The Genevans’ Spring Tour Proclaims “God Is Our Refuge” - Geneva College
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The Genevans’ Spring Tour Proclaims “God Is Our Refuge”

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(BEAVER FALLS, Pa.) – The Genevans, student choir of Geneva College, heads south this spring with a program entitled “God Is Our Refuge.” After their opening concert at the Reformed Presbyterian Home in Pittsburgh on March 1, 2017, the choir will give performances in six states from West Virginia to Florida during their eleven-day tour March 3-13. In addition, the choir will appear in Geneva College’s John White Chapel for their annual spring home concerts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 17 and 18.

The Genevans’ 79th concert season celebrates 500 years since the beginning of the Reformation in 1517. Conductor David Kenneth Smith notes, “Our program celebrates Martin Luther’s rediscovery of God’s grace through the finished work of Christ our Savior. As the heirs of a Christian tradition rooted in the Reformation, we joyfully proclaim the Lord as our mighty fortress throughout this spring’s program.”

At the forefront of The Genevans’ program is Martin Luther’s paraphrase of Psalm 46, known today as the hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” The choir will present two settings of this stalwart chorale, first in English and then in a polyphonic German setting from the first movement of J.S. Bach’s cantata Ein’ Feste Burg (BWV 80). Other psalms proclaiming God as Fortress, Rock and Redeemer fill the first half of The Genevans’ program, including senior Communication major Michael Kearney’s settings of Psalms 103 and 121 and Diane Whitacre’s setting of Psalm 98. After an intermission, the choir will perform several hymns and spirituals declaring the Lord’s great faithfulness, climaxing in a triumphant organ setting of Vaughan Williams’ hymn “For All the Saints.” Continuing a long tradition, The Genevans will close every concert by performing Christiansen’s arrangement of “Beautiful Savior” and Paul Manz’s anthem “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” in a circular formation around their audience.

Geneva College’s president, Dr. Calvin L. Troup, and his wife will travel with The Genevans on tour. Dr. Troup comments, “We’re delighted to go on The Genevans’ tour this spring and reach out to alumni, churches, and others we’ll serve along the way. The college couldn’t ask for better ambassadors than The Genevans, and we’re proud to be with them as they perform. What a great adventure it will be for alums to head for spring break in Florida!”

The Genevans’ concerts are open to the public and free of charge; many host churches on the tour collect an offering to help support the choir’s performances. Senior Music Education major Matthew Montgomery from New Castle, PA will perform the Psalm 91 setting “He That Dwelleth in the Secret Place of the Most High” by James G. MacDermid for the offertory, accompanied by Michael Kearney. During intermission, concertgoers will enjoy performances by the Grace Notes, a women’s ensemble, and the Eight Bells, a double barbershop quartet.

The Genevans choir exists to glorify God and minister to people through the gift of music. Founded in 1938, the choir continues a rich heritage of choral singing dating from the early years of the college over a century and a half ago. The mission of The Genevans is to engage audiences while glorifying God and ministering with important spiritual truth. Over the course of their long history, The Genevans have acquired a reputation for choral excellence, musical variety and spiritual impact.

For more information, including recordings for purchase, booking information, and The Genevans’ full concert schedule, visit The Genevans on the web at http://www.geneva.edu/genevans, or contact conductor Dr. David Kenneth Smith at (724) 847-6662 or at dksmith@geneva.edu. Stay up-to-date with The Genevans’ tour itinerary by following them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thegenevans.

Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Offering over 40 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, Adult Degree Programs with fully online and classroom options, and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva’s programs are recognized for their high quality. U.S. News & World Report ranks Geneva as a Top Three Best Value Regional University with one of the Top 100 engineering programs in the nation. Adhering to the truth of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God’s Word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today’s world.

Feb 20, 2017