“Who Are You People; Where Are You From?”
--by Jeffrey K. Lauriten
Street witnessing in the heart of Chicago, a church service taped for local television, and an a cappella concert in a beautiful old Anglican church highlighted the Collegedale Academy Madrigal Singers’ recent trip to northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. (October 14-18)
Without question the most memorable tour moments are the street witnessing events. It works like this: Find a public place where people have gathered, break into song, then share with the people who have stopped to listen. Chicago’s brand new Millennium Park was the perfect spot for this. Opened in July, 2004, it contains some unusual sculptures, including a giant stainless steel “bean” in which you can see yourself reflected in all directions. This “bean,” for us, also doubled as a great acoustic shell, and we filled it not only with music, but people intrigued with us and our music. “Who are you people; where are you from?” seems to be on everyone’s lips.
One of America’s largest outdoor concert halls is also located in Millennium Park, and we filled it too with songs of praise, under the watchful eye of the local security guard. It amazes how spontaneous singing paves the way for spontaneous sharing with total strangers—not only locals, but with tourists from as far away as France and the Netherlands. “That was such a nice treat for a Sunday morning!” enthused one listener.
Sabbath afternoon’s concert in the old Anglican Church in Janesville, Wisconsin, presented an opportunity and a challenge. It is a classic old church, rather small, with great acoustics for singing a cappella music. Perhaps that’s one reason they had no piano at all—a situation we learned of after we arrived for the concert. Fearing we did not have enough a cappella music for an entire concert, we quickly relearned two songs from a prior school year without the music, and used them to augment our concert.
The Madrigal Singers also sang at the Madison, Wisconsin, Adventist church for Friday vespers. Sunday night at Broadview Academy we presented not only sacred music but several selections from the Broadway and opera revue presented last May. “You’ve inspired my students,” noted the music director. “It was just great,” concurred the principal.
A special thanks goes to pastor Paul Goia, father Gabe Goia, a tenor in the Madrigal Singers, who organized the Wisconsin portion of this trip for us. He had also organized the Romanian portion of Opus-I’s European mission tour last summer. Pastor Goia’s entire four-church district gathered in the Beloit, Wisconsin, church as the Madrigal Singers presented the Sabbath services, which were taped for local television.
Each year’s Madrigal Singers has its own unique personality. This year’s group loves to sing anywhere, anytime, and then talk to people about it. The final impromptu song occurred in, of all places, The Olive Garden in Terre Haute, Indiana. The management had taken note of this well-behaved group of young people; when they learned they were a choir, they asked for a song.
One key object of Christian education is to provide opportunities for our students to put into practice the skills and values they have learned. Whether it be learning music at the last minute or talking to total strangers, this group of youth has demonstrated, once again, that they do not fear stretching their comfort zone and thinking “outside the box.”
“I thought I heard Angels Singing”
--by Jeffrey K. Lauritzen and students
She had come downtown to purchase a dress and to “talk” to her
firefighter friend who had died in the World Trade Center attack.
She thought she heard angels singing. The “angels” she heard were
the Collegedale Academy Madrigal Singers who just happened to be singing
there that afternoon. “She was amazed that we would come to New York
and sing about God and pray with people in public,” noted senior Justin
Jones. “We said the Lord’s Prayer with her, then Sheena prayed for
her, then she (the lady) prayed for us. She said most people think
that New Yorkers are cold and hateful; she said it wasn’t true. New
Yorkers have feelings too.”
Praying with random strangers on the streets was a new experience for senior Sheena Collar. “I enjoyed talking and praying with her, because I have not experienced this type of encounter ever before. From that moment on I realized how blessed I am to know Jesus Christ as my personal friend.”
“We met a flute player there at Ground Zero,” remarked junior Amy Heilman. “He was very interested in last-day events, so we gave him a Great Controversy. He seemed excited to get it. Later on we saw him sitting on the ground totally absorbed in it.”
Spontaneous street witnessing has long been a tradition of Madrigals’ tours. Although two years have elapsed since the attacks of 9/11, Ground Zero is still a sensitive site and a wonderful place to talk to people about spiritual things, as Junior Stephen Tilstra discovered. “We spoke one on one with many people that lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks. Seeing average people on the street responding to Christ’s message is encouraging and gives me a great blessing.”
“(The people at Ground Zero) totally blew away the typical New York stereotype of the hard-hearted, mean, swearing person that many people think they are. Their hard exterior melted away as their hearts were exposed. It was a blessing to me as well as them,” observed senior Britton Jewell.
Junior Matt Gilbert gets excited thinking about what took place that October day at Ground Zero: “It was pure witnessing, and it was all about God. It was spontaneous and definitely a God thing.” Junior Amanda Scola added, “Street witnessing was one of the best experiences. It was so neat to help bring some sunshine to people’s day. Singing in the subway was really cool also because all of those people looked so gloomy, and I think we cheered them up.”
The Madrigals’ trip of October 15-20 included far more than street witnessing in New York City. They also sang for students at Highland View Academy in Maryland, Garden State Academy in New Jersey, and Shenandoah Valley Academy in Virginia. A Friday evening vespers concert and church service were presented in the Connecticut Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, the church that had invited the Madrigals to embark on this tour. A surprise drop-in visit to Roy Battle, an old friend of CA who is recuperating from serious illness, capped off the trip.
To visit New England in October is a real treat. Senior Larissa Engelbert reflected on the spiritual lessons one can learn from the fall colors: “To me, the most meaningful experience was just sitting in the bus looking out of the window at all of the beautiful fall colors in Connecticut. It got me thinking about the reason for the way the trees looked to be ablaze. The cold brings about the change in the leaves. I think we as Christians can learn a lesson from the trees. When we see the cold, dark things of this world, it should set our hearts on fire for Christ.”
Formal, scheduled concerts may be the reason musical organizations travel. But without question, the spontaneous, unscheduled encounters are what gave this trip its true worth. Talking and praying with people who experienced 9/11 firsthand, bringing joy to the sick, finding one’s ancestors in the data base at Ellis Island, discovering the beautiful village of Farmington, Connecticut, with it’s 350 year old church, and its history as a place of freedom for escaping slaves—things like this create immediate value and lifetime memories.
Future tours include Greenville, Tennessee, in November; Kettering,
Ohio, in January; and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in March.
Local concerts include three evensongs and a performance of Handel’s Messiah.
CA Madrigal Singers Share their Faith
--by Jeffrey K. Lauritzen
A unique beach vespers on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and an impromptu performance on the Streets of Savannah, Georgia, highlight two of the unusual outreach activities the Madrigal Singers engaged in during their March 26-30 tour.
The Hilton Head Island SDA Church, a small congregation with a passion for outreach, was the brainchild of this tour. Believing that excellence in performances opens doors for witnessing, they scheduled the Madrigal Singers to provide Sabbath School and Church for their own congregation; then scheduled five additional performances in their community for the general public. Two were at a local Lutheran Church, two at a non-denominational Christian High School, and one at the local beach. Rounding out the itinerary were performances at the Hendersonville SDA Church and a visit to the Biltmore estate in North Carolina, and a performance at the Savannah SDA Church with a visit to the historic district of Savannah, Georgia.
The beach vespers Sabbath evening was a highlight. “We built the Tower of Babel,” recalled sophomore Jared Weber, “Many people came over to talk to us about it. It was a great witnessing tool.” A five-foot tall pile of sculpted sand did attract attention, which of course was the whole idea. Yet some people’s lack of Biblical knowledge was appalling:
“What are you making?”
“The Tower of Babel.”
“Don’t forget to make it lean.”
“I feel that the people heard what we were saying, and I feel like my efforts inspired some people,” noted senior Ben Foote. The people did hear what they were saying. I was asked if “they were all mine.” I responded in the affirmative, and started to explain that we were from a Christian school. “Oh, I can tell,” interrupted the lady I was talking to, “I’ve been listening to what they are talking about.”
For sophomore Adam Dahlberg a highlight was getting up in front of audiences to speak for Jesus. “I felt like every time I opened my mouth I was saying what God would have me say,” he noted. “At Hilton Head I was planning on the same old thing, but I ended up saying something completely different.”
For senior Melissa Ray it was the concerts. “I love singing with the whole group. It’s so beautiful to sing about Christ surrounded by my peers. The best part was when people approached us afterwards and thanked us for what we’re doing.”
To freshman Heidi Rasmussen, “The whole trip felt like a mission trip—except it was in our own country.” And it was in a wealthy part of our country, a difficult clientele to reach for Christ. This is where a group like the Madrigal Singers shine. Excellence in singing attracts the people; positive Christian spirituality affects the people. And it affects the students themselves as well. Junior Tim Mathews recalled: “The aspect of the trip that I really enjoyed was that everyone was so spiritual, and I was really blessed by all the praying, singing, and worships.”
Senior Zack Sprague eloquently sums up his experience, “Socrates once said that an unexamined life is not worth living. And after examining my own I truly agree with him. I was able to see that my life is worth nothing without Christ.”
The reason Collegedale Academy sends its groups on tour is perhaps
summed
up best by senior Josh Gilbert: “This trip was memorable, not because
it was my last choir tour, but mostly seeing the influence that our group
had on each other and others that we sang to. People are ready to
receive the gospel, and we presented it to them in the most honest form—in
our deeds and actions. Everyone seemed to see Christ in us through
our singing and the way we conducted ourselves. People really seem
to appreciate good, honest music, especially when we sing it from our hearts
as we did on our tour. I praise God for that.”
CA Madrigal Singers Blitz Washington
--by Jeffrey K. Lauritzen
Several months ago, at the very time tour plans for the school year were being finalized, an unexpected e-mail arrived from Dr. James Bingham, choral director at Columbia Union College, near Washington, D.C. He was inviting the Madrigal Singers to CUC to perform a special concert for the Columbia Union Music Festival, in his words, “to help inspire our students here to a higher level of excellence.”
The tour developed into a rather short but intense high-profile event. Performances were held at the General Conference headquarters, National Cathedral , the U.S. Capitol*, the Capitol Hill SDA Church, as well as the Spencerville SDA Church for the Columbia Union Music Festival. All this took place Wednesday and Thursday, February 5 and 6, a time when both Collegedale Academy and A.W. Spalding Elementary had to close due to the illness of nearly 50% of the student body. Yet only three of the 35 Madrigal Singers were unable to travel due to illness, and those who did make the trip seemed to gain strength and health. From the outset God’s blessings seemed evident.
The Spencerville Church is one of Adventism’s most glorious venues for music. The acoustics as well as the beauty of the sanctuary seem to draw from those who perform there their highest level of musicianship. The attentive, supportive audience of academy students and sponsors from across the Columbia Union, as well as local church members and friends appreciated what they heard. “It was everything I’d hoped for,” enthused Dr. Bingham following the concert. Another concertgoer noted, “There was a lot of cerebral activity evident—they were well-focused. They understood their mission and purpose. It was very obvious these are spiritually focused kids.”
A highlight of the trip certainly was the tour of the U.S. Capitol personally hosted by Tennessee Congressman Zach Wamp. The congressman asked us to sing in the Capitol rotunda, an experience rarely offered to choirs. It proved a phenomenal place to sing, with amazing acoustics. “I’m one proud Tennessean,” exclaimed congressman Wamp. “And, remember,” he said, turning to others in the rotunda, “this is a high school choir!”
Another high point was National Cathedral, the sixth largest church in the world. What an inspiring experience to get to sing cathedral music in an actual cathedral! “I led another student group earlier today. They were out of control. I was ready to go home!” commented our tour leader at the cathedral. “Your kids are so different. So well disciplined. And their singing—just gorgeous; amazing.”
The concert and tour of the General Conference Headquarters, especially the Ellen G. White Estate, was another significant experience for the students, and appreciated by the workers there. “They’re so much more well-behaved than normal,” commented a worker at the General Conference headquarters. “And it’s nice to hear a group that still sings that kind of quality music.”
To complete this brief Washington experience, a night tours of
the monuments, and a couple hours at the Smithsonian American History were
included. There was even a snowstorm which, though fun to play in,
resulted in a four-hour delay in their return home Friday morning.
Beach Vespers Highlights Choir Trip
--by Jeffrey K. Lauritzen
A unique beach vespers highlighted the Madrigal Singers’ and Cantabile Ringers’ trip to Hilton Head Island and Charleston, South Carolina. “I really enjoyed the beach,” noted junior Kirstee Hurt. “It was cool to watch the people stop and listen to us. You could see they liked what they saw.” What they saw was more than merely a group of Collegedale youth singing praise choruses. For 90 minutes twelve teams had worked on sand sculptures depicting Bible scenes, which resulted in a veritable sculpture garden right there at water’s edge on Hilton Head Island’s main beach. “Many people walk the beach in the late afternoon and early evening,” our local hosts had told us. “They will stop and talk to you about what you’ve built. And if there’s music, even more will be drawn.” Many did stop, look, and listen. Many asked questions about who these youth were, and what they were doing there. Many asked where they were going to sing next. Some had spiritual insights. “See that cross?” asked one gentlemen, pointing to the large cross sculpted in the sand. “When the tide comes in, all our sins will be carried into the depths of the sea.”
A Friday night concert at the Hilton Head Island SDA Church as well as Sabbath School and Church services were presented by the Cantabile Ringers and Madrigal Singers. On Sunday morning the Madrigal Singers sang for a local Lutheran and Episcopal congregation , who received them enthusiastically. “I saw people in the Episcopal church crying because of our music,” reflected senior Devon Nicoll. “That touched me. I enjoyed singing for these different denominations.”
Earlier in the tour the two groups had visited historic Charleston, and performed for the students and teachers of the Charleston SDA School. “I think that this was the best tour I’ve ever been on,” enthused senior Loria Mercer. “Sure it wasn’t perfect” (like maybe a bus with tepid A/C and a 58 mph top speed) “but what is? I know that we really witnessed to a lot of people, and that makes me feel good. Even though Satan tried to hold us back, God was stronger in the end. The whole time I felt God working through us, and I pray that the people felt that also.” “I would really like to go back next year!” urged junior Tara Davis.
It looks like she will get her wish. The groups have already been
invited back in March, 2003. The Hilton Head Adventist congregation
is small, but has a real burden to reach out to its wealthy community.
As theirs is a musically literate community, one effective method of heightening
Adventist awareness is to host quality musical events for the public. What
a privilege for Collegedale Academy students to be involved in this somewhat
different form of evangelism! This is yet another successful example
of the Academy’s attempt to fulfill its mission to restore the image of
God in its students, and equip them to fulfill the outreach mission of
the church
Madrigal Singers Share Their Faith in the Northeast
--compiled by Jeffrey K. Lauritzen
"That sure sounded better than what was coming out of there," enthused a bystander, gesturing toward Caesar's casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was perhaps the ultimate irony--Beautiful Savior, sung by the Collegedale Academy Madrigal Singers in front of a gambling casino! It was irony which successfully made its point. This was the first of many episodes of impromptu public witnessing by the Madrigal Singers during their autumn tour, which took them to Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., as well as Highland View, Garden State, and Blue Mountain Academies, and Columbia Union College, the weekend of October 18-22. These unscheduled public performances have become a hallmark of Madrigal tours, and are highlights for many of the choir members:
"I think the trip helped me regain my spirituality, and I especially enjoyed singing on the streets and at the monuments and watching the faces of the people that we blessed."
--Brandy Patterson"This has been the best Madrigals trip I've experienced. Everyone seemed to have their focus on the same thing… singing for God's glory. While singing on the streets or while waiting in a line, I could feel God's presence."
--Devon Nicoll"On Saturday night we sat on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and sang Beautiful Savior. I wanted to sit there and sing for the rest of my life, it was so peaceful."
--Stella Kim"I'm so glad I went on this trip because of the spiritual atmosphere the whole time. I was really impressed when we started singing to the general public in Atlantic City, Philadelphia, and D.C. Those were the most touching moments for me. To see total strangers gathering around, listening to us sing, and even taking pictures of us really gave me a feeling of usefulness--like I was really doing some good. It's a powerful feeling.
--Baley Glass"My favorite part was just simply singing on the streets for no particular audience. I will never forget what it was like to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at night time. I haven't ever really tried this type of witnessing and I feel very privileged to be a part of this singing group."
--Michelle Miller"I really enjoyed visiting the monuments and singing at the Lincoln Memorial. It was neat to see the people's reactions when we sang. I guess there is still a desire in America to hear and see the finer things. I'm glad that we were able to be Jesus to some people."
--Bekki Griffin"Probably the time that touched me the most was when we went to Washington D.C. and got to visit all of the monuments. It just really made me think about how so many people lost their lives for our country."
--Katrina Spears" God led me into a closer walk with Him on this tour"
--Keri France"The tour was quite something, as I have found all Madrigal trips to be. I love how we can be anywhere and spontaneously begin to sing for the public. It's even better that no matter where we were, people stopped to listen and affirm us afterward."
--Justin Junn"The greatest moment of this trip was singing in the Spencerville church. It was so beautiful with the stone walls, slate tiling, and rich wood. It sounded amazing to sing in that church. I loved how the stained-glass window made rainbows around the church when the sun shone through it."
--Kim Lawson
Most of us live pretty fragmented, stressful lives, which is why
tours are so great--temporarily removing daily stresses, allowing participants
to focus their energy on mission and music. With everyday stresses
left behind, the singers can become a unified force for witnessing.
And being a choir, they always have their instruments with them for use
at any time.
CA's Cantabile Ringers Enthusiastically Received in
Minnesota and Wisconsin
--by Jeffrey K. Lauritzen, conductor of the Cantabile
Ringers
"I've heard handbell choirs before, but now I know how they're supposed to sound," commented an enthusiastic member of Calvin Presbyterian Church after the Cantabile Ringers' performance there Sunday morning, March 19. This was typical of the reception received during the Cantabile Ringers' spring tour which included Wisconsin Academy, Minnetonka SDA Church near Minneapolis, Pneusong SDA Church, near St. Paul, and Calvin Presbyterian Church in Long Lake, Minnesota. "I was touched by how the churches we went to were so blessed by our music," noted Sandy Shaik "The people were very friendly," added Lindsey Murray, "and the Sabbath potluck was yummy to my tummy."
In addition to these performances the group also had the opportunity to enjoy Mall of America, with its 800 stores and restaurants, amusement park, aquarium, and 18-hole miniature golf course--all under one roof. "I loved Mall of America," observed Jessica Helton, " It was the best part for me." "I'm glad we got to go back Saturday night," added Katherine Brown.
The trip went off without a hitch--until one of the van's alternators went out on the way home, lengthening the trip by one full day. Fortunately Wisconsin Academy was only 30 minutes away, and they graciously provided an extra night's lodging, plus a couple meals, and, for the first time on the trip, a couple inches of snow!
Often, however, it's events like this, plus time together as a group that prove to be the greatest value. Monica Smith reflected on this, "It was especially spiritually uplifting when we had worship Friday night, and when the van broke down. It taught me to pray more." Ashley Silverstein, who as our speaker preached three times during the trip also noted, "The value of this trip to me was building friendships with others in the bell choir and the experience of sharing God publicly for the school and churches." Sandy Shaik agreed, "It was spiritually uplifting, because in getting better acquainted with our peers we grew closer to God." "I had so much fun," enthused Emily Cole, one of the group's new members this year, "I would not have traded this trip for anything."
Madrigal Singers Experience City Streets and Country
Roads
--by Katie Lechler, member of the Madrigal Singers
A small crowd gathered around the front of the John Hancock Tower in Chicago. It was a windy day, and the American flag had been ripped from its post by the front doors. A group of young men rushed to the site and began folding up the flag, respectfully keeping it off of the ground. "Who are these young men?" queried several onlookers. They were members of Collegedale Academy's Madrigal Singers, testifying that Christians are courteous, respectful people who care about the world around them. "Of all the people here they were the only ones who thought to do something," one lady remarked to Mr. Lauritzen, "I'm really impressed by your kids."
Many statements were made on the Madrigal's tour to Chicago and Michigan. The Madrigals began their trip Wednesday night, October 21, heading up to Hinsdale Academy in the Chicago area to sing Thursday morning. The group then took a walking tour of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, enjoying many restaurants, (pizza!!), shops, and tourist attractions on the way. Ending up at the 100-story Hancock Tower, the students enjoyed a birds-eye view of the city from one of the tallest buildings on earth.
Friday was composed of a concert at Andrew's Academy, a tour of Andrew's University, and a concert at Battle Creek Academy. Finishing the day at the Grand Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church--the new church home of former Collegedale members Art and Carol Moffitt--the Madrigals sang for their Net '99 meeting. After a generous haystack supper, they went to the homes of local church members for the night. Jason Horinouchi said, "This trip was truly a blessing, but I was especially impressed with our hosts and the people who welcomed us and fed us three meals at Grand Haven."
On Sabbath morning, the choir woke up bright and early to sing for a church service at Grand Haven. The church had requested the Madrigals take over the entire service, so three members, Brian Lauritzen, Kyle Allen, and Katie Lechler spoke for church. Their subject, "Being Ambassadors for Christ," along with inspirational choral music resulted in an inspiring service. "The chance to speak and see God take control of my words was inspiring," noted Brian Lauritzen, "Some of the things I said weren't even in my plans. God really is in control."
After church and a filling potluck provided by the generous members of Grand Haven, the group visited The Scriptorium, a large collection of ancient Bibles and religious writings. Although located in this small Michigan town, this collection rivals the Vatican's in Rome. After spending a couple of hours there, the Madrigals went to the sand dunes on Lake Michigan and had fun there, playing in the sand. "Lake Michigan, with the sun shining on the waves and the silver line on the horizon--all these things were just a taste of Heaven," commented Keri France.
According to many participants the entire trip was a blessing and a real spiritual experience. As Cindy Ray put it, "When we went to Chicago, the buildings and the atmosphere were so exciting and busy…but going to Grand Haven was so relaxing and peaceful….Basically what I see is a comparison between things made by man and things made by God, and this is just another example to me of how God is so much better than man."
A review of the Madrigal Singers' performance at the Spencerville SDA Church, October 21:
Dear Jeff Lauritzen,
Just a message of thanks for your delightful program of Sabbath Afternoon. . . . Those of us present were greatly blessed and I shall report to those missing that they missed a real treat.
I thought the blend of the choir, and in particular the soprano section, was way beyond the norm showing signs of good training and an understanding of European choral traditions. The young sopranos had a well placed forward vowel that filled the church with ease while the young men sang with a maturity of sound that was truly exciting to hear. It is a thrill to hear young people still enjoying the classics and singing them with understanding and enthusiasm. My one regret is that there are so few such schools remaining in SDA eduction. You have my heartfelt congratulations and absolute enthusiams for your work. Keep it up!
Bravo,
James Bingham, choral director, Columbia Union College
A Review of the Madrigals' visit to Hilton Head Island, February, 2001
Dear Jeff,
We can't thank you enough for providing such wonderful music this past weekend at the grand opening celebration of the Hilton Head Island Seventh-day Adventist Church. We have received many positive comments from the community as well as from our church. You truly have a talented group of musicians who are a great witness for Seventh-day Adventists. The students were very professional in their musical presentation, extremely polite and grateful for what our church provided, plus very friendly to everyone. Their decorum was exemplary.
You can be proud of having such a wonderful group of young people to work with. It is rare to find such a group of kids who are striving for excellence. They are far above any academy groups we have had contact with over the years, both in talent, decorum, and representation of our church. We look forward to having the Madrigals and Chamber Players back on an annual basis!!!
I must mention, too, the comments we heard from the musical community attending Friday night regarding how professional both you and Richard were in your presentation of each piece - making it interesting between numbers and giving background that was pertinent to the appreciation of each piece. All these details were noticed by some of the leading musicians from Hilton Head in attendance. These same people have already requested to be notified when the Madrigals and Chamber players come again!
I'm glad you enjoyed staying in our waterfront home. Jan
& I were amazed at how clean and neat the house was when we went over
to clean yesterday. The kids did a great job of taking care
of the house. Of course, you and your wife were a great influence
I'm sure, but just the same, it was in mint condition and only needed
minor cleaning. Thanks for being so careful.
Karen Holland
What value to the Madrigal Singers see in all their
travels?
These are the results of a survey administered in
February, 2001. Each bulleted item is a quote from a student.
All emphases are supplied by the respondent.
1. Explain any benefit you see for the whole group.