The Choir
Names,
Hometowns and Majors
Soprano
GRACE BACHELOR
Gridley, IL
Psychology
LEAH BAUMHAUER
Wheaton, IL
Biology
RACHEL BLACKLOCK
Manteno, IL
Business
ANNIKA CALLAN
Malvern, PA
Music Education
ASHLYN COOK
Crystal Lake, IL
Elementary Education
RACHAEL DEXTER
Danforth, IL
Music Performance
ABBY DIAZ
Yorkville, IL
Voice Performance/ Worship Arts
MARIA GONDOS
Brookfield, IL
Pastoral Ministry/Art
MORGAN GULLEY
Bedford, IN
Social Work/Missions
CASSIDY HASTINGS
Naperville, IL
ASHLYNN SCOTT
Mount Vernon, OH
Mechanical Engineering/
Data Science
PEYTON
SPANGENBERG
Bartlesville, OK
Public Relations/Spanish
ELIYAH WHITE
Eureka, IL
Music Educaton
Alto
GRACIE AMBURGY
Canal Winchester, OH
Pastoral Ministry
ABI BOWEN
Champaign, IL
Music/Psychology
ELLA CLOSE
Swartz Creek, MI
Elementary Education
MAKENNA DIEKHOFF
Delavan, IL
Children’s Ministry/ Psychology
JAINA DUBBERT
Braidwood, IL
Worship Arts
NINA FEY
Gridley, IL
Graphic Design
MACY PARPART
Farmington Hills, MI
Communications
STELLA RITCHIE
Morton, IL
Psychology
HANNAH ROSE
Flint, MI
Social Work
RYLEIGH SHAUL
Bourbonnais, IL
Interior Design/Art
MCKENNA SMITH
Bourbonnais, IL
Special Education
LILY STURGELL
Germantown Hills, IL
Spanish Education
LIZ TYLER
Peoria, IL
Early Childhood Education
Tenor
DEXTER ARENS
Peotone, IL
Chemistry
LOUIS FOURNIER
Canton, IL
Music
TREVOR GONZALEZ
Valparaiso, IN
Piano Performance
STEPHEN YANTES
Manteno, IL
Earth and Space Science
Bass
RAYMOND BOUDREAU
Kankakee, IL
Music Composition
TOBIN BROWN
Novi, MI
Electrical Engineering
CARTER CHEEK
Wylie, TX
Music Composition/
Recording Arts
CALEB COOK
Swartz Creek, MI
Nursing
JOHNNY COOK
Olathe, KS
Accounting/Finance
SPENCER COOK
Overland Park, KS
Biology
SHAWN EMMERSON
Glendale, AZ
Psychology/Sociology
JACE HUNT
Kankakee, IL
Radio & Audio
Production
NOEMI FIGUEROA
Pastoral Ministry
CALEB MCKNIGHT
Early Childhood Education
ALY LEISURE
SALINAS
DJ HICKE
Clearwater, FL
Hillsboro, IL
Psychology
EMILY NEEL
North Canton, OH
Architectural & Civil
Engineering/Mathematics
Rock Island, IL
Music Educaiton
AKEMI HORI
Bourbonnais, IL
Music, Biochemistry
GRACE MOORE
Macomb, IL
Theater
COLE MORRIS
Germantown Hills, IL
Pastoral Ministry/Biblical Studies
Art Education
WATSON PORTER
Lenexa, KS
Music Education
REMINGTON
SCHLEYHAHN
MICHAEL NEEL
Oskaloosa, IA
Havana, IL
LAUREN NEEL
North Canton, OH
Theater
Elementary Education
OLIVIA MORRIS
North Canton, OH
Pastoral Ministry
Theater/ Music Education
GABBY PHILLIPS
Spring Hill, TN
Music Education
Metamora, IL
Multimedia
Communication
ZACH O’HAVER
Holbrook, MA
Recording Arts
WILL SUITS
Lee’s Summit, MO
Music Education
ANA QUEZADA
Peoria, IL
MAYCEE NICKLE
Lafayette, IN
Music Education
COLLIN REYNOLDS
Bourbonnais, IL
Zoology
WILL WIEGMAN
Sand Springs, OK
Mechanical Engineering/
International Marketing/ Accounting
MAYA ROBINSON
Junction City, KS
Worship Arts/ Occupational Therapy
ABBY ORTMAN
Port Huron, MI
Interior & Architectural
Design
PARKER RICHARDSON
Bradley, IL
Pre-Physical Therapy
NATHAN TAYLOR
Toledo, OH
Electrical Engineering
TITUS YODER
Morton, IL
Pre-Physical Therapy
The Conductor
DR. JEFF BELL
Professor of Music, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Music
Dr. Jeff Bell is the fourth conductor of Olivet Nazarene University’s Orpheus Choir, and has served as professor of music at Olivet Nazarene University since 1997. He earned his B.S. in music education from Olivet Nazarene University, his M.Mus. in vocal performance and literature from the University of Illinois, and his Doctor of Arts in vocal performance from Ball State University.
Dr. Bell ’81 is a past conductor of the ONU Orchestra, and is the current conductor of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Chorus. He serves as organist and choir director at College Church University Avenue in Bourbonnais, Illinois. He has performed in recitals, operas and oratorios, and is a published composer and arranger. He and his wife, Carole (King) ’81, have two grown daughters, Christin and Katie, and two grandchildren.
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Olivet Nazarene University has led the call of an “Education with a Christian Purpose” since 1907. With its robust commitment to affordability, Olivet is consistently ranked a “Best Value” by US News Best Colleges. Olivet seeks not only to be the best option for each qualified student, but the most financially sound.
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Grace Amburgey
CLASS OF 2026 | CANAL WINCHESTER, OHIO
major: pastoral ministry, minor: music
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Why did you choose Olivet?
I chose Olivet because of the peace that I felt when I came and visited for the first time. I had been wrestling with where the Lord was calling me after high school, but knew as soon as I visited campus that I was meant to spend the next four years here.
What is your favorite thing about Olivet?
My favorite thing about Olivet is the fact that I’ve gotten to meet so many other Christians my age that are seeking the Lord‘s will over their life.
What is your favorite Olivet memory so far?
I think my favorite Olivet memories are the multitude of worship nights with my friends over the years.
What do you love about Orpheus? I love how Orpheus is a space that we just get to come and worship the Lord three times a week. I also appreciate how we set time aside during rehearsals to share something good from the week.
What is one interesting fact about yourself?
Fun fact about me, I served as a camp counselor for two years where I also got to be a lifeguard!
What are your post-grad plans?
I’m not 100% sure my plans post grad but really just want to lean into where the Lord is calling me! I hope to serve in a college-aged ministry of some sort.
The Music
10,000 Reasons
Words and music by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman, Arranged by David Wise
Bless the Lord, O bless the Lord! Bless the Lord, my soul. My soul will bless the Lord! Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O my soul, worship His holy Name, His Name! Sing like never before,
O my soul, O my soul!
I’ll worship His holy Name! Alleluia! Alleluia!
I will bless the Lord!
Alleluia
Music by Ralph Manuel Alleluia.
Alma Mater, Olivet
Byron Carmony
To Alma Mater, Olivet, we lift our voice in praise for noble standards which we’ll hold ‘til ending of our days.
The times we spent within these walls will ne’er forgotten be, for here we learned to know of truth, and truth will make us free.
My Olivet, our Olivet, though life may lead us far apart,
I’ll still revere you in my heart.
My Olivet, our Olivet, I’ll love the Christ you gave first part, and you old Olivet.
And Can It Be?
Text by Charles Wesley Hymn tune & Choral arrangement by Jeff Bell
And can it be that I should gain An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain, For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing Love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above, So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all immense and free, For, O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night. Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray.
I woke; the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off; my heart was free. I rose, went forth and followed Thee. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne And claim the crown through Christ my own.
Be Thou My Vision
Traditional Irish Hymn
Choral arrangement by Jeff Bell
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. Naught be all else to me save that Thou art. Thou my best thought by day or by night.
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my Light.
Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word.
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I thy true son. Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.
High King of Heaven, my victory won.
May I reach Heaven’s joys, bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
New Carol of the Bells
Text by P. Wilhousky; additional text by M. Hohman
Music by M. Leontovich
Choral arrangement by Kadison Beaver
Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells,
All seem to say, throw cares away.
Christmas is here, ringing good cheer,
To young and old, meek and the bold.
Ding dong ding dong, that is their song,
With joyful ring, all caroling.
One seems to hear words of good cheer
From everywhere filling the air.
Oh, how they pound, raising the sound
O’er hill and dale, telling their tale. Gladly they ring while people sing Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here!
Merry Christmas!
On, on they send, on without end, Their joyful tone to ev’ry home.
Ring Christmas bells, merrily ring, Tell all the world Jesus is King! Loudly proclaim with one accord The happy tale, welcome the Lord! Come, all ye people, join in the singing. Repeat the story told by the ringing. Jesus is King! This is why we sing!
Down In the River To Pray
Traditional song, Arranged by Matthew Culloton
As I went down in the river to pray, studyin’ about that good old way and who shall wear the starry crown, Good Lord, show me the way.
Oh, sisters, let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down,
Oh, sisters, let’s go down, down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray, studyin’ about that good old way and who shall wear the robe and crown, Good Lord, show me the way.
Oh, brothers, let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down.
Oh, brothers, let’s go down, down in the river to pray.
Esto Les Digo
Text from Matthew 18:19-20 Music by Kinley Lange
Translation: This I say to you:
If two of you are put in accord Here on earth to ask anything in prayer, My Father which is in heaven, will give it to you. Because where two or three Are gathered in my name, There am I in the midst of them.
Holy Forever
Text & Music by C. Tomlin, J. Ingram, P. Wickham
Choral arrangement by Jeff Bell
A thousand generations falling down in worship
To sing the song of ages to the Lamb. And all who’ve come before us
And all who will believe
Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb. Your name is the highest, Your name is the greatest,
Your name stands above them all.
All thrones and dominions, all pow’rs and positions,
Your name, it stands above them all.
And the angels cry, “Holy!” All creation cries, Holy!”
You are lifted high, “Holy!” Holy forever.
If you’ve been forgiven and if you’ve been redeemed,
Sing the song forever to the Lamb.
If you walk in freedom, and if you bear His name,
Sing the song forever to the Lamb.
We’ll sing the song forever and Amen!
All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name And crown Him Lord of all.
Holy! Holy! You will always be holy, holy forever. Crown Him Lord of all!
Jerusalema
Text and Music by Nomcebo Zicode, Master KG, & Loyiso Gijana/ arr. André van der Merwe
Translation:
Jerusalem, my Home! Guard me! Save me! Walk with me, don’t leave me here! I wish, I cry: My place is not here!
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord
Traditional Spiritual Choral arrangement by Moses Hogan
My soul’s been anchored in the Lord. Before I’d stay in hell one day, I’d sing and pray myself away. Goin’ shout and pray and never stop, Until I reach that mountain top. Do you love Him? God almighty. Are you anchored?
Will you serve Him? God almighty. Are you anchored in the Lord? Hallelujah, will you praise Him? Lord, I’m anchored. Lord, I love You. Yes, I’ll serve You. Lord, I’ll praise You. My soul’s been anchored in the Lord!
Praise You, I Will Praise You
Michael W. Smith
Text by Gloria Gaither arranged by Tom Fettke
Lord, I will praise You; I will praise Your name. If the sky and galaxies declare You holy name, if all creation finds the words Your power to proclaim, then how can I articulate with words and with my days Your glory and Your majesty, and live a life of praise?
Praise You, O Lord, I will praise You. My voice will join the chorus that all creation sings. Praise You, O Lord, I will praise You, my Master, my Redeemer, my Savior and King. If stars can find a way to tell the glory of their King, and if the very firmament can find a way to sing, how can I keep silent then and not burst into song, in praise of my Redeemer who has loved me all along?
Then, Lord, I have to Praise You, O Lord, I will praise You. My voice will join the chorus that all creation sings. Praise You, O Lord, I will praise You, my Master, my Redeemer, my Savior. Praise You, O Lord, I will praise You. my Master, my Redeemer, my Savior and King!
SAUL
Egil Hovland (1924-2013);
Text adapted from Acts 8: 1-4, 7 and 9: 1-4 And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
But Saul laid waste the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed
or lame were healed.
Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if any be found belonging to THE WAY, men or women, he might bring them bound in chains back to Jerusalem.
Now as he jouneyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.
Sing and Be Not Silent
Text from Psalm 30
Music by Mary McDonald
Sing to the Lord and be not silent, Sing to the Lord and glorify!
Sing to the Lord, all ye His children. Sing to the Lord, O Most High!
Give thanks to Him and be not silent, Give thanks to Him and magnify!
Sing to the Lord, all ye His children. Sing to the Lord, O Most High!
Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing; Thou hast girded me with gladness.
For His anger is but a moment, His favor endures for a life.
He comes with joy to greet the morning. He gives us hope for each new day.
Give thanks remembering His holiness. Give thanks to Him with songs of praise.
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Peter Lutkin
Text from Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
René Clausen
Text from scripture
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heav’n. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil, For Thine is the kingdom, the power, And the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Will Wiegman
CLASS OF 2027 | SAND SPRINGS, OKLAHOMA
major: engineering with mechanical and electrical concentrations, minor: mathematics
Why did you choose Olivet?
I chose Olivet because I wanted to attend a Nazarene school while pursuing engineering to help keep me grounded in my faith.
What is your favorite thing about Olivet?
My favorite thing about Olivet is the absolutely gorgeous campus. When I’m outside, I am always reminded of God’s creativity and love.
What is your favorite Olivet memory so far?
My favorite memory at Olivet is lazing in the hot tub after a long day of difficult studying.
What do you love about Orpheus? What I love most about Orpheus is the community and the rich message that can be found in the lyrics and harmonies of the songs we sing.
What is one interesting fact about yourself?
I am a 5th-generation Nazarene on both sides of my family. I also had great-great-great-grandparents who were delayed while returning to the US from a mission trip and missed their spot on the Titanic.
What are your post-grad plans?
I plan to go into manufacturing/design or R&D in either the automotive or nuclear energy industry. I may also decide to attend graduate school.
