The Bel Canto Singers of Hesston College will present programs in Mennonite congregations and in Mennonite schools in the East and Midwest during a nearly two-week summer tour May 4-14.

The concert titled Our God is Near features an eclectic repertoire spanning renaissance to modern works. Featured composers include William Byrd, Arvo Pärt, William Grant Stills, James Clemens, and Stephen Paulus. Bel Canto Singers is conducted by Bradley Kauffman, a college music faculty member.

The 20-voice mixed ensemble was selected by competitive audition in the spring of 2008. Sopranos are Rebecca Friesen (Aurora, Neb.); Jessica Juhnke (Hesston, Kan.); Jasmine Martin (New Holland, Pa.); Cassandra Steiner (Apple Creek, Ohio); and Lauren Zehr (Wauseon, Ohio).

Altos are Kory Hiebert (Goessel, Kan.); Emily Hornung (Osage City, Kan.); Kristen Horst (Orrville, Ohio); Ana Loucks (Hesston, Kan.); and Annali Murray (Orrville, Ohio).

Tenors are Dmitry Bucklin (Mountain Lake, Minn.); Ethan Mast (Dundee, Ohio); John Murray (Hesston, Kan.); Drew Nussbaum (Apple Creek, Ohio); and Nathan Snyder (Fruita, Colo.).

Basses are Sam Kauffman (Surrey, N.D.); Logan Miller (Apple Creek, Ohio); Carson Stutzman (Beaver Crossing, Neb.); Mitch Stutzman (Middlebury, Ind.); and Jason Unruh (Peabody, Kan.).

This spring marks the completion of Kauffman’s second year on Hesston College’s music faculty where he chairs the department and directs the instrumental music program. Prior to coming to Hesston, Kauffman was director of Instrumental Music at Bethany Christian Schools, Goshen, Ind., and director of Choral and Instrumental Music at Iowa Mennonite School, Kalona, Iowa. Kauffman holds a master’s of art degree in choral conducting from the University of Iowa.

During the 2008-09 school year, the Bel Canto Singers performed at major school events, in local churches, on tour, and by special invitation.