Celebration of Service, continued from page 6.
Weston Noble rehearses the 50-voice Celebration of Service choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, WA. (Photo by Sam Ryden)
Festival chorus pairs students with world-class conductor As part of the Celebration of Service events, Weston Noble conducted in a 50-voice festival chorus comprised of college students, staff, alumni, and community members. The concert was held April 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, WA, with Trinity faculty Stephen Marshall-Ward and Michael Miller also conducting pieces. The program included Jeffery Ames’ “In Remembrance,” Roger Emerson’s “Set Down Servant,” and Gilbert Martin’s arrangement of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” one of Noble’s signature pieces. “Working with Weston Noble was a musically inspiring experience that ultimately brought about spiritual transformation in all of us,” said Marshall-Ward, chair of the Music & Worship program. The concert and an earlier masterclass gave Trinity students the opportunity to engage with a world-renowned conductor. “Singing under Weston Noble was life-changing for me, because he had an infectious spirit that breathed joy into the ensemble as he conducted,” said Evan Albright, one of the 22 students in the choir. The affection was evidently mutual: “I am the newest fan of the music department at Trinity Lutheran College! You have something very special happening here!,” Noble said. A number of participants were Noble’s former students from Luther College. Grant Trask, a former member of the Nordic Choir, flew to Everett for the sole purpose of participating in the festival chorus. He was thrilled at the opportunity to sing once again with a conductor who brought such a sense of God’s love and spirit to the music and the rehearsals. “Warm and personable, with humor and anecdote, unfailing patience and kindness, Noble is a humble man who is small in stature but has a big heart. He is someone who early found the gift given by God and has used it to tremendous effect,” Trask said. Story by Annemarie Russell and Mark Jackson.
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In addition to Noble, the Rev. Ruben Duran (’79) received the Alumni Service Award for his tireless efforts in developing new churches and his commitment to justice. Business entrepreneurs John and Eleanor Yackel were given the Kairos Award for their humble, yet remarkable, efforts in promoting peace and justice in multiple aspects of their lives. (See honoree profiles on page 9.) Each recipient demonstrates a life of service fueled by a deep, abiding faith in God. For Noble, it’s music that speaks so deeply to his spirit. Those in attendance couldn’t miss the deep interconnection between Noble’s vocation (choral conducting) and his faith in Christ. “The great Robert Shaw always said, ‘Music is the voice of the spirit.’ People, I’m here to tell you this is true. Music is the most wonderful, universal thing in the world. It’s what I’ve done, and it’s what I love,” Noble said. With inspiring words like these, along with hearty endorsements of Trinity by the recipients, the evening illustrated the important role Trinity plays in helping students discern their sense of vocation and call through service. Attendees were given the opportunity to support the college’s continued emphasis on servant leadership, and $45,000 was raised. Story by Annemarie Russell.