Concert Choir to Tour Puerto Rico
Bethel’s Concert Choir will head south for their spring tour this year, flying to beautiful Puerto Rico on May 5. Directed by Bob Ham, chair of the music department and associate professor of music, the choir will present “This is the Christ,” a sacred choral concert of exaltation and joy, at five locations on the island. Forty-eight choir members and six chaperones will make the trip, including Ham and his wife, Marilynn, who accompanies the choir, and former President Steve Cramer, Ph.D., and his wife, Terri. Beyond performing, students will have intercultural opportunities in Puerto Rico through local service projects and exploring the culture at historical sites.

The Sound of Music morning matinee

“Sound of Music” Morning Matinee Brings Characters to Life
On Feb. 13, more than 870 area students, parents and teachers packed the house for a morning matinee of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” at Bethel. For some students, this was their first time experiencing the magic of live theatre. Following the production, audience members were encouraged to stay for a talk back with the entire cast and crew, where they were able to ask questions and learn more about all aspects of theatre. Morning matinees at Bethel have been providing students with an affordable theatre experience — just $5 per ticket — for more than 15 years. See full story.

Allison Baker (right) and Rebecca Brandt (left) at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

Theatre Students Recognized at Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
In January, the theatre department sent 18 students to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), region 3 in Saginaw, Mich. Seniors Allison Baker and Rebecca Brandt (pictured) took first place in the individual competition for props and sewing and third place in the team Tech Olympics. Senior Elaina Gillin received honorable mention for stage management for “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Additionally, Bethel took home five merit certificates. The KCACTF recognizes and celebrates the finest and most diverse work in collegiate theatre programs.

Visual Art Major Changes
The visual arts major has been revised to be a foundational program with two tracks: studio art and design. This approach focuses on mastering the fundamentals of art — both practical and theoretical — before tackling upper level course work. As part of the updated curriculum, all students take a senior thesis course that helps prepare them for their career. In the design major, students also have an internship requirement, with the goal of providing real-world experience while in college. This new structure is also double-major friendly, making it easier for students to pursue visual art in conjunction with another major to better prepare for their calling.