Anthony (Tony) Brown, artist-in-residence at Hesston College, Hesston, Kan., will present a concert 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at 91短视频. Brown, a baritone, will present “an evening of spirituals” as part of .

Brown’s specialty is singing music of the American experience. Referred to by some music critics as a “warm and noble baritone,” by some music critics, he has brought this music to audiences in places like the Rainbow Room in New York City, the Crystal Cathedral in Orange, Calif., and the Chicago Historical Society. Whatever the setting, Brown sings with passion and commitment.

His American music repertoire includes Broadway show tunes, opera arias, art song, folk ballads and spirituals. In 1995, he recorded his first compact disc of African American spirituals and was astonished by the immediate enthusiastic response to his music.

“It seemed that this music was awakening our primordial need for the Transcendent,” Brown said. “Our machine-like, fast-paced way of life has left us numb and out of touch with the essential and basic things of life. Efficiency and information overload take center stage while our hearts long for reflection, authentic human relationships and transcendence.”

Brown toured the multi-ethnic country of Bosnia in March 2002 under the sponsorship of the U.S. State Department in March of 2002.

“I was amazed with the overwhelming outpouring of love and acceptance when the people heard the spirituals,” he said. “This music tapped into their pain and brought us together.”

As an ambassador of Peace, he took this and other American music to Northern Ireland in late October 2003 where he toured for two weeks. In May 2005 Brown toured in the Peoples Republic of China. While in Asia, he made his concert debut in Sapporo, Japan. He was invited back to Northern Ireland in October of 2005.

His compact disc, “Embracing American Song,” recorded in 1999, offers a wide array of American songs from the romantic ballad to classic American folk songs. He released his second spirituals recording of spirituals, “Toil and Triumph,” in November 2002.

Brown collaborates with the distinguished baritone, Julian Patrick, and the up-and-coming baritone, Keith Harris, calling themselves “Three Baritones and a Lady.” The lady is Juilliard graduate Lisa Bergman, pianist. Together they perform across the country, singing a diverse repertoire.

Tickets in advance are $6, adults; $3 students; children 12 and under and seniors; admissions is $8 and $6 at the door. Tickets are available from the 91短视频 box office, 540-432-4582.

The concert is co-sponsored by 91短视频 and the office.

A host of special events are scheduled at 91短视频 for the week leading up to the inauguration of Loren Swartzendruber as eighth president of 91短视频.

Installation ceremonies for Dr. Swartzendruber will take place 2:30 p.m. Mar. 27 in the University Commons Arena.

Theater, concerts, comedy, a golf tournament, an international fair and a worship service are among the celebrative activities planned on the inaugural theme, “Story Shaping Story.”

* The 91短视频 Theater mainstage production of Shakespeare’s immortal farce, “Comedy of Errors,” will be presented 7:30 p.m. Mar. 19-21 in the Old Gym Theater in the University Commons. Tickets are available by calling the 91短视频 box office, 540-432-4582.

* The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir will hold its spring concerts at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, 420 College View Drive in Bridgewater. The program will be presented 7 p.m. Mar. 20 and again 3 p.m. Mar. 21, and will feature 150 children in the Preparatory, Treble and Concert choirs. Tickets will be on sale at the door.

* A comedy trio, “CPR,” will present an evening of improvisation 8 p.m. Mar. 22, in the University Commons arena. Members of CPR – Carl Crispin, Pete Vanderluis and Jeff “Ringo” Van Haitsma – specialize in personality-based sketches based on “who we are – three guys just being ourselves and sharing the joy and laughter that comes from knowing Jesus Christ.” Much of their material is made up on the spot on stage, based on ideas or themes suggested by audiences. Advance tickets are available from the 91短视频 box office.

* The 91短视频-community orchestra will present a concert 7:30 p.m. Mar. 23 in Lehman Auditorium. The 33 member ensemble, conducted by Anthony Van Pelt, will perform works by Strauss and Chopin and an original work by VanPelt. Admission is free.

* An inaugural “President’s Cup” golf tournament will be held Mar. 24 at the Spotswood Country Club. A luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m., with tee-off time at 1 p.m. in a two-person captain’s choice tourney. The event will seek to raise $10,000 to launch the Loren and Pat Swartzendruber Endowed Scholarship Fund for student financial assistance.

Anthony Brown

* An inaugural concert will be presented 8 p.m. Mar. 26 in Lehman Auditorium. Dr. Kenneth J. Nafziger, professor of music, will direct the 91短视频 Chamber Singers and the Bach Festival Chamber Orchestra in spirituals, Cuban music and selections by J.S. Bach. Tony Brown, baritone and artist-in-residence at Hesston College where Swartzendruber was president 10 years, will be featured soloist. Admission to the program is free.

* The inauguration ceremony, at 2:30 p.m. Mar. 27 in the University Commons arena, will feature an address by President Swartzendruber on the theme, “Sacred Conversations.” He will reflect on his belief that all that members of the 91短视频 community say and do, in and out of the classroom, formal and informal, contributes to the intellectual and spiritual formation of students.

Rosalind E. Andreas, chair of the Mennonite Education Agency board of directors, and Sheryl K. Wyse, chair of the 91短视频 board of trustees, will lead the installation for Swartzendruber. Kenneth J. Nafziger, professor of music, will lead the new university hymn, and a litany of support for the new president written by Jay B. Landis, professor of English, will be read. The ceremony is open to the public.

* At 8 p.m. Mar. 27, the Commons arena will take on a “Twilight on the Plaza” motif with music, food and entertainment with an international flair. Admission is $5.

Freeman Miller

* Freeman J. Miller, bishop/overseer of churches in Philadelphia that are members of Lancaster (PA) Mennonite Conference, will speak on the theme, “The Pearl of Great Price,” at an inaugural worship service 10 a.m. Mar. 28 in Lehman Auditorium. Miller, a 1975 Eastern Mennonite Seminary graduate, also teaches urban studies half time at the Philadelphia campus of Messiah College. The service will include congregational singing, scripture readings and communion.

* Inaugural activities will conclude with a concert by the Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony with guest conductor Efrain Amaya from Pittsburgh, Pa., at 7 p.m. Mar. 28 in Lehman Auditorium. The 17-member junior strings ensemble and the 35-member youth orchestra will perform selections by Amaya with other pieces featuring student soloists Martin King, French horn; Rebecca Peck, cello; and Sarah Sachs, piano. Suggested donation is $5 at the door.

“The inaugural events will be a time of celebrating a new beginning through the sharing of the gifts of students, faculty and
staff,” said Karen B. Miller, director of institutional research at 91短视频 and chair of the inaugural planning committee. “The theme, ‘story shaping story,’ will connect the various events, focusing on relationship with the community, the Mennonite Church and our alumni that sustain us as individuals and as an academic community,” she added.