This past weekend (March 15-17) Bethany hosted the annual Midwest Mennonite High School Orchestra Festival. The school welcomed students from both Central Christian High School in Kidron Ohio, and Iowa Mennonite School in Kalona Iowa. Beginning at 4:00 on Friday afternoon, the students took part in two days of intense rehearsal culminating in a Sunday performance at Goshen College’s Sauder Concert Hall.
The festival performance is the biggest event of each orchestra’s calendar. Each school begins rehearsing months in advance for a special program chosen that year. The music is selected by that year’s guest conductor who will lead the orchestra during rehearsal. Each school also prepares an individual piece to show off their school’s talent.
This year’s guest conductor was Goshen College professor Christopher Fashun. He enjoyed choosing a diverse program for the orchestra and thanked the students for letting him be part of such a “meaningful” experience. Assistant directors included Barb Slagel, Brooke Bennett, and Jessie Bennett of Bethany; Micah Detweiler of Goshen College; Josh Tyson of IMS; and Bonnie Weaver and Lara Dudack of CCS. Bethany was also excited to secure the services of Sonny Carreno to work with the jazz ensemble.
The students enjoyed the chance to meet and interact with students from other schools. Many also hosted visiting student in their homes. “I liked just getting to know people and hanging out with them at the rec,” said Noelle Baumgartner (‘16). Lena Yeakey (‘15) found the visitors less sociable than they have been in the past. “They didn’t talk to us as much as last year,” she told Sightline.
Next year’s festival is scheduled to be held at Central Christian, with planning already well underway. Bethany’s orchestra will have 27 members returning and a very strong incoming freshman class. Director Barbara Slagel hopes that returning members will step up as leaders in the new year, and has high hopes for the orchestra’s future.
Adam Krahn (’14) watches intently during rehearsal
~Joe Kreider