Chamber Singers, the Eastern Mennonite University auditioned mixed-voice choir, spent their spring break performing at churches and schools throughout Ohio and Indiana. 

The group, composed of 15 members, traveled throughout the Midwest states to share songs related to this year’s tour theme, “Local and Global: songs of peace and justice.” The choir performed music by Harrisonburg composers, songs about the Shenandoah Valley, and other works from around the world. 

Members left for Ohio in a large passenger van on Friday, March 3. While grabbing a bite to eat on the way, the group had a spontaneous performance in a West Virginia restaurant after a power outage left them unable to pay their bill. Following their performance, the singers were given free dessert by the restaurant. 

Chamber Singers toured the hometowns, schools, and churches of both past and present choir members. Their first concert was at First Mennonite Church in Canton, Oh., the home congregation of two group members: Junior Jacob Nissley and Senior Andrew Zook. 

The choir also performed at Berlin Mennonite Church, Millersburg Mennonite Church, Central Christian School, and Huber Mennonite Church before heading into Indiana. 

During their stay in Goshen, the ensemble was hosted by the family of First-year Naomi Kratzer, an alto for the group. The choir held evening performances at East Goshen Mennonite and Belmont Mennonite Church and worked alongside choir classes at Bethany Christian and Goshen High School during their time in the state. 

Following their Thursday night concert at Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, Oh., Chamber Singers held their final performance at First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Oh. on Friday, March 10. By the end of their tour, the group sang at a total of eight churches and three schools, performing once or twice a day over the course of the week.

Many members of Chamber Singers say the highlight of the experience was the time spent with their fellow choir members. Junior Hannah Beck, a soprano for the choir, describes, “getting to know the rest of the choir in a new context” as her favorite part of the tour. “We had lots of time just to be together and our exhaustion really brought out our goofy sides. Our travel time in the vans was filled with loud singing, classic travel games, and lots of interesting conversations.”

Sophomore and alto Iris Anderson had similar feelings. “There is something super special and deeply connecting about singing with someone else, and that connection is only made deeper by spending hours with people in a 15 passenger van. There were definitely some wonderful conversations and big laughs shared throughout the week.”

Chamber Singers’ Director Benjamin Bergey had his own appreciation for the relationships strengthened during the tour. “There were lots of great conversations in the vans, many games played, and new friendships that I saw. For me, this kind of community-building is one of my favorite parts of tour since it can really improve the ensemble.”

This spring break tour was the first of two tours the choir will go on this semester. The second will be an international tour through Europe at the end of the current academic year.  

As previously mentioned, the theme of this year’s tours is, “Local and Global: songs of peace and justice.” This theme was chosen by Bergey with both trips in mind. 

“Since we were doing two tours this semester, I wanted to bring a piece of home, especially since we have tons of great music and composers from this region.” He continues, “as we go to Europe in May, we wanted to be able to take a few things from the Shenandoah Valley to give a taste of our home as we also engage with songs from around the world.”

Chamber Singers’ final local performance of the semester will take place at Park View Mennonite Church on April 30 at 7p.m. 

Additional photos and videos from the tour can be found on Chamber Singers’ Instagram, @emuchambersingers.