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.
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 11th 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 100th 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.
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!
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!
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.
Reunion with Tabor Alum and Former Admissions Counselor
Ryan and I were blessed to see and spend some time with our dear friend Lee Waldron. Lee graduated from Tabor in '06, gave back to Tabor as as Admissions Counselor from 2007-2008, helping bring in the largest freshman class since the 80s! He is now a junior high youth pastor at Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church. Check out his video to hear what he thinks about the TC choir visiting town.
Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church
The choir sang in the largest MB church in the U.S. on Tuesday evening. Even though we felt farther away from them than we did in Shafter, their sound was still beautiful! Ryan has a favorite song he wants to share with you that Cantate sings. Cantate is a small group of choir members who perform throughout the school year in various churches for events.
The churches have been hosting a reception after each concert where choir members and concert attendees can fellowship. As I am running around talking with students, alums and friends Ryan is learning more of the Mennonite Brethren roots. He is even meeting some students that I recruited to Tabor many years ago.
Shafter MB is known for being one of the best churches to sing in because of its renowned “shell” which enhances the acoustics in the room and made the 50-member choir sound bigger. It was impressive!
I was filled with pride as I sat listening to the beautiful music. Every year, Dr. Vogel puts together a group of talented students and delivers a professional presentation. To make this year even better, students are accompanying the choir with piano, violin, flute and oboe, creating a worshipful experience for all!
Click the link below to hear just a segment of my favorite song, My Jesus I Love Thee.
Beautiful Sanctuary
Steve & Kersten Klassen class of 1998
Sandra Gililland class of 2000
Bryan Wahl class of 2002
Al & Kristin with their children Ben and Sarah Friesen
