley, Calif., arrived at Tabor in 1958, where the young pianist was chosen to accompany the Tabor Choir under the direction of musical giants Herbert Richert and Paul Wohlgemuth.
“The musical idea for the composition comes from my experience as accompanist for the Tabor Male Octet during the years that Richert was music director,” Warkentin said.
In 1962, Warkentin earned his degree, married his Tabor College sweetheart, Paula (Berg) Warkentin of Wichita, Kan., and moved back to California to begin teaching at Fresno Pacific College. He went on to earn his master’s degree at California State University, Fresno, and his doctorate at the University of Southern California. He taught piano performance and music composition at Fresno Pacific for 40 years before his retirement in 2002.
In retirement, Warkentin has performed in recitals at FPU, including an appearance with renowned flutist, Paul Fried, and bass soloist, Andrew Funk. In 2004 he presented an all-Chopin recital in Gdansk, Poland. In 2007, with baritone soloist Milton Friesen, he performed his own compositions entitled Eleven Little Love Songs, which is now available on CD.
The Warkentins, who have two adult children and two grandchildren, enjoy traveling and attend North Fresno Mennonite Brethren church, where he still serves on the Music Committee and accompanies the choir.
When the time comes, the composer says he will be more than happy to let Dr. Vogel conduct his new piece.
The last performance of the band tour brought us to OBA. OBA is the alma matter of my good friend Heidi Schmidt, 2008 Tabor alum. Before the concert started I was able to meet Jamie Clark, Sonya Kim, and Marie Remp who are interested in Tabor. They visited campus for the Girlfriend Getaway visit day. I was happy to finally get the chance to meet them since I was not apart of this all girls event.
Sonya, Jamie, and Marie
Rich explained the different types of music that would be played.
Jack Tar March
Lisa Hall
Mid performance Rich Cantwell wanted to showcase Lisa Hall during the song Dizzy Fingers. He moved her stand so the crowd could see her play, she competed the remander of the song without her music by memory!
After a night of bad weather we headed for Enid. I left early since I had heard that north Enid had been hit by a tornado the night before. The tornado hit only about a mile from the church. There was a path of insulation where the tornado chewed threw homes and business. Thank goodness everyone was ok! I arrived at the church to see Toby Berg class of 2008 who is a youth pastor at the church. I have known Toby since my freshman year at Tabor since he was my roommate. It was great to get the chance to hangout and catch up.
Toby Berg & Jeff Harms class of 2008
Band at Enid MB
Elfrieda Buller class of 1964 Elementry Education Major
Rodger Ediger Tabor College Board Member, Attourney in Enid
Don & Erma Gerbrandt, Quentin Brand’s grandparents
I immediately felt welcomed at the Corn MB church. The design makes it look stunningly similar to the Ulysses MB where I grew up! It was exciting finally getting the chance to visit after getting to know some recruits from Corn. I was excited to see Lendon Warkentin and Curtis Dick at the concert. They are recruits for the class of 2013.
Sanctuary at Corn MB
TC Band & Corn Band
They practiced for only a few minutes together before playing together for the concert!
The next stop for the day was in Oklahoma City at the Memorial for the Oklahoma City bombing. This was the first time I had the chance to be there. The memorial honors the victims, survivors, and rescuers and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995.
Field of Empty Chairs
Each of the 168 chairs symbolize a life lost. Each bronze and stone chair rests on a glass base etched with the name of a victim.
The Gates of time
The twin gates frame the moment of destruction 9:01 and 9:03.
The Fence
The first fence installed to protect the site of the building. Almost immediately, people begain to leave tokens of love and hope on the fence.
The fence is probably the most powerful attraction at the memorial. Seeing little notes from family, friends, and strangers who are still mourning.
Clothes pins
For the bands performance they played under the survivor tree. The wind did not subside for the band to play so the band members used several clothes pins to keep their music from running away.
A new tactic was to keep one foot on the stand to keep it from blowing over!
Band under survivor tree
Mary Cornelson was able to come to the concert! It was great getting the chance to see her. Durring the performance I found out that Mary is actually a survivor of the bombing. She was only one and a half blocks away when it happened!
The next stop for the day was at the Memorial Road Mennonite Brethren Church in Edmond Ok. This is a beautiful church that was built around ten years ago. They are in the process of adding on another wing adding classrooms to accomidate their growing church family. The design was absolutely beautiful.
Beautiful Sanctuary
Steve & Kersten Klassen class of 1998
Sandra Gililland class of 2000
Working at Variety Health Center
a non-profit providing parental care, family planning, pediatrics, and nutrition and health education to low income women and children.
Bryan Wahl class of 2002
Working as a youth pastor at Memorial Road MB
Al & Kristin with their children Ben and Sarah Friesen
Al class of 1982 was one of the first Accounting Majors. Their children Ben and Sarah are currently attending Tabor and are apart of the Band.
