Apollo Theatre-GreeceVoices of Triumph Sings at Festival of the Agean in Greece
This summer, 14 members of Voices of Triumph, Bethel’s a cappella vocal group, took an 11-day trip to Greece. They stayed on the island of Syros, which is home to the International Festival of the Aegean. The group was one of a handful of American choirs to participate in this year’s festival, performing in several concerts. Their final concert, where the American choirs combined with a couple hundred members of Greek choirs, was held in Athens, at the Apollo Theatre in Ermoupolis (pictured). Choir Director and Music Department Chair Jeshua Franklin ’04, D.M.A., says the trip was richly rewarding in a variety of ways, giving students impactful musical, cultural and sightseeing opportunities. A few of these included visiting the Acropolis and the Parthenon, climbing up (and singing on) Mars Hill, where the apostle Paul gave his famous sermon to the philosophers of Athens, and traveling to Corinth.

Remembering RayAlumni and Friends Remember Professor Ray Weaver
About 500 alumni and friends gathered on Sept. 14 for “Remembering Ray: A Night of Reflection and Laughter,” an event celebrating the impact of former Professor of Music and Fine Arts Raymond Weaver. Weaver was one of the first faculty members hired at Bethel, and served from the college’s founding until 1986. The night included alumni stories about Weaver, a mini-documentary produced by Chuck Fry ’00 and the debut of an anthem written by Weaver’s daughter, Kay Weaver, in honor of her father, titled, “A Place Within Your Heart.” The Bethel College Concert Choir and Chamber Orchestra were joined by the Children’s Choir of Michiana, mezzo soprano soloist Jamie Caporizo and other professional musicians from the region to perform the anthem (pictured). The night also included the opening of the Raymond Weaver Glass Exhibition. The glass will be the permanent collection of the Weaver Gallery. A video of some reflections on Weaver can be found at BethelCollege.edu/RememberingRay.

Join Bethel On Stage at Carnegie Hall!
Bethel choir alumni and friends are invited to join with the Bethel Concert Choir for a performance in New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall. The five-day, four night residency will take place May 8-12, 2019. For details and signup information, visit BethelCollege.edu/Carnegie.