The EMU Chamber Singers are hitting the road for spring break with stops around the Washington, D.C., region and throughout central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. The group has released programming information and the schedule for its tour, which stretches from March 2 to 9.
The theme of this year’s tour is “Chorus of Peace: Songs of Lament and Hope.” Benjamin Bergey, director of the Chamber Singers, said he felt it was important to “lean into the idea of hope in a way that’s authentic and holds space for a range of emotions.”
“Hope is super important to us as humans,” he said.
A concert program for the tour lists selections sung in languages ranging from Sesotho (Lesotho and South Africa) to German, Latin and Italian. Other selections include the hymn Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal, a choral arrangement of Sting’s Fragile, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow, as performed by the Native Hawaiian musician and singer Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. As part of the latter arrangement, a few performers will strum ukuleles along with the singing.
In addition to performing at the churches and venues listed on the tour schedule below, the Chamber Singers will perform at eight high schools throughout the Shenandoah Valley.
“By staying closer than previous years’ tours, we have the opportunity to go to a lot of our feeder high schools,” Bergey said. “This allows us to connect with a lot of their music and choral programs.”
Tour Schedule
All performances are free of charge and a free will offering will be taken to support the choir’s travel expenses.
- Saturday, March 2, 4:30 p.m.: Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.
- Sunday, March 3, 11 a.m.: Hyattsville Mennonite Church in Hyattsville, Maryland
- Sunday, March 3, 7 p.m.: Daniels Run Peace Church in Fairfax, Virginia
- Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m.: Waynesboro Mennonite Church in Waynesboro, Virginia
- Thursday, March 7, 7 p.m.: The Music Room on Main in Orange, Virginia
- Friday, March 8, 7 p.m.: First Mennonite Church in Richmond, Virginia
- Saturday, March 9, 7 p.m.: Charlottesville Mennonite Church in Charlottesville, Virginia
Members
The choir includes:
Iris Anderson, Corvallis, Oregon
Hannah Landes Beck, Linville, Virginia
Reah Clymer, Meridian, Mississippi
Maggie Garber, Broadway, Virginia
Adam Hoover, New Carlisle, Ohio
Elie Hoover, New Carlisle, Ohio
Thaddeus Jackson, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Jesse Kanagy, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lauren Kauffman, Goshen, Indiana
Philip Krabill, Elkhart, Indiana
Caleb Metzler, York, Pennsylvania
Aaron Moyer, Broadway, Virginia
Jacob Nissley, Canton, Ohio
Emma Nord, Greenville, Illinois
Canyon Penner, Goshen, Indiana
Riley Quezada, Mount Jackson, Virginia
Afton Rhodes-Lehman, Dayton, Virginia
Eli Stoll, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Tyler Williams, Green Lane, Pennsylvania
The EMU Chamber Singers is an auditioned touring chamber choir now in its 45th year. The mixed-voice choir is made up of 19 EMU students of different ages and majors. For more information about the Chamber Singers, visit their website or find them on Instagram. Consider donating toward their travel and operating expenses.
Can’t wait until the tour to hear the singers? Give them a listen on Spotify below:
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