Goering, from Newton, Kan. will play Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26, Allegro Moderato and Adagio, by Max Bruch.

“The Bruch Concerto is one of the violin concertos which have become almost a rite of passage for violinists along with the Mendelssohn and the Lalo,” Goering said. “This piece contains challenging technique, yet also is very beautiful.”

Goering, a student of Adjunct Instructor Nancy Johnson, has relished her experience in the Music Department at Tabor College.

“Being involved in music at Tabor has provided the opportunity to get to work with professors who genuinely care about helping me grow and advance in the direction I desire to go,” Goering said. “Realizing my passion for music has helped me connect with students and professors who share the same feelings.”

Playing the violin has become a special way for Goering to express her Christian faith.

“I’m always amazed at what God created when He gave us music,” Goering said. “At times, it seems unfathomable that we have this thing that touches us so deeply, more deeply than words at times, and goes directly to our souls. God knows us so well, and putting music in our lives is like an unexpected gift in life, kind of like the extra chocolate at the bottom of an ice cream drumstick.

“Music has become a strong outlet for me, and a way of expressing myself,” she added. “When I cannot find the words for prayer, or just want to give to God, playing helps me do that. Music is also such a strong witness, as it touches people’s lives, and I love that the only reason musicians are able to do what they do is because of God.”

After graduation, Goering hopes to pursue a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy.

Mary is the daughter of Preston and Deborah Goering.

HILLSBORO, Kan. –

Souter, from Fairview, Okla., will play The Swan by Camille Saint-Saens;  Sonata In F Major,  Vivace, Largo, and Allegro by Georg Philipp Telemann; and Sonata I for Two Flutes by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach.

“I selected these numbers because I felt that they were unique in their own style and way,” Souter said. “I like pictures and I think that pictures help create the mood of a piece. Each of these pieces has their own character and their own picture. That is why I picked these numbers, and that is what I like best about them.”

Souter, a student of Adjunct Instructor Joyann Brake, has grown as a flutist through the Music Department at Tabor College.

“I never had private lessons in flute before Tabor, so I never learned the techniques that I have learned in my lessons now,” Souter said. “Tabor has also helped me grow in my appreciation of music.  I have always loved music, but I love it even more now because I understand what is going on in the background.”

She added that playing her flute has helped deepen her relationship with God.

“Music performance helps me express my Christian faith because it allows me to use the talents that God gave me for his glory,” she said.

After graduation, Souter hopes to get a job at a small school as a band director, working with middle school children. She also is considering going on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Family and Child Counseling, or working as a Music Therapist.

Megan is the daughter of Randy and Robin Souter.

Enns, a baritone from Hillsboro, Kan., will sing Die schšne MŸllerin:  I. Das Wandern II. Wohin III. Halt! IV. Danksagung an den Bach, with music by Franz Schubert and lyrics by Wilhelm MŸller; Biblical Songs: II. Lord Thou art my refuge, III. Hear, O God, my prayer, and IV. God, the Lord, my Shepherd, by Anton’n Dvor‡k; Aria from “The Marriage of Figaro”: Non piú andrai, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; and The Green Eyed Dragon, by Charles Wolseley.

“The German numbers are a very popular and well-known song cycle with rich poetry that became very famous,” Enns said. “These are only the first four out of 20 songs in the cycle. The three English art songs by Dvorak take passages from scripture and sets them to music, which are some of my favorite songs because it is very easy to be expressive with that kind of music.

“The Italian piece by Mozart is a very boisterous song that has a sarcastic tone to it, which I greatly enjoy,” Enns added. “The last English song by Wolseley has a great story that is entertaining and a joy to perform and listen to.”

Enns said he feels blessed to be a student of Dr. Brad Vogel, Professor of Choral Music.

“Dr. Vogel is a very well known conductor especially in the Midwest region and it is very evident why,” Enns said. “He is very charismatic and a great musician and director who brings the best out in choirs. This is one of the biggest reasons why I came to Tabor, because the Tabor choir competes with the highest level of choirs in the state of Kansas. And this has all rubbed off on me as I have watched and been personally instructed by Dr. Vogel.

“But he isn’t the only person in the Wohlgemuth music building,” Enns added. “All the faculty are experts in their field and very friendly and God-seeking people who have not only coached me musically, but spiritually as well.”

Singing has become a special way for Enns to express his Christian faith.

“Most everyone can say that there is something about music that can move the soul,” Enns said. “No one has figured it out yet, but I have definitely felt that there is something special about music. I am also the only one of my extended family who has been gifted with a talent for music, so I found it a real joy to further pursue that gift and develop it for God’s glory.”

At this point, Enns is undecided about which career path to take after graduation.

“I am not sure what I am going to do,” he said. “The two biggest possibilities are finding a choir teaching job at a high school, or even attending a seminary to become a pastor. But I still have a few more years to figure it all out before its crunch time.”

Darren is the son of Jim and Brenda Enns.

The recital will feature Dr. Holly Swartzendruber, soprano, and Glenn Litke, baritone, along with Dr. Sheila Litke, on piano. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

“It should be a wonderful afternoon of music,” said Litke, who serves as Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the college. “In addition to the arias and show tunes, the program will include light-hearted music that will allow the audience to smile and laugh as well as some beautifully lyrical pieces that are highly expressive.

Swartzendruber, who teaches voice at Tabor, will sing a medley of songs including, “Come Ready and See Me”, “Sweet River, and “Waterbird” by Richard Hundley; a French selection, “Obéssons quand leur voix appelle” by Jules Massenet; as well as well-known Broadway show tunes from “Showboat” and “A Star is Born.”

“The recitals Holly has given in the past have been very successful,” Litke said. “It will be a pleasure to accompany her again as she performs.”

Dr. Litke also will have the pleasure of accompanying her husband, Glenn, who taught voice and conducted the Chorale at Tabor College from 1983 to 1990. The couple was married in 2008.

“I am excited about assisting my husband as he sings,” Sheila said. “He has not sung a recital at Tabor since he taught here, so it will be wonderful to hear him perform on campus again.  I always find it very inspiring to accompany fine performers.”

Glenn will perform a German selection “Sind es Schmerzen, sin des Freuden” by Johannes Brahms, as well as the medley “Childhood Fables for Grownups” by Irving Fine.

The singers will conclude with a duet version of “Give Me Jesus” arranged by Mark Hayes.

“Both Holly and Glenn are fine musicians and communicate well with the audience, so it will be a fantastic performance!” Sheila Litke said.

A reception will be held immediately following the performance in the lobby of the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.

Dr. Swartzendruber earned a B.A. in music from Goshen College and a Master of Music in vocal performance with a vocal pedagogy emphasis from Ohio University.  She completed work for her DMA degree from the University of Kansas in 2001.  Among the operatic roles she has performed are Lucia from Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, Despina from Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, and Susanna from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.

She has performed locally, singing the soprano solos for Handel’s Messiah (Hesston College), the Brahms Requiem and Mozart Requiem (Bethel College), as well as Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilate on Tabor College’s 2006 Spring Music Program.

In addition, she maintains a private voice studio of high school students, and adjudicates regionally and statewide.  Dr. Swartzendruber is married to Dr. Douglas Miller, professor of Bible and religious studies at Tabor.

Glenn Litke earned music degrees at Tabor College (BA) and the University of Nebraska/Lincoln (MM).  Besides teaching private voice and related courses, he has served as conductor at the Tabor College Chorale and Concert Choir; conductor of the Liberty University Concert Choir, Lynchburg, VA; director of vocal ensembles at Grace College of the Bible, Omaha, NE; conductor of the Berean Academy High School Choir, Elbing, KS; and has held various church music positions.

As a baritone soloist, he has performed with the Bethany College Oratorio Society, Lindsburg, KS (12 consecutive years, including a 1985 national video production by PBS); Nebraska Opera Ensemble; Voices of Omaha; Lynchburg Virginia Fine Arts Society; Reno County Choral Society; Wichita Chamber Singers; Wichita Choral Society; and Bethel College Mid-Kansas Orchestra and Chorus as well as in many churches and recital halls.

Highlighting his solo repertoire are Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion and B Minor Mass; Brahms’ German Requiem; Faure and Mozart’s Requium’s; Haydn’s Creation; Mendelssohn’s Elijah and 30+ performances of Handel’s Messiah.  He has been a choral/vocal clinician and adjudicator at numerous festivals in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

His private students always rated well in competition including winners at NATS and several have excelled in their own singing careers.

His love for sacred/gospel music is evident in his participation in various quartets, trios and duos over the years traveling extensively including Japan.  After 20 years of teaching, Mr. Litke chose to go back to managing the family farm he was raised on.

Dr. Sheila Litke was the 2007-2008 Distinguished Faculty at Tabor College. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from University of Kansas, a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from University of Colorado, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Houghton College. She has also studied in Germany and at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, England.  Her primary instructors have included Jack Winerock, Richard Angeletti, C. Nolan Huizenga, Robert Spillman and Doloras Gadevsky.

Dr. Litke holds professional memberships with the Music Teachers National Association, Kansas Music Teachers Association and College Music Society.  She continues to perform as soloist and as accompanist for various recitals and has often served as an adjudicator and clinician.

Her key responsibilities at Tabor College include teaching applied piano, piano pedagogy, piano proficiency, class piano, theory and ear training and sight singing.  Additionally, she has founded and directs the Tabor College Music Preparatory School for Marion County and its surrounding areas.

The performance is free to the public.

Honor Band members are selected from college and university instrumentalists from across the state of Kansas based on sectional and solo playing, musicianship, and dependability.

Selected to perform from Tabor College are  Emily Miller (Kingman, Kan.) clarinet; Darren Enns (Hillsboro, Kan.) trombone; Eric Funk (Siloam Springs, Ark.) trumpet; Emily Miller (Kingman, Kan.) clarinet; Corina Neufeld ((Denver, Colo.) oboe; Janae Rempel (Meade, Kan.) clarinet; Cody Schroeder (Goddard, Kan.) trombone; and Megan Souter (Fairview, Okla.) flute.

“It was my honor to recommend these students and support their selection,” said Dr. Richard Cantwell, Concert Band Director and Chair of the Music Department. “The band members selected will all represent Tabor extremely well and will perform at a very professional level.”

The clinician working with the Honor Band is Dr. Joseph Hebert, Professor of Music and Director of Bands and Coordinator of Wind and Percussion Activities at Loyola University, in New Orleans, La. Dr. Hebert has been a guest conductor of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and is the founder and conductor of the Crescent City Wind Symphony in New Orleans and the Slidell Wind Symphony in Slidell, Louisiana.

“His extensive resume as a conductor and educator promises to give the students a great experience,” Cantwell said.

Under the direction of Dr. Brad Vogel, Professor of Choral Music, the theme for this year’s concert series is “The Light of His Grace.”

“The music focuses upon texts that reflect upon God as Light, including Christ as the Light of the World and His light shining in our lives,” Vogel said. “We sing of God’s grace shown in our lives as both Savior and guide. My hope is that people will be enriched by the beauty of choral music expressing texts that glorify God for His work in our lives, and express our future hope.”

Before going on the road, the choir will perform at both morning services on Sunday, March 7, at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro, Kan. On Sunday, March 14, the choir will sing at 9 a.m. service at the Buhler (Kan.) Mennonite Brethren Church, followed by a second concert at 7 p.m. at Koerner Heights Church, in Newton, Kan.

The choir’s 10-day, five-state tour performance series begins at 7 p.m., Friday, March 19, with a concert at Henderson Mennonite Brethren Church in Henderson, Neb., followed by concerts in South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Upon returning from the tour, the choir will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 11, at First Mennonite Brethren Church, in Wichita, Kan., and will present its home concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 18, at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, in Hillsboro, Kan.

According to Dr. Vogel, the concert repertoire for the tour performances is varied, with music ranging from Gregorian chant to standard works by Schutz and Telemann, and a range of contemporary sacred works by Egil Hovland, John Rutter, Jackson Berkey and Morten Lauridsen.  Compositions within the vein of the spiritual and popular style include those by Moses Hogan, Ken Berg, and the director himself, Dr. Vogel.

A number of instrumentalists will be featured, including organist Will Friesen, violinists Mary Goering and Julie Wiens, and wind players Eric Funk (trumpet), Corina Neufeld (oboe), and Stephanie Wiens (flute).

“Two concerts I’m particularly looking forward to are the Mennonite Central Committee benefit concert in the Twin Cities, and then the next night we sing in the Basilica at the Conception Seminary in Missouri,” Vogel said. “Much of our repertoire is designed for spaces such as the Basilica, and we look forward to hearing the works in that setting.”

The Tabor College Concert Choir was founded in 1925 by Professor Henry Berg, whose founding ideal was the a cappella style of the then-and-now famous St. Olaf Choir. Herbert C. Richert began a 25-year tenure as director of the choir in 1935 and developed a choral sound that became the model for church music in the Mennonite Brethren denomination. Two of Richert’s students served as succeeding directors: Dr. Paul Wohlgemuth (1960-1974) and Dr. Jonah C. Kliewer (1975-1998).

After the Concert Choir performed at New York’s International Choral Symposium in 1998, Dr. Kliewer passed the baton to his former student, current director Dr. Bradley Vogel.  Under Dr. Vogel’s direction, the choir has been selected to perform at the annual Kansas Music Educator’s Association Convention in 2000, 2003 and 2007.  The choir continues its annual Messiah performance each December, and in addition to the annual tour performs for numerous area churches, as well as performing a choral/orchestra work each spring.

Dr. Vogel is in his 13^th year as Professor of Choral Music at Tabor College, where he directs the Concert Choir and the men’s ensemble Cantate.  In addition to his conducting activities, Vogel also teaches voice and courses in choral conducting, music history, church music, and music education methods.

An active adjudicator and clinician, Dr. Vogel has recently conducted the Wichita All-City High School Honor Chorus, the North Central, North West, South East and South West Kansas KMEA District Honor Choirs, as well as numerous area honor choirs. Additionally, he presents teaching sessions on church music and worship, and choral tone building and rehearsal preparation.  Dr. Vogel is chair of the faculty at Tabor College and also serves as past-president and newsletter editor of the Kansas Choral Directors Association.

Outside of his teaching activities, Dr. Vogel has been married to Beverly (Just) for 24 years, with whom he parents sons David (20) and Nathan (17).

Tabor College Concert Choir Performance Dates

• Sunday, March 7, Parkview MB Church, 610 S. Main, Hillsboro, Kan., 8:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.
• Sunday, March 14, Buhler MB Church, 415 N. West Street, Buhler, Kan., 9 a.m.
• Sunday, March 14, Koerner Heights Church, 320 N. Meridian, Newton, Kan., 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 19, Henderson MB Church, 1201 11^th Street, Henderson, Neb., 7 p.m.
• Sunday, March 21, Grace Bible Church, 310 S. Broadway, Gettysburg, S.D., 10:45 a.m.
• Sunday, March 21, Bethesda MB Church, 1530 Frank SE, Huron, S.D., 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, March 22, James Valley Christian, 1550 Dakota Ave. N, Huron, S.D., 10:25 a.m.
• Monday, March 22, Salem MB Church, 43173 272^nd Street, Bridgewater, S.D., 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 23, Freeman Academy, 748 South Main, Freeman, S.D., 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 23, Community Bible Church, 500 Klein St., Mt. Lake, Minn., 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 24, Emmanuel Mennonite Church, 725 E. 25^th St., Minneapolis, Minn., Benefit Concert for Twin Cities MCC Sale, 7 p.m.
• Thursday, March 25, Conception Seminary, 37174 State Hwy VV, Conception, Mo., 8 p.m.
• Friday, March 26, Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Ave., Omaha, Neb., 7 p.m.
• Sunday, April 11, First MB Church, 8000 W. 21^st Street N, Wichita, Kan., 6 p.m.
• Sunday, April 18, Spring Concert, Hillsboro MB Church, 300 Prairie Point, Hillsboro, Kan., 4 p.m.

Tabor College Concert Choir

Rachel Alberti, Henrico, Va.; Kady Albrecht, Herington, Kan.; Clarissa Berglund, Gettysburg, S.D.; Hanna Bishop, Hays, Kan.; Mary Bishop, Hays, Kan.; Sam Brucks, Wichita, KS; Katie Chlumsky, Wichita, Kan.; Nolan Dirks, Hillsboro, Kan.; Darren Enns, Hillsboro, Kan.; Aaron Epp, Henderson, Neb.; Sarah Friesen, Guthrie, Okla.; Will Friesen, Meade, Kan. ; Abby Funk, Siloam Springs, Ark.; Eric Funk, Littleton, Colo.; Mary Goering, Newton, Kan.; Lisa Hall, McPherson, Kan.; Benjamin Heyen, Hillsboro, Kan.; Lauren Just, Hillsboro, Kan.; Sam Klein,Wichita, Kan.;  Shelby Koons, Hillsboro, Kan.; Allison Krehbiel, Hutchinson, Kan.; Cassie Kroeker, Hillsboro, Kan.; Maria Loewen, Hillsboro, Kan.; Emily Miller, Kingman, Kan.; Justin Moore, Hillsboro, Kan.;  Scott Morrow, Inman, Kan.; Corina Neufeld,  Denver, Colo.; Emily Olson, Newton, Kan.; Jenae Pauls, Inman, Kan.; Juli Richardson, Grant, Neb.; Elissa Richert, Hillsboro, Kan.; Tim Roesch, Quinter, Kan.; Emily Schmidt, Wichita, Kan.; Megan Souter, Fairview, Okla.; Jordan Stahl, Yale, S.D.; Aaron Stepanek, Hillsboro, Kan.; Logan Stranghoner, Wichita, Kan.; Carson Stutzman, Beaver Crossing, Neb.; Naomi Toews, Hesston, Kan.; Kelsey Unruh, Hillsboro, Kan.;  Mattie Vance, Concordia, Kan.; Kayla Vix, Wichita, Kan.; David Vogel, Hillsboro, Kan.; Julie Wiens, Fresno, Calif.; Stephanie Wiens, Fresno, Calif.; Ian Wohlgemuth, Wichita, Kan.; Allen Yoder, Kingman, Kan.; and Logan Zielke, Wichita, Kan.

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, or subscribe to the Tabor College Music Department Journal at http://blogs.tabor.edu/music/.

Gerbrandt, 69, graduated from Tabor in 1962 and returned to teach voice at the college from 1963 to 1966. His parents, sister, and wife also attended Tabor, adding depth and richness to the Gerbrandt family’s legacy at the college.

According to Tabor College historian Peggy Goertzen, Director of the college’s Center for Mennonite Studies, “Carl Gerbrandt is an impressive example of a music professional who can trace his academic preparation and inspiration to Tabor College and its faculty.”

Now Professor Emeritus at the University of Northern Colorado School of Music in Greeley, Colo., Gerbrandt directed the Opera Theatre program at UNC for 21 years. He also served as Music Director and Conductor of the renowned Greeley Chorale for 20 years.

In a career filled with curtain calls and encores, Gerbrandt described receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual NOA convention, held Jan. 9 in Atlanta, Ga., as “one of the highest moments” of his life.

“To be so honored among the great names of the opera world such as Beverly Sills, Marilyn Horne, and Sherrill Milnes, is a lifetime experience; one I shall never forget,” he said.

While at the convention Gerbrandt presented a session on the staging of oratorio, using Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” as his focus, and gathering a group of professional singers, including his son, Greg, in the title role of Elijah, and putting them through their paces on stage. The session, lauded as one of the most inspirational of the convention, can be added to a long list of his musical directing accomplishments.

In all, Gerbrandt has presented many recitals, masterclasses, and choral workshops nationwide, while performing over 70 opera and oratorio roles. He made his professional directing debut at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center with Mozart’s “Die Entführung aus dem Serail.”

Additionally, his staged production of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” was filmed by PBS-TV and broadcast nationwide. He has directed over 40 operas, and his “Opera in Education” productions have been seen at three national music conventions and by thousands of young people.

His expertise in the utilization of sacred subjects in opera has culminated in his book, Sacred Music Drama, which he wrote while serving as Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University in England. The first edition of Sacred Music Drama was published in 1993 by Prestige Publications of Princeton, N.J., with a second edition printed in 2006.

The book has been described by the NOA as the “go to” resource for the organization and its members, and the definitive book on the subject of sacred opera.

As a performer, Gerbrandt appeared as bass soloist with the Annapolis Naval Academy in films of Handel’s Messiah, as well as other major symphonies and opera companies throughout the country. He continues to teach voice part-time and is currently directing Mozart’s “Magic Flute” for the Opera Theatre of the Rockies, Colorado Springs professional opera company.

Young Carl learned to sing while harmonizing around the family piano. Born in Meade, Kan., Gerbrandt grew up in the Mennonite community of Reedley, Calif., where his late father, Jacob, was a teacher, pastor, and administrator. Earlier, his father founded the Meade (Kan.) Bible Academy. Carl’s first exposure to opera came from listening to Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts with his mother, the late Mary (Klassen) Gerbrandt.

Carl’s mother, Mary Klassen, graduated from Tabor in 1925, and his father, in 1926. His parents were married in August of 1926. Carl’s oldest sister, Geraldine, also attended Tabor in 1952.

As a student at Tabor, Carl was a member of the Tabor College Choir under the direction of Dr. Paul Wohlgemuth, who was well known for achieving excellence and precision in choral sound. Gerbrandt also played French Horn in the Tabor College Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Larry Feil.

About his decision to attend Tabor, he said, “I came to Tabor in 1960, transferring from Biola University, primarily due to the influence of Dr. Wohlgemuth. He had been chair of the music department at Biola and was called to Tabor to assume a similar position. So, the decision to follow him to Tabor was really quite easy.

“I would say without hesitation that the greatest influence on my life at Tabor was Dr. Wohlgemuth,” Gerbrandt added. “He became my life-long mentor, until his untimely death of course; and secondly, president Roy Just, and Dr. Feil. Paul, more than anyone, helped me see the potential in a singing and music career, and that with a Christian lifestyle.”

After completing his Master’s of Music in choral conducting and voice performance at Wichita State University in 1963, Gerbrandt returned to Tabor to serve as an instructor of voice, from 1963 to 1966.

“This position and working with Paul and the Tabor family gave me the stimulation to stay the course of music performance, but more important to continue my work in church music,” Gerbrandt added. “This I have done through church choirs all my life.”

Gerbrandt was encouraged by his voice instructor at Wichita State, Arthur Newman, to try out for the school’s production of “La Boheme,” and got a leading role. The next year, the gifted baritone made his professional debut with the Wichita Symphony. His performance career had begun, but he never gave up teaching.

Gerbrandt went on to earn his doctorate at the prestigious Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, the first academy of music established in the U.S. He worked there for many years, eventually becoming the school’s opera director as well as its first Director of Admissions. His post-doctoral studies in voice and opera were taken at Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie in Detmold, Germany.

Gerbrandt had a chance to go to New York and maybe become an opera superstar. But by that point he had begun a family with his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Friesen, a 1962 Tabor graduate. Gerbrandt didn’t want his children to grow up in the big city.

In 1983, he took a teaching position at the University of Northern Colorado, where his contribution to Tabor College music continued in an indirect way. One of Gerbrandt’s prized voice students was Brad Vogel, who earned his Master’s in Music from UNC in 1988. Vogel went on to join the Tabor music faculty in 1997. And today, Dr. Vogel is the Professor of Choral Music and Director of the Tabor College Choir.

“I studied with Carl just one year, but have simply kept in touch and have kept aware of his activities through my connection with choral colleagues at UNC,” Vogel said. “Every student patterns his early teaching off of his own teacher, and I have certainly utilized many exercises and concepts learned in my studies with Dr. Gerbrandt. His knowledge and experience certainly helped me find my way as a teacher of voice.

“Tabor College has produced and continues to produce musicians who make a lasting impact in the musical world, in both the church and in the professional field,” Vogel added. “I think it’s wonderful that Carl Gerbrandt is recognizing the place Tabor College, particularly its faculty, had in sending him on his professional journey. That recognition is both rewarding and inspiring.”

As conductor of the heralded Greeley Chorale from 1987-2009, Gerbrandt directed the 100-voice choir on six international concert tours and presented 10 world premieres.

These were indeed unique international tours that most mid-sized community chorales could only dream about: Australia in 1988, Eastern and Western Europe in 1992, a tour in which the chorale was selected as one of only three choirs internationally to perform at the Vienna International Choir Festival; and in 1996, several of England’s great venues were filled with the sounds of the Chorale. In 2001, the chorale performed with the Beijing Ballet Orchestra in China. Then, in 2005, the chorale sang a High Mass in the Vatican before the Pope, and in 2009, performed a concert tour through Greece and into Ephesus.

Gerbrandt has long since retired from singing, but he is following the career of his son, Greg, who has been singing in many of this country’s outstanding opera companies: Central City (Colorado), Glimmerglass (New York), Nashville Opera, and others. Last fall, Greg debuted with the Boston Lyric Opera, one of this country’s top opera companies. He will return to Boston to sing the role of Figaro in “Barber of Seville” later this spring. Currently, he is singing the role of Malatesta in “Don Pasquale” with Ashville Opera Festival. Greg makes his home in New York City.

Gerbrandt and his wife Marilyn have been married 48 years. She continues her teaching at the elementary level, working with home-schooled students in the area of creative writing. In addition to Greg, the Gerbrandts have a daughter, Lynée Graves, who lives with her husband and four children near Denver.

Learn more about Dr. Gerbrandt or order a copy of his book.

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The Tabor College Oratorio Chorus and Community Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Brad Vogel, Professor of Choral Music, presented Handel’s Messiah Sunday, Dec. 6., at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, 300 Prairie Point, in Hillsboro.

Solos were sung by Tabor seniors Justin Moore, Emily Olson and Kayla Vix; juniors Darren Enns and Aaron Stepanek; and sophomore David Vogel. Lisa Loewen Kroeker, a 2004 graduate of Tabor, also performed as a soloist.

First performed in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742, Messiah is Handel’s most famous composition and is among the most popular works in Western choral literature. Although the work was conceived and first performed for Easter, it has become traditional to perform the oratorio during Advent, the preparatory period of the Christmas season.

“Much of the Hillsboro community sees Messiah as the beginning of the Christmas season,” said Vogel. “The college is happy to bring this music to the community.”

Dr. Sheila Litke, Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy, played the harpsichord, and Stephen Vincent, Adjunct Instructor of Organ, had the privilege of playing Messiah’s familiar melodies on the church’s newly-restored pipe organ.

The vintage Kimball organ, restored by master organ builder Burton Tidwell of Marion, Kan., was donated to the church by Calvary United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kan. The restored organ was heard for the first time in public at this performance of Messiah.

View Pictures of the Messiah

Solos will be sung by Tabor seniors Justin Moore, Emily Olson and Kayla Vix; juniors Darren Enns and Aaron Stepanek; and sophomore David Vogel.  Lisa Loewen Kroeker, a 2003 graduate of Tabor, also will perform as a soloist.

First performed in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742, Messiah is Handel’s most famous composition and is among the most popular works in Western choral literature. Although the work was conceived and first performed for Easter, it has become traditional to perform the oratorio during Advent, the preparatory period of the Christmas season.

“Much of the Hillsboro community sees Messiah as the beginning of the Christmas season,” said Vogel. “The college is happy to bring this music to the community.”

Dr. Sheila Litke, Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy, will play the harpsichord, and Stephen Vincent, Adjunct Instructor of Organ, will have the privilege of playing Messiah’s familiar melodies on the church’s newly-restored pipe organ.

The vintage Kimball organ, restored by master organ builder Burton Tidwell of Marion, Kan., was donated to the church by Calvary United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kan. The organ will be heard for the first time in public at this performance of Messiah.

“Burton Tidwell is an extremely busy man, building and restoring large pipe organs from California to Texas to Kentucky to Florida and the Bronx,” Vogel said. “Pipes for this organ have come not only from the Wichita organ but from rebuilding projects in the Bronx and beyond. Some of the pipes are about a hundred years old.”

An offering will be taken following the performance of Messiah to assist with costs of the production. For more information, call the Tabor College Music Department at (620) 947-3121.

The Tabor College Handbell Choir will be among the groups performing at the community-wide Thanksgiving Service and Fall Festival Concert, “With Praise and Thanksgiving”, beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, 300 Prairie Point, in Hillsboro, Kan.

The event, co-sponsored by Tabor and the Hillsboro Area Ministerial Association, will feature a variety of groups and soloists from the Tabor Music Department. Admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item for Main Street Ministries. A freewill offering will also be taken for the work of the Ministerial Alliance.

The Handbell Choir will be playing the Christmas favorite, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” directed by Dr. Richard Cantwell, Director of Instrumental Music and Chair of the Music Department.

The Tabor College Handbell Choir began in 2003 with a significant donation from Dr. Don and Connie Isaac to purchase the first 2-octave set. The third octave was added through a generous donation from the Sam Regier Family in memory of Sam’s mother, Katharina Friesen Regier, an early Tabor College music faculty member.

According to Cantwell, handbell ringing requires a unique combination of musicianship, eye-hand coordination and personal focus. He recommends Handbell Choir participation for Tabor students planning to serve in the area of church music either as a vocation or a service.

“Many churches have handbell sets with a lack of skilled volunteers to lead them,” Cantwell said. “Tabor is fortunate to have a group of fine musicians willing to fit the Handbell Ensemble into their busy academic schedules.”

The Handbell Choir played during worship services held Sunday, Nov. 8, at Community Bible Church in Abilene, Kan., the home church of senior handbell choir member Andrea Kuntz. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the choir performed for 125 residents and family members at Showalter Villa, in Hesston, Kan., where senior member Janae Rempel’s grandmother resides.

Unlike an orchestra or choir in which each musician is responsible for one line of the texture, a handbell ensemble acts as one instrument, with each musician responsible for sounding his or her assigned bells whenever that note appears in the music.

“Handbells is the type of group where everyone needs to be there, each part is so important,” said Sarah Friesen, a sophomore from Guthrie, Okla. “The Hesston audience was unique in that so many people either had played handbells or had a relative or friend that is a handbell player. It was a fun experience.”

Sally Epp, a freshman from Gilter, Neb., agreed, saying, “I enjoy handbells, it’s a new experience. After playing the piano for many years, it’s like starting over on a new instrument, and you learn to laugh at your mistakes.”

In addition to Kuntz, Remple, Friesen and Epp, other member of the Tabor College Handbell Choir include Katheryn Camp, Debbie Miller, Emily Olson, Emily Schmidt and Heidi Versaw.