Tabor College Music

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.

For more photos of the Centennial Spring Concert, Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/taborcollege/sets/72157617910586617/

The Tabor College Symphonic Band, including the Jazz Band, Flute Ensemble and Bluejays’ Pep Band, will perform its Home Concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3, in the College Chapel-Auditorium. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

According to Dr. Richard Cantwell, Director of the Symphonic Band and instrumental ensembles, the Home Concert will contain a variety of music performed during concerts given in Oklahoma during the band’s annual Spring Tour, April 23 to 27.

“Providing a wide variety of music for the audience and the ability to play many different styles for the audience’s enjoyment is a goal and desire of each individual and the group,” said Cantwell, who is in his 11th year of directing music at the college and also serves as Chairman of the Music Department.

This year the band is featuring student soloists Corina Neufeld, oboist, from Denver, Colo.; marimba players Lisa Hall, McPherson, Kan., and Joel McCoy, Olathe, Kan.; and, trumpet player Eric Funk, Littleton, Colo.

The Symphonic Band members are selected by audition and come from across the United States. The Jazz Band and Flute Ensemble members are selected from members of the Symphonic Band. The Jazz Band will be performing a variety of “Big Band” and “Swing Band” selections. The Flute Ensemble literature will be selected from classical and sacred selections.

“The ensemble members are individually fine players, but combining the individual abilities into a fine performance organization is an enjoyable and rewarding challenge,” Cantwell said. “Making beautiful music, making energizing music, making music fun and enjoyable are all desires of the ensemble.”

Dr. Cantwell holds a Doctorate in Music Arts Degree in Instrumental and Choral Conducting from the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City having worked extensively with Dr. Glenn Block and Dr. Eph Ehly. He is married to Dr. Linda Cantwell, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Tabor College.

The Tabor College Symphonic Band, including the Jazz Band, Flute Ensemble and Bluejays’ Pep Band, will perform a series of free public concerts in Oklahoma during its annual Spring Tour, April 23 to 27, 2009.

According to Dr. Richard Cantwell, Director of the Symphonic Band and instrumental ensembles, a variety of music will be performed at different venues, beginning with the group’s first performance, at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 23, at the Mennonite Brethren Church, in Fairview, Okla.

“Providing a wide variety of music for the audience and the ability to play many different styles for the audience’s enjoyment is a goal and desire of each individual and the group,” said Cantwell, who is in his 11^th year of directing music at the college and also serves as Chairman of the Music Department.

“Instrumental music has a very different effect on its audience than piano or choral music,” Cantwell added. “The variety in timbres is greater and individually unique. The contrast in musical style is broader and more diverse. The resonances are thin and thick in nature. The dynamic levels are various and can become overwhelming.”

This year the band is featuring student soloists Corina Neufeld, oboist, from Denver, Colo.; marimba players Lisa Hall, McPherson, Kan., and Joel McCoy, Olathe, Kan.; and, trumpet player Eric Funk, Littleton, Colo.

The Symphonic Band members are selected by audition and come from across the United States. The Jazz Band and Flute Ensemble members are selected from members of the Symphonic Band.

The Jazz Band will be performing a variety of “Big Band” and “Swing Band” selections. The Flute Ensemble literature will be selected from classical and sacred selections.

“The ensemble members are individually fine players, but combining the individual abilities into a fine performance organization is an enjoyable and rewarding challenge,” Cantwell said. “Making beautiful music, making energizing music, making music fun and enjoyable are all desires of the ensemble.”

Other performances include:

* Friday, April 24, Memorial Road Mennonite Brethren Church in Edmond, Okla., at 7 p.m.

* Saturday, April 25, Oklahoma National Memorial, in Oklahoma City, followed by an evening concert at the Corn Mennonite Brethren Church, in Corn, Okla.

* Sunday, April 26, the band will provide music during the morning worship service at the church in Corn. After a lunch at the church, the band will travel to Enid, Okla., for a concert at the Enid Mennonite Brethren Church, at 6:00 pm.

* Monday, April 27, the ensembles will perform at the Oklahoma Bible Academy, Enid, Okla., before returning home to Hillsboro.

Upon returning to Hillsboro, the band will perform its Home Concert at 4 p.m., Sunday, May 3, in the College Chapel-Auditorium.

Dr. Cantwell holds a Doctorate in Music Arts Degree in Instrumental and Choral Conducting from the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City having worked extensively with Dr. Glenn Block and Dr. Eph Ehly. He is married to Dr. Linda Cantwell, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Tabor College.

Celebrating its 100^th year, Tabor College is a four-year Christian liberal arts institution located in Hillsboro, Kan., with a second campus, the School for Adult and Graduate Studies, in Wichita, Kan. Visit us at www.tabor.edu.

To learn more about the Tabor College Music Programs, visit http://www.tabor.edu/undergraduate/academic-programs/music.

Tabor College Concert Band

DaQuon Anderson, Ardmore, Okla., Trombone; Hanna Bishop, Hays, Kan., Bass Clarinet; Timothy Butler, Hillsboro, Kan., Percussion; Andrew Corl, Abilene, Kan., Baritone; Heather Deckert, Minot, N.D., Clarinet; Emily Dick, Kingman, Kan., Clarinet; Erin Dick, Corn, Okla., Alto Saxophone; Meghann Eblen, Leavenworth, Kan., Bassoon/Baritone; Darren Enns, Hillsboro, Kan., Trombone; Aaron Epp, Henderson, Neb., Trombone; Ben Friesen, Guthrie, Okla., Baritone Saxophone; Mitch Friesen, Newton, Kan., Percussion; Sarah Friesen, Guthrie, Okla., Flute; Eric Funk, Littleton, Colo., Trumpet; Katie Gerber, Wichita, Kan., Flute; Steven Gramza, Olathe, Kan., Double Bass; Lisa Hall, McPherson, Kan., Percussion; Jeff Harden, Ashland, Kan., Trombone; Melissa Just, DeSoto, Kan., Flute; Alyssa King, Wichita, Kan., Flute; Shawn Malone, Junction City, Kan., Percussion; Joel McCoy, Olathe, Kan., Percussion; Corina Neufeld, Denver, Colo., Oboe; Andrew Pankratz, Abilene, Kan., French Horn; Jenae Pauls, Inman, Kan., Flute; Janae Rempel, Meade, Kan., Clarinet; Elissa Richert, Hillsboro, Kan., Contrabass Clarinet; Amy Schmidt, Corn, Okla., Flute; Emily Schmidt, Bel Aire, Kan., Flute; Aaron Stepanek, Hillsboro, Kan., Trumpet; Megan Souter, Fairview, Okla., Flute; Kayla Tonne, Ashland, Kan., Flute; Allison Trollope, Kingman, Kan., Alto Saxophone; Kelsey Unruh, Hillsboro, Kan., Alto Saxophone; Travis Unruh, Shafter, Calif., Trumpet; Mattie Vance, Concordia, Kan., Clarinet; David Vogel, Hillsboro, Kan., Trombone; Brandon Voth, Lynden, Wash., Clarinet; Danae Warkentin, Corn, Okla., Clarinet; Julie Wiens, Fresno, Calif., Percussion/Piano; Stephanie Wiens, Fresno, Calif., Flute/Piccolo; Briana Willems, Sedgwick, Kan., Percussion; and, Allen Yoder, Kingman, Kan., Trumpet.

Pianist Nathanael May has canceled his performance scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, at the college.

The Tabor College Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Bradley D. Vogel, Professor of Choral Music, will perform a free public concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 5, at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.

The choir recently returned from its Spring Tour, in which it gave 10 concerts, from March 19 to March 27, in Kansas, Colorado, and California.

The concert, entitled “The Aroma of Christ,” is based on 2 Corinthians 2:15 and explores the themes of Christ in the World, Christ in Us, and With Christ in Eternity.

“The concert repertoire is designed with the aim to magnify the greatness of God and His love,” Vogel said. “Through beauty of sound and text, we hope that listeners recognize God in us and around us.”

Musical selections will range from standard choral works of Palestrina, Rachmaninoff, Stanford and Durufle, to arrangements of hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs. The concert choir will be accompanied by piano, organ, flute, oboe, and violin.

“I do believe that art glorifies God, and that people are enriched by beauty,” Vogel added. “Our prayer is that people will feel enriched by hearing the choir.”

Lincoln Glen Church, San Jose, Calif.

The Tabor Concert Choir had their last concert of tour tonight at a beautiful church in San Jose. This week has gone by so quickly, it’s hard to believe that tomorrow they will head back to campus. Every night the choir has performed exceptionally well but tonight I felt a strong presence of the Spirit. Their song, My Jesus I Love Thee, which has become my favorite, brought tears to my eyes tonight. It has been a privilege to worship with them, something Ryan and I will never forget.

Family and Friends

Some choir members have been able to see their family members on tour. Jessica Kelley’s dad, step-mom and brother were present to support her and I captured their reunion on camera.

Julie and Stephanie Wiens, mom, Denise, attended more than one concert this week and shared with us her thoughts on having two daughters at Tabor.

And I saw my freshman roommate, friend, and former TC choir member, Lisa Auchterlonie. She is living near San Fransisco, using her musical talent in voice overs and entertainment.

Tabor College Concert Choir Highlights

Enjoy interviews with Dr. Vogel and choir members, live recordings of their music and some additional pictures!

The Love of God

Sequoia National Park

With plans to join the the Tabor choir on a visit to the Sequoia National Park, Ryan and I set out a bit late this morning. The choir however was running a bit early and when we arrived at the church we had just missed them. We decided to head out on our own in hopes of catching them on the road or seeing them in the park.

Ryan and I entered the southern part of the park near Visalia. As we drove through, we were in awe of God’s mighty creation. We saw some of the world’s biggest trees, majestic mountain tops, rushing rivers and beautiful valleys. We also experienced a drastic change in temperate-from sunny and mid 60s on the valley floor to snow and low 40s in the giant sequoia forest.

On our way out of the park, we stopped to take a final picture of a valley covered with orange wildflowers and much to our surprise we finally saw the Tabor charter bus.

College Community Church MB

One of my favorite parts of this week has been reuniting with Tabor alums. Tonight I had the opportunity to reconnect with Matt Insley (he graduated in 2004) who is also the youth pastor at College Community MB. Ryan and I treated some youth to pizza, soda, and fellowship before the concert. It was a blessing for me to hear Matt explain to his youth how Tabor prepared him for seminary and service. The youth had great questions and I truly believe this was one of the best interactions I have had this week.

I found out that Matt is about ready to graduate from the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (MBBS) along with another Tabor grad, Matt Regier. I was so excited to hear that Matt Regier and his wife, Tia, will be returning to serve at Main Street Ministires in Hillsboro.

And that’s not all, it was also a blessing to reconnect with former Tabor faculty member and current Interim President of MBBS, Lynn Jost and his wife, Donna. We greatly miss them but are proud of where God has taken them and called them serve.

The best part of this day was for choir members Ashley Siler and Ben Friesen, who got engaged at Sequoia National Park. If you get a chance, ask them about their story-it’s a good one!

We are so excited for them!

Enjoy this song that the choir performed tonight!

At the Round Earth’s Imagined Corners

Immanuel High School

After driving an hour and half north to Reedley, Calif., I met with a small group of junior students from Immanuel High School.  I had a great time interacting with these students who I believe have a serious interest in considering Tabor for their future.  The Tabor Concert Choir also made an appearance at Immanuel High School and sang for their chapel service.  Below is a short video of their performance.