BULLETIN
FALL/WINTER 2009-10
Campus News
9
Music Department releases new choir CDs
Art of quilting lives on across generations Usually when college students attend the annual Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale, they see quilts auctioned off for the good cause of global relief which were made by people who remind them of their grandmothers back home. But at this year’s Relief Sale in late September, some Goshen College students were the creators of #244 in the quilt program book: a 62-inch-square sampler wall hanging with an international feel of blue, purple, red and yellow Batik fabrics. The quilt was the culmination of a new program, “Passing on Traditions,” which has not only produced contributions to aid in international relief and development, but has also built bridges of friendship across generations. During weekly Wednesday night gatherings after a light supper together, about 50 college students – both men and women of varying levels of experience – contributed to the quilt during the spring of 2009. Though the group participants changed weekly, they cut the fabric, arranged the blocks and sewed them together. And they were joined by about 20 avid quilters from College Mennonite Church (CMC) to do the framing and quilting over several months. During these evenings together, students also learned how to tie comforters and knit, while sharing stories and fellowship as their hands and fingers moved needles and thread to create something new. Kelly Frey, a sophomore nursing major from Shipshewana, Ind., attends CMC on Sundays while in school. “I learned that quilting and knitting with women equals quality conversation and bonding,” Frey said. “It’s nice to know that these women are thinking
of us throughout the week; I know they are praying for me, and that is comforting.” The group was formed out of the theatrical production of “Quilters” in May 2008. Professor of Music Deb Brubaker, a quilter herself, was directing the musical, and in teaching the actresses and crew how to quilt, excitement and interest developed for the lost art. She made connections with College Mennonite Church, which shares the college campus, and the idea for a longer term opportunity to learn the art and craft of quilting was developed by Edna Rieth and others from the church’s Mennonite Women group. When “Passing on Traditions” began in the fall semester, the group quickly knotted five comforters to send to refugee camps through Mennonite Central Committee. “The students seem to like that the projects go to serve others,” said Rebecca Sommers, a long-time quilter that has offered her expertise for this project. When the 2009 Relief Sale quilt auction was over, the Batik wall hanging the students had completed – with varying sizes of stitches – first sold for $350, and then was donated back to the sale and sold for another $170. The money raised was important, but maybe not the most important outcome. Sommers said, “What I like about it is the big stitches next to the small stitches. I see it as a coming together.” Sophie Lapp, a first-year music and art major from Goshen, started attending the weekly gathering this school year. “I really like quilts and it is always something I thought I would like to learn,” she said. With that, maybe there will be quilt auctions at Relief Sales for many more years to come. – By Jodi H. Beyeler
JODI H. BEYELER
The “Passing on Traditions” group in the fall 2009 hold up the Batik wall hanging that was auctioned at the Relief Sale: (left to right) first-year student Sophie Lapp, Shirley Dyck, Rebecca Sommers, Joy Hess, Talashia Keim, Vera Schmucker, Phoebe Lederach, Florence Nussbaum and first-year student Amanda Kwist.
The Music Department released two new CD recordings featuring the four choirs. The new CD “Song by Song” features the 2008-09 Chamber Choir and Chorale, directed by Professor of Music Debra Brubaker and Assistant Professor of Music Scott Hochstetler. The new CD “Sisters and Brothers” features two of the campus’ most beloved choirs: the 2008-09 Women’s World Music Choir and Men’s Chorus, also directed by Brubaker and Hochstetler. The CD features performances of world music, spirituals and choral arrangements. The CDs can be purchased for $15 (includes shipping) at the Music Center office, by calling (574) 535-7361 or e-mailing music@goshen.edu.