Bel Canto Singers prepare for fall tours

Bel Canto Fall 2018
Posted on by Rachel McMaster

Hesston College’s premier vocal ensemble, the Bel Canto Singers, is preparing for short fall tours over two weekends in October and November.

The 27-voice mixed chamber choir, under the direction of Dr. Russell Adrian, will present a program entitled “Grant Us Peace,” which was inspired by the college’s International Peace Day celebration in September. The program features a wide range of genres.

Tour itineraries include:

  • Thursday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m., Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston, Kan.
  • Friday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m., Rocky Mountain Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Relief Sale, Rocky Ford, Colo.
  • Sunday, Oct. 21, Beth-El Mennonite Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • Saturday, Nov. 17, Salem Mennonite Church, Shickley, Neb.
  • Sunday, Nov. 18, Bethesda Mennonite Church, Henderson, Neb.

Members of the Bel Canto Singers are: Erica Baer, Apple Creek, Ohio; Tanner DeGrado, Newton, Kan.; Harley Foster, Lancaster, Pa.; Risa Fukaya, Zushi, Japan; Elizabeth Fulcher, Goodland, Kan.; Esmi Hernandez, Newton, Kan.; Kytrena Hightree, Harper, Kan.; Jaden Hostetter, Harrisonburg, Va.; Leah Huyard, Staunton, Va.; Madi Kauffman, Haven, Kan.; Chris Lichti, Shickley, Neb.; Nicole Loewen, Hutchinson, Kan.; Taylor Longenecker, Harrisonburg, Va.; Mariana Martinez, Harrisonburg, Va.; Rachel Miller, Freeman, S.D.; Jared Oyer, Hubbard, Ore.; Emma Prowell, Lenexa, Kan.; Raelynn Reeves, Abilene, Kan.; Seth Rudeen, Osage City, Kan.; Kenton Schroeder, Harper, Kan.; Jack Shingler, Creston, Ohio; Dylan Slabach Brubaker, Harrisonburg, Va.; Therin Smith, Key West, Fla.; Addie Swartzendruber, Henderson, Neb.; Madison Swartzendruber, Goshen, Ind.; Stephen Waltner, Freeman, S.D.; and Navy Widyani, Jakarta, Indonesia. Music professor Ken Rodgers is accompanist for the group.

The 2018-19 year marks the 35th season for the Bel Canto Singers. The group carries out ambitious concert and touring schedules annually. Recent juried appearances have included performances for VOCES8, Chanticleer, The King’s Singers, Charles Bruffy and the Rose Ensemble.