Bel Canto Singers to embark on spring tour, “Songs of Hope for a World in Need”

Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will travel across Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois in March for their 2026 spring tour, sharing a program titled “Songs of Hope for a World in Need.” The choir will present concerts from March 15 to 24, concluding with a home performance at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Hesston Mennonite Church in Hesston, Kansas.

Under the direction of Interim Music Director Greg Bontrager, the ensemble’s tour centers on music as a transformative force for justice, mercy and peace.

“Through the gift of singing together, we seek more than beautiful sound, we seek transformation,” Bontrager says. “When voices rise in unity, barriers soften and hearts open, creating space for deeper understanding and shared humanity.”

The program reflects themes of compassion and faith, offering what Bontrager describes as “an offering of hope,” reminding a weary world that compassion still lives and love still endures.

Students participating in the tour collectively expressed the belief that music is a joyful, restful and fun way to share peace, prayer and mercy, and they look forward to bringing this experience to every stop along the tour:

• Sunday, March 15 at 8:30 and 11 a.m., Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, 1552 S High St., Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Sunday, March 15 at 4 p.m., Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Ave., Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m., Blossom Hill Mennonite Church, 333 Delp Rd, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m., Plains Mennonite Church, 50 W Orvilla Rd, Hatfield, Pennsylvania
• Wednesday, March 17 at 7 p.m., Salem Mennonite Church, 3363 Zuercher Rd, Dalton, Ohio
• Thursday, March, 19 at 7 p.m., East Goshen Mennonite Church, 2019 E Lincoln Ave, Goshen, Indiana
• Friday, March 20 at 10 a.m., Greencroft Goshen Community Center, 1320 Greencroft Blvd, Goshen, Indiana
• Sunday, March 22 at 9:30 a.m., Mennonite Church of Normal, 805 S Cottage Ave, Normal, Illinois
• Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m., Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 S Main St, Hesston, Kansas