Emulate Chamber Ensemble, from Eastern Mennonite University, will give four concerts this spring.
The group specializes in jazz, modern and contemporary concert literature, both secular and sacred. Members of Emulate represent all academic majors and are selected by audition. They also perform with EMU’s University Choir.
Three concerts will be in Harrisonburg, with a fourth concert in Charles Town, West Virginia.
The ensemble is directed by Professor Ryan Keebaugh, an award-winning composer. His most recent honor was to be named one of three winners in the 2017 Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition.
Emulate helped to debut Keebaugh’s Symphony No. 1 in December 2016, a commissioned piece to celebrate EMU’s centennial celebration.
In November 2016, Emulate was invited to sing the prelude for the Evensong service at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
Concert schedule
- Feb. 25, Park View Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, 11 a.m.
- April 8, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Harrisonburg, Choral Evensong, 4 p.m.
- April 10, with the University Choir, Eastern Mennonite University, Martin Chapel, 7 p.m.
- April 21, St. James the Greater Catholic Church, Charles Town, West Virginia, 4 p.m.
Emulate members
- Emma Roth, of Goshen, Indiana;
- Lorren Oesch, Caldwell, Idaho;
- Anna Ressler, Kielson, Ohio;
- Perry Blosser, Harrisonburg, Virginia;
- Andry Stutzman, Harrisonburg, Virginia;
- Caleb Schrock-Hurst, Harrisonburg, Virginia;
- Dijuan Gilbert, Rocky Mount, Virginia;
- Sarah Ressler, Kidron, Ohio;
- Sarah Regan, Sugar Creek, Ohio.