Comments on: Singing to Ken J. Nafziger: faculty and former students gather for a retirement send-off

By: Aisha Paal

Aisha Paal — Tue, 01 May 2018 07:14:01 +0000

My most deep-felt memory of Ken Nafzinger is the afternoon he led worship in celebration of Tom Fox, the Christian Peacemaker Team member who was killed in Iraq. Through his reverent and radical inter-weaving of song, scripture, thoughtful commentary and poetry, Ken led us through a most moving hour of not only expressing grief but also a gut-fortifying rendition of the highest purpose to which we are all called to as people who seek peace

By: Baidu Root

Baidu Root — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:16:30 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing…

By: Naina

Naina — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 05:55:06 +0000

By: Riya

Riya — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 10:04:08 +0000

Even though Ken was not present when I was a student as I have come to regard Ken as a mentor. I have observed him at Laurelville and other places. My sense of music has been shaped by his creative approach to music. I share his love of hymns and the great classics.

By: Jim Prosser

Jim Prosser — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 14:50:49 +0000

Ken,
I was glad that a Williamsburg friend and 91��Ƶ alumna sent me the retirement article. I’ve often thought of you and mentally thanked you for the years I sang with you and Voce. I usually wish retiring friends a time of relaxation and rest, but that would be a silly wish for you. I’m sure you’ll find many ways to bring your joyful gift of music to more people in more ways.
Happiness and Godspeed,
Jim Prosser

By: Bradley Swope

Bradley Swope — Tue, 30 May 2017 18:08:39 +0000

Here is a short list of the things I remember with gratitude from my years in Chamber Singers. Ken made those rehearsals music theory, history, theology and community all in one package. We rehearsed four hours per week for zero credits, but we loved every minute of it.

-The first several Leipzig Lutheran service recreations featuring a Bach cantata.

-Singing in Ken’s Shenandoah Valley Choral Society, performances such as “Israel in Egypt.”

-Alice Parker’s residency and the performance of “Martyr’s Mirror”

-Commissioning of “Sacred Symphonies” and their first performance.

-Euroterm 1985 to Munich, Stuttgart, Poland and East Germany, led by Ken and Helen.

-The opportunity to sing under Helmuth Rilling.

-Performing “Hymn to St. Cecilia” by Britten, unaccompanied — an unbelievable challenge, but Ken never doubted we could do it.

-Music that was so beautiful and profound that it was sometimes hard to get through it without being overwhelmed emotionally: The St. Matthew Passion, Psalm settings by Mendelssohn and the Rheinburger “Bleib bei uns,” for example.

I could go on a lot longer, but you get the idea! Thanks a million, Ken!

By: Cathy Smeltzer Erb

Cathy Smeltzer Erb — Tue, 30 May 2017 13:55:53 +0000

As a member of the 91��Ƶ faculty, I have been blessed immeasurably by Ken’s thoughtful and inspirational worship leading at our annual fall faculty/staff conference, and numerous events over the years. What I’ve appreciated most is Ken’s God-inspired text interwoven with the sacred words of a musical text, and his ability to simultaneously nudge and nurture the soul. Thank you, Ken, for sharing your spiritual and musical gifts with the 91��Ƶ community–and the whole-wide world!

By: Earl Martiin

Earl Martiin — Tue, 30 May 2017 12:04:13 +0000

My most profound memory of Ken Nafzinger is the afternoon he led worship in commemoration of Tom Fox, the Christian Peacemaker Team member who was killed in Iraq. Through his reverent and radical inter-weaving of song, scripture, thoughtful commentary and poetry, Ken led us through a most moving hour of not only expressing grief but also a gut-fortifying rendition of the highest purpose to which we are all called to as people who seek peace. Never before was I quite so impressed with how churningly subversive worship can be. Worship — and music — under the direction of Ken Nafzinger subverts the machinations of empire and calls us to a loyalty to the deepest beauties of our common divine purpose.

By: John Shenk

John Shenk — Tue, 30 May 2017 11:59:51 +0000

Your great service to 91��Ƶ I have been blessed over 40 years and to thousands of others!

By: Ralph Alderfer

Ralph Alderfer — Tue, 30 May 2017 11:05:37 +0000

Even though Ken was not present when I was a student, since I have come to regard Ken as a mentor. I have observed him at Laurelville and other places. My sense of music has been shaped by his creative approach to music. I share his love of hymns and the great classics.