It might be the quietest spot on campus. 

91短视频鈥檚 new Astral Recording Studio, which opened this semester in the former Astral Hall building atop the 91短视频 Hill at 1304 Hillcrest Drive, has been precisely engineered with one goal in mind: providing the ultimate environment for recording and mixing audio. From its comprehensive acoustic treatment to its full suite of top-tier audio equipment, every square inch of the space is designed to help producers capture the sounds they want while eliminating the ones they don鈥檛.

For starters, take the physical structure of the building itself. The studio, featuring a 175-square-foot control room and two isolation rooms measuring 81 and 83 square feet, sits on its own concrete slab, separate from the rest of the building to minimize vibrations. Inside its walls, a 4-inch air gap makes the space practically soundproof from outside noise.

鈥淚f there鈥檚 noise or rattling, you end up spending too much time editing it out,鈥� Guerrero said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e aiming to replicate the professional studio environments of Los Angeles and New York City to better prepare our students for work in those settings.鈥�

Take a look inside the studio and it quickly becomes clear just how much thought went into creating the optimal environment. Acoustic panels on the walls and ceiling absorb the high and mid frequencies, while bass traps in the corners absorb the low ones. Thirteen speakers are positioned around the control room, all directed toward the center of the room, where a control surface allows producers to mix dozens of channels with precision.听

The control room is calibrated for Dolby Atmos 7.1.4, one of the highest standards in music production, which means that it has seven ear-level speakers, one subwoofer, four overhead speakers, and an additional subwoofer for bass management. Together, they create a three-dimensional sphere of sound that envelops the space. The studio can produce 3D audio, sometimes known as 鈥渟patial audio,鈥� as well as binaural audio, delivering a more immersive listening experience than standard stereo.

鈥淣ot many studios near us have something like that,鈥� Guerrero said. And almost none of them are open to members of the public, who can rent the 91短视频 studio by the hour.

Astral Recording Studio is open to 91短视频 students, faculty, staff, and community members for recording and mixing music, videos, podcasts, or any other audio projects.听
Learn more about the studio at .

Guerrero said students in his Introduction to Music Technology and Video Game Music and Culture classes this semester will use the space as a hands-on lab to collaborate on projects. The studio has already hosted a few successful recording sessions for local musicians, and reactions to the space have been overwhelmingly positive.

When he鈥檚 not playing with his jazz group around town, Thaddeus Jackson 鈥�24 can be found operating his own home recording studio. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of amazing that a university this small has a studio like this,鈥� he said, while he shredded on a guitar at a recent open house. The vocal performance and guitar grad helped Guerrero assemble much of the equipment in the 91短视频 studio this summer, along with John Evans of Master Craft Construction and his apprentice, Kortney Bostic.听

The studio could also serve as a space for audio research projects, Guerrero said. That might include comparing different microphones or other technologies, or using the controlled environment to study how we perceive and process sound.

When he was hired on as faculty a little more than two years ago, Guerrero had two objectives: build a recording studio and eventually develop a music technology major at 91短视频. He said a number of music students over the years had expressed interest in recording their own music and exploring audio production, often mentioning the need for a studio. He credited an initial $95,000 donation from a generous couple, who have said they wish to remain anonymous, with kickstarting the project, as well as consistent support from 91短视频 administration and Music Program Director Dr. David Berry.

鈥淭he studio has been a dream in the making for many years now and it is wonderful to see it open its doors,鈥� Berry said.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 an amazing space with lots of capabilities,鈥� he added. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited about all the possibilities it represents by giving access to more students, staff, and members of the community the ability to make music in new ways and explore their passions.鈥�

Guerrero said music technology programs, like the one he envisions creating at 91短视频 someday, have been shown to boost enrollment by appealing to students from nontraditional music backgrounds. 鈥淭hese are the students making beats at home or producing tracks, but who aren鈥檛 necessarily in marching band, orchestra, or choir,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f we can bring them in and help them see a future not just at 91短视频, but in a music career, I think the potential is huge.鈥�

Now that the studio is finally open, Guerrero is excited to welcome people in. 鈥淟et鈥檚 collaborate,鈥� he said. 鈥淟et鈥檚 work on something together.鈥�

91短视频 the professor

Guerrero holds a PhD in music education from the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, N.Y.), a master鈥檚 in music technology from New York University, and a bachelor鈥檚 in drum set performance and contemporary writing and production from Berklee College of Music (Boston). While a college student, he worked at Apple stores in Boston and New York for three years, teaching workshops in GarageBand and Logic Pro. He previously taught at James Madison University and El Paso Community College in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.

He traces his interest in immersive audio back to the first time he watched Rush in Rio in 5.1 surround sound more than 20 years ago, and recalled attending an Audio Engineering Society conference at Dolby Labs in 2012, where he witnessed the first public performance of Dolby Atmos. 鈥淭he sense of immersion was incredible,鈥� he said.

91短视频 the space

Built in 1955, the terraced, one-room Astral Hall building next to the Vesper Heights Observatory hosted astronomy lectures and Astral Society meetings. Read more about the early days of the building here.

In the early 1970s, the building was renovated into a recording studio for WEMC, the 91短视频 student- and staff-run radio station that began broadcasting from Lehman Auditorium in 1954. Guerrero said the renovation set it up well for acoustic treatment, and some original features, including the windows and doors, remain in place today. 鈥淭here were a lot of things that were done right in the design of this space,鈥� he said.

Campus felt warmer than usual on Monday morning, and it wasn鈥檛 just because of the sunshine. The music was bumping, the bubble machine was set to max, and positive vibes were in full swing. Faculty and staff members lined the pathway in front of Lehman Auditorium, holding signs and cheering as students arrived for Opening Convocation.

The annual ceremony serves as the traditional kickoff to the school year. Judging by the excitement on Monday morning, this year is sure to be bursting with energy and enthusiasm.

Keep scrolling for snapshots of the music, engaging speakers, and words of wisdom from Opening Convocation 2025!

Students received a hero鈥檚 welcome as they made their way into Lehman Auditorium for the ceremony. There were plenty of hugs and high-fives to go around!

As faculty and staff processed into Lehman as per tradition, they were treated to rhythmic djembe drumming led by Makinto, an Eastern Mennonite Seminary student and globetrotting musician. The talented multi-instrumentalist and worship leader energized the audience, leading everyone in a lively call-and-response of 鈥渨alk in peace,鈥� 鈥渢ogether we can,鈥� 鈥渁nd unity,鈥� and 鈥淓-M-U.鈥�

Members of the 91短视频 Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Benjamin Bergey, lifted their voices together in a flawless rendition of the hymn, 鈥淭he Unclouded Day.鈥� Earlier this summer, the choir performed at venues across Europe and represented North America at the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism celebration in Z眉rich. 

Those attending Opening Convocation got a special treat as Dr. David Berry, director of the music program at 91短视频, debuted a new, rockin鈥� song written just for the occasion. Berry lit up the piano and delivered some fiery rap verses, while adjunct music instructors Jonah Barnett (guitar) jammed out on electric guitar and Tabatha Parrott (contemporary voice) wowed with her powerhouse vocals. 

Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs at 91短视频, provided words of welcome and introduced the university theme for the year ahead. 鈥淔or those of you who are first-year students, you鈥檙e stepping into a world of endless possibilities, new friendships, and academic challenges. But you don鈥檛 have to do it alone because we do this thing at 91短视频 together,鈥� she said. 鈥溾�� 鈥楾ogether鈥� is a word you鈥檙e going to hear, see, and, I hope, feel in your mind. We will learn together, we will serve together, we will compete together, and, this year, we will sustain together.鈥�

Seniors Maria Longenecker and Leah Frankenfield, who are serving as Student Government Association co-presidents this year, introduced themselves and encouraged students to express their concerns. 鈥淭ogether, we鈥檙e committed to making sure each student feels that their voice matters and is heard on campus,鈥� said Longenecker. 鈥淲e strive to support all students, including our multicultural, athletic, international, commuter, first-gen, and everyone in between.鈥�

Claire Hurst, a third-year environmental science and public health major who spent the summer as a climate advocacy intern through the 91短视频 Washington Semester, shared her experiences and spoke on the importance of environmental sustainability. At its core, she said, environmental sustainability is about using resources in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

鈥淔or me, a passion for the natural world has grown from countless summer nights camping under tall pine trees and Sunday afternoon hikes filled with laughter among friends and family. It feels natural to want to protect and give back to the places that have provided me such joy and fulfillment,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s we begin this fall semester, I encourage you all to think about how you connect and engage with our everyday spaces. 鈥� Anything that allows you to appreciate the environment will translate into wanting to protect it.鈥�

The Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus used the Opening Convocation, her first as 91短视频鈥檚 interim president, to talk about trees. She invited the members of the 91短视频 learning community to imagine themselves as trees and their lives together as a forest. She spoke about the interconnected root systems deep underground that anchor trees and absorb water and nutrients, the methods trees use to communicate stress and share resources, and the many ways they work in unison to sustain the forest as a whole鈥攏ot just themselves.

鈥淔orests don鈥檛 thrive because each tree is the tallest or the strongest; they flourish because they are connected.鈥� she said. 鈥�91短视频, we are a living forest, rooted in shared values and branching toward new possibilities. Every one of us鈥攕tudents, faculty, staff鈥攂rings something essential to this ecosystem.鈥�

Thank you to everyone who helped make Opening Convocation a spirited success, and we are excited to 鈥淪ustain Together鈥� this year!

Three choirs from diverse musical and cultural traditions will join together for a concert held at 91短视频 this week.

The event, Love, Joy & Peace: A Choral Celebration!, will be held at Lehman Auditorium on Friday, March 14, at 7 p.m. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10.

Dr. David Berry, director of the music program at 91短视频, described the event as a big celebration. 鈥淭he idea for this concert was truly born out of a sense of community,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not just bringing together different styles of music, but also we鈥檙e bringing together people from different communities.鈥�

The concert will feature performances by:

• the 91短视频 Chamber Singers, the university鈥檚 auditioned touring chamber choir, directed by Professor Benjamin Bergey, singing songs of hope and unity from its recent spring break tour;
• the 91短视频 Gospel Choir, a talented group of students directed by 91短视频 senior Kay Pettus, delivering uplifting gospel music; and 
• the Kush Anglican Choir, a choir from a Sudanese congregation in Harrisonburg, directed by 91短视频 senior Rita Toto, performing traditional Sudanese songs in Arabic. 

Berry first heard the latter choir perform at a fundraiser last July at A Bowl of Good in Harrisonburg. The supported Pax Dei for Nuba, a nonprofit raising awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. 鈥淭heir choir sounded incredible, and they perform a variety of music, including songs from their culture and in their native language,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淚 knew we had to invite them to perform on campus.鈥�

After each choir performs their own selection of songs, the three vocal ensembles will combine on stage to sing 鈥淟et鈥檚 Come Together,鈥� an original composition written by guest artist Makinto.

Makinto, a talented multi-instrumentalist and African Soul artist studying at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, will also perform solo selections throughout the evening and collaborate with Berry on a piano duet for the final musical number. 

Makinto previously performed as a guest artist at 91短视频鈥檚 2023 Music Gala Concert. He and his wife, Mukarabe, co-founded Amahoro International, a mission organization promoting peace and development in East Africa. Learn more about his journey to 91短视频 here!

The 91短视频 Department of Music partnered with the Center for Interfaith Engagement and Multicultural Student Services to present this concert. It is sponsored by the Music, Peace and Justice grant, in conjunction with the Music & Peacebuilding major.

That鈥檚 the quick rhyme behind last week鈥檚 annual Concerto/Aria Competition, which awarded top honors to three student-musicians for the first time in its six-year history. The winners of the competition, Miriam Rhodes, Rafael de Tablan (who also won in 2023), and Naomi Kratzer, have earned one of the most prestigious accolades on campus for musicians: the chance to perform as soloists alongside the 91短视频 Orchestra during its spring Concerto/Aria Orchestra Concert.

Benjamin Bergey, assistant professor of music at 91短视频 and conductor of 91短视频鈥檚 Orchestra, Chamber Singers, and University Choir, credited the historic moment to the strong performances of the seven student-musicians who competed.

鈥淚t was a challenge to choose only two winners,鈥� he said. 鈥淎fter extra deliberation, we decided that the orchestra could accommodate three winners this year, but that鈥檚 something we don鈥檛 intend to do again in the future.鈥�

The three winning musicians took a moment to answer a few questions from 91短视频 News in between practicing for April鈥檚 big show. 

Miriam Rhodes

Year: Junior
From: Rockingham County, Virginia
Major: Music and peacebuilding; elementary education
Instrument: Violin

Which piece of music did you choose?
I played the first movement of Max Bruch鈥檚 鈥淐oncerto No. 1 in G Minor.鈥� My violin teacher Maria Lorcas introduced me to the piece near the end of my freshman year at 91短视频, and I鈥檝e been working on it, on and off, ever since. I鈥檝e spent a lot of time with this piece over the past couple years, analyzing its theory and history, and performing it several times, but I still haven鈥檛 gotten tired of it. 

What was running through your mind when you found out you had won?
I was surprised that the judges had picked three winners and immediately got excited. A lot of my passion for making music comes from the joy and relationship-building that happens when you collaborate with other musicians, so I鈥檓 super excited to perform this piece with the orchestra and bring it to life together.

How will you be preparing for April鈥檚 concert?
I鈥檝e always had some performance anxiety. After my last performance, I felt like I had already achieved a personal victory by pushing myself out of my comfort zone and improving my performance mindset鈥攕omething my teacher, Maria Lorcas, and the music professors at 91短视频 have helped me learn to do. I plan to continue preparing mentally through positive self-talk and visualization.

Rafael de Tablan

Year: Junior
From: The Philippines
Major: Music performance
Instrument: Piano

Which piece of music did you choose?
I played the second movement of Maurice Ravel’s 鈥淧iano Concerto in G Major.鈥� I chose this piece because it鈥檚 something out of the ordinary. Fast and grand movements are usually selected for competitions, rather than slow ones. But, I chose this slow movement as a sincere dedication to my mom and dad, who nicknamed me 鈥淩avel.鈥�

What was running through your mind when you found out you had won?
I was confident the judges wouldn鈥檛 choose a slow piece to win, but boy, was I wrong. When the three winners were announced, I was shocked by the history-making moment. I hugged and congratulated the other two winners. Realizing that my dedicatory piece will be performed with the orchestra, I started welling up with tears thinking about how I could give even more love to my parents.

How will you be preparing for April鈥檚 concert?
Definitely practice, practice, practice. I need to polish it even more and review the judges’ feedback. One thing I love to do while practicing is to follow along with someone else’s recording of the same piece. (His piano teacher is Dr. David Berry, director of the music program at 91短视频)

Naomi Kratzer

Year: Junior
From: Goshen, Indiana
Major: Music performance and history
Instrument: Piano (she also plays viola and sings)

Which piece of music did you choose?
I played the first movement of Edvard Grieg’s 鈥淧iano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16.鈥� My professor, Dr. David Berry, chose the piece for me, but I鈥檝e loved preparing it over the past seven months. This is the only piano concerto Grieg ever wrote, which makes it even more special to perform. It鈥檚 also a piece that plays to my strengths as a pianist, so it鈥檚 been fun to hone those skills. 

What was running through your mind when you found out you had won?
I was glad they finally came to a decision. The process was the longest in 91短视频 history: one whole hour. It was awesome to win with my friend Miriam and my co-conspirator-in-piano, Rafael. 

How will you be preparing for April鈥檚 concert?
I鈥檒l keep chipping away at the shakier parts of the movement and make sure I have the entire piece under my fingers, but I also need to start preparing my junior recital repertoire. It鈥檚 going to be a full semester, for sure. 

Bergey said Rhodes played with 鈥渃onfidence and finesse鈥� in a thrilling performance of Bruch鈥檚 violin concerto. 鈥淪he is our concertmaster in the orchestra, so it will be wonderful to feature her in this concert,鈥� he said.

He described de Tablan as captivating the room with his 鈥渆xquisitely musical playing鈥� of the slow movement of Ravel鈥檚 piano concerto: 鈥淭his deceptively difficult movement exuded his musicality, and you could hear a pin drop at the end.鈥�

Bergey recognized Kratzer for tackling one of the most iconic concertos of the night. 鈥淪he expressed such command of the instrument through her technical playing,鈥� he said. 

Mezzo-soprano Cassidy Williams received runner-up honors. Other musicians competing at the event were Elie Hoover, Riley Quezada, and Jacob Loya. Lise Keiter and Eric Guinivan served as guest judges for the competition. Harold Bailey and David Berry were piano accompanists. 

Watch a video recording of the competition on the 91短视频 Department of Music Facebook page.

Read coverage of the event in the Daily News-Record .

For write-ups of previous years鈥� competitions, click on the links below:

• 2024
• 2023
• 2019

The musicians鈥� answers have been edited for grammar and conciseness.

The Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) award will support general operations of the 34th annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, which will be held in June 2026.

Les Helmuth, interim manager of the SVBF, said this marks the first time the festival has received an NEA grant. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to be recognized by the NEA for the quality of the artists and other key individuals involved in creating great music for the Shenandoah Valley,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 truly an honor to be the recipient of an NEA grant.鈥�

Bach Festival Artistic Director and 91短视频 Music Program Director David Berry noted that receiving support from the NEA has long been a prestigious mark of distinction for any arts organization. “We’re grateful the NEA has chosen to support the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival as we celebrate our 34th year next June,” he said. “This honor speaks to how special the festival truly is and its great legacy of beautiful music-making.”

Amanda Gookin, previous executive director of the SVBF, wrote and applied for the GAP grant. It is one of more than 1,100 GAP awards nationwide, totaling more than $31.8 million, announced by the NEA on Tuesday.

鈥淭he NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country鈥檚 vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,鈥� said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. 鈥淚t is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including 91短视频鈥檚 Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival.鈥�

91短视频 the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival

The annual weeklong summer festival presents vibrant performances on the 91短视频 campus and in Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia, by Bach Festival Musicians and guest artists, the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra, Baroque Academy Faculty, and Festival Choir. Learn more at:

91短视频 the National Endowment for the Arts

Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. Its Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) provides expansive funding opportunities to strengthen the nation鈥檚 arts and cultural ecosystem, including opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.

The minor provides an accessible way for students interested in music, but who might lack the formal training other music minors require, to follow their passion, said David Berry, director of the music program at 91短视频.

鈥淲e want everyone who loves music to feel like they have a home in our department,鈥� Berry said.

There can be barriers to studying music in college. Requirements that they be able to read music or have a certain amount of training prevents many students from being involved in the music program, Berry said.

“The minor will focus on the kinds of popular music that a lot of people love and enjoy,鈥� he said. Students can take classes in digital songwriting, taught by Professor Benjamin Guerrero, and lessons in songwriting, led by Trent Wagler 鈥�02, 91短视频 faculty member and singer-songwriter of roots music band The Steel Wheels.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really open,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淵ou could be making GarageBand files (a music-writing software program) in your dorm room. You could be a history major who wants to be a DJ on the side. If you love music, this minor is for you.鈥�

For more information about 91短视频鈥檚 music program, visit .

Works center around the festival theme of 鈥淯nity鈥� and range from J.S. Bach鈥檚 Wedding Cantata to Richard Strauss鈥櫶�Four Last Songs听to听Valerie Coleman鈥檚听Umoja: Anthem of Unity听and Ernst von Dohn谩nyi鈥檚听Sextet in C Major, Op. 37,听said Bach Festival Artistic Director and 91短视频 Music Program Director David Berry, a prominent pianist who will perform in the latter work in Festival Concert I.

鈥淭his year鈥檚 festival includes works that explore themes we can all relate to in our humanity, composers that are underrepresented and we don鈥檛 get a chance to hear, and pieces that bring together various different elements to create something entirely new like Anton铆n听顿惫辞艡谩办鈥檚 Symphony No. 9 鈥楩rom the New World,鈥欌�� shared Berry. 鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to welcome audiences to experience this year鈥檚 festival featuring an absolutely stellar lineup of musicians from around the world, including artists from 91短视频, JMU, Shenandoah Conservatory, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, as well as rising star performers from the Shenandoah Valley.鈥�

Featured artists include guest conductor Deanna Tham, associate conductor of the Oregon Symphony and music director of the Union Symphony Orchestra, who will conduct Festival Concerts II and III; Benjamin Bergey, assistant professor of music at 91短视频 and conductor of 91短视频鈥檚 Orchestra, Chamber Singers, and University Choir; Berlin-based soprano Sara Duchovnay, a 鈥渄ynamic and expressive鈥� vocalist who sings with 鈥渨armth and luster鈥� (OperaWire); Penelope Shumate, who sings soprano solos with 鈥渁ppealing bell-like clarity and surpassing sweetness鈥� (The New York Times); and Mexican American violinist Alejandra Switala, a top prize winner at the 2023 Sphinx Competition in Detroit, Michigan.

Other highlights include Open Mic Night at Pale Fire, which offers listeners the opportunity to hear鈥攁nd mingle with鈥攆estival performers in a casual setting, and a free talk titled 鈥淗arry T. Burleigh, Anton铆n Dvo艡谩k, and the Symphony from the New World鈥� by music historian, author and 91短视频 alumna Jean Snyder 鈥�63 on Thursday, June 13 at 4 p.m. at Massanutten Regional Library.

At the intersection of harmony, humanity and nature, the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival gathers internationally-recognized artists and inquisitive audiences to celebrate the life and joy of great music. We like to say 鈥淏ach is just the beginning鈥� to share our deep appreciation of the breadth of work influenced by the musical inventions of Bach. The festival began under the artistic direction of Ken J. Nafziger, professor emeritus of 91短视频 Music, in 1993.

For tickets to the Bach Festival, visit . Tickets to Festival Concerts I, II and III at 91短视频鈥檚 Lehman Auditorium and to the Baroque Faculty Concert at Asbury United Methodist Church are pay what you can from $10-40 and free to college students; tickets to Festival Concerts I, II and III include pre-concert talks. Noon concerts at Asbury United Methodist Church and other on- and off-campus concerts are free for all.

91短视频鈥檚 piano virtuoso David Berry is gathering his friends for a celebration of music and community. And, he鈥檚 bringing along a special guest: a Grammy Award-winning violinist who鈥檚 performed in sold-out stadiums with Beyonc茅 and Jay-Z.

The David Berry and Friends concert, back by popular demand for a third straight year, returns to Martin Chapel on Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. The concert is free to attend and open to the public. A suggested $10 donation can be made online . 

Berry, music program director at 91短视频 as well as the night鈥檚 featured pianist, said the purpose of the concert is to bring members of the community together for a diverse repertoire of classical, jazz, soul, spirituals and gospel music. 

鈥淎ll of these styles have been a part of my life,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd I鈥檒l be performing with people I鈥檝e gotten to know from different corners of our community.鈥�

Who鈥檚 on stage

The talented artists joining Berry on stage include: Grammy-nominated cellist Amanda Gookin, saxophonist Josh Dove, drummer and 91短视频 music alum Joseph Harder, bassist Joseph Nichols, multi-genre singers Michael Richardson and Devonte Garcia, actress Andre谩 Bellamore, and special guest artist, violinist Lady Jess.

During the concert, Berry will share stories of how he knows the musicians performing with him. For example, Dove is the owner of , a Harrisonburg, Virginia, store that helped Berry move a piano into his home.

Berry and have performed together in New York City with the Harlem Chamber Players. The violinist is a soloing member of Beyonc茅鈥檚 band and joined the Single Ladies singer and Jay-Z during their On The Run II tour in 2018. She also performed with Beyonc茅 at the Coachella festival (2018) and appeared in the Netflix concert film Homecoming (2019). Lady Jess has played with The Roots on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and collaborated with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and Hans Zimmer 鈥� arranging and recording with the latter for the live-action The Lion King soundtrack.

Gookin is the executive director of the and works with Berry, its artistic director, to plan the annual weeklong event. Her cello music has been described as 鈥渢he highest level of artistry鈥� () and she鈥檚 been praised for her 鈥渆xpert technical work鈥� (The Strad).

Both of the night鈥檚 vocalists are students at James Madison University. Berry described Richardson’s voice as big, booming and baritone, and Garcia’s as 鈥渁mazing and soulful.鈥�

What to expect

The concert will feature works ranging from Antonin 顿惫辞艡谩办鈥檚 Piano Trio No. 3 in F-minor, Op. 65, to soulful classics by Alicia Keys and Walter Hawkins.

Dvo艡谩k was a Czech composer from the 19th century best known for his “New World Symphony.” Berry described the piece he’ll be playing with Gookin and Lady Jess as “a full journey.鈥� 鈥淚t鈥檚 a classical masterwork of chamber music,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 influenced by a love of Bohemian folk music.鈥�

Berry said Lady Jess will meet with 91短视频 music students the day before the concert and talk to them about pursuing a career in music. In a recent about the concert, Lady Jess said she was 鈥渧ery excited to meet these students and to collaborate with some incredible artists.鈥�

This event will be livestreamed on the Facebook page.

Where: Lehman Auditorium
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Cost: Free, with suggested donation of $10 to $20
Online:

91短视频鈥檚 2023 Music Gala Concert, says David Berry, is a labor of love for so many people.

The upcoming concert will showcase three talented guest artists and every music ensemble on campus collaborating in a special evening of dance, poetry, jazz and world music. Two compositions written for the event will premiere. And the university choir and chamber orchestra will pair up to perform Beethoven鈥檚 “Ode to Joy,” featuring soloists Olivia Rominiyi, Sarah Hamilton, Jordan Davidson, and Shannon Kiser.

鈥淲e鈥檙e celebrating the connectedness of community and humanity across the globe and what we can do when we come together,鈥� said Berry, music program director at 91短视频. 

The concert, fittingly titled Together, begins at 7 p.m. on Friday in Lehman Auditorium. It is free to attend, with to help support 91短视频 Music.

The World Has Changed

Embodying the theme of collaboration, an actress, dancer, orchestra and choir will join together to perform The World Has Changed. The interdisciplinary piece, based on the poetry of Alice Walker, will see its world premiere at the gala. 

composed the score for The World Has Changed. Wadsworth, an assistant professor of music at Williams College, also wrote music for this year鈥檚 Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. His compositions have been performed at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II.

The World Has Changed will feature a narration of Walker鈥檚 poetry from actress of the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton. “We needed a voice that would communicate the text well with the orchestra, with the choir and with the dance, so we knew we needed someone special for that,” Berry said. He credited 91短视频 Provost Tynisha Willingham, a board member of the theater company, with connecting Bellamore with the production.

Paula Facci, an assistant professor at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, will perform a dance that her class, Creative Approaches to Peacebuilding, helped to choreograph.

Berry described the music of The World Has Changed as 鈥渆thereal, powerful and soulful鈥� and said the composition serves as 鈥渁 celebration of what could be.鈥�

Amahoro Suite

The other original piece premiering at the concert will be the world jazz fusion composition Amahoro Suite by , a man of many talents and cultures.

The Liberian-German composer, musician, singer, storyteller and pastor plays jazz flute, piano and percussion. He鈥檚 performed in Vatican City for Pope John Paul II and at Madison Square Garden. He is the director of , a Christian ministry affiliated with Mosaic Mennonite Conference.

鈥淗e鈥檚 really just an amazing artist and person,鈥� Berry said. 

Makinto and his wife, Mukarabe, will recite poetry as part of Amahoro Suite. Amahoro is the Kirundi 鈥� the official language of Burundi 鈥� expression for 鈥減eace.鈥� Amahoro Suite will include musical performances from Makinto and the 91短视频 Jazz Band. 

鈥淚t鈥檒l involve all kinds of things from Duke Ellington to djembe ensemble to African jazz flute,鈥� Berry said.

‘Ode to Joy’

Those attending the concert will be treated to a choir and orchestra recital of “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven鈥檚 Symphony No. 9. The ode, with its lyrics by poet Friedrich Schiller, has been sung at important movements throughout history to inspire and instill courage and hope, Berry said. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a symbol, since it鈥檚 creation, of our shared humanity, our connectedness as a human race,鈥� he said. 

In the days leading up to the concert, about 1,500 students from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County will watch Makinto perform music and share stories as part of a unique collaboration with . 91短视频 Music is a premier artist partner with The Kennedy Center-sponsored arts education nonprofit. 

Other collaborative partners for this event include the American Shakespeare Center, the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, 91短视频’s Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival and sponsor Everence Federal Credit Union.

For those who cannot attend in person, a livestream will be available to watch online through the .

So, when members of the 91短视频 Chamber Singers and orchestra strings got the chance to perform with noted artist Hezekiah Walker on Sunday, the experience is one they will likely never forget.

The Grammy Award-winning singer, whose in Richmond hosted the event, led both 91短视频 and VUU choirs as vocalist for the song 鈥淚 Need You to Survive.鈥�

Walker said on Thursday he was still fielding phone calls from people who were disappointed to miss the show. 

鈥淚t was a major success,鈥� he said. 鈥淧eople are still talking about it.鈥�

For Jacob Nissley, a Chamber Singers tenor studying music education, watching Walker sing brought back memories. He was reminded of his time in Canton, Ohio, singing gospel hymns at the Baptist church down the street from his home church.

鈥淭hat guy can sing,鈥� Nissley said about Walker. 鈥淗e can belt out all the notes.鈥�

Soprano Reah Clymer, of Collinsville, Mississippi, also remarked on the experience.

鈥淗e was incredible,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was great to work with him.鈥�

Their song together served as the finale for a concert lasting more than three hours that featured prominent gospel artists Crystal Aikin, Jermaine Dolly and Group Fire. A live recording of the show will be submitted for consideration in the Grammy Awards鈥� special event category. 

Not only was this the first time VUU has recorded a live performance, but also the first time Walker has performed with the choir for its homecoming gospel concert. He said he intends to shine a light on the two talented choirs. 

鈥淚 felt like the world needs to hear what comes out of Virginia,鈥� he said. 

Walker added that as he watched the Chamber Singers during the concert, it was clear that they were well-prepared.

鈥淚 was amazed by the looks on their faces,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey knew the words, they knew the lyrics.鈥�

Using music to connect

As a student majoring in music and peacebuilding, Clymer said she鈥檚 learned to use music as a form of connection across differences and cultures.

While 91短视频 and VUU are both faith-based liberal arts institutions with strong music programs, the two schools have contrasting racial demographics and musical heritages. 

91短视频 has a mostly white student body and VUU is a historically Black university. Traditionally, Mennonites sing in four-part harmony and don鈥檛 dance or move around as much when they perform, Clymer said.

But, as the choirs sang 鈥淚 Need You to Survive,鈥� rows of them linked arms and swayed back and forth. 

鈥淚t was a cool breaking of that barrier to wrap our arms around each other and move a bit during that song,鈥� Clymer said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a song about coming together, so it was a good tangible manifestation of that.鈥�

That scene also left a powerful impression on Nissley.

鈥淚t was just a really good experience on stage, just being able to look at each other and sing the words to each other,鈥� he said. 

Walker said the 91短视频 singers and musicians were invited to build unity. He emphasized the importance of collaboration across different cultures and races.

鈥淭here are groups that are fighting, there are backgrounds that are fighting, but then there鈥檚 another group of people,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e come from different backgrounds but we鈥檙e not fighting, we鈥檙e loving on each other.鈥�

Clymer said one of her favorite memories from the trip was seeing Chamber Singers Director Benjamin Bergey and VUU Gospel Choir Director Joel Lester hug at the end of their performance together.

鈥淛ust to see them embracing each other like brothers, that image is imprinted in my mind,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat was a really sweet moment.鈥�

A partnership in peace

Plans for the event came together last year when a board member of VUU and the Commonwealth Alliance of Rural Colleges 鈥� of which 91短视频 is a member 鈥� approached the 91短视频 and VUU presidents and proposed the idea of a joint music concert.  

Bergey said the 18-student choir received its invitation about a month prior and worked quickly to prepare for the show. He wrote the orchestra part for their nine strings musicians. And the 91短视频 and VUU ensembles rehearsed their song together just before the start of the concert on Sunday. 

Those in attendance included President Susan Schultz Huxman; Executive Advisor Amy Springer Hartsell; Dan Ott, dean of the School of Theology, Humanities and Performing Arts; Shannon Dycus, vice president of student affairs and dean of students; Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed; and Music Program Director David Berry.

Huxman has said details are being worked out for 91短视频 to host the VUU Gospel Choir in Harrisonburg next year for a concert.

Clymer welcomed the continued partnership between the schools.

鈥淚t would be really cool to see some of the same people again and to bring something like that to Harrisonburg,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t would be a real gift to the community here.鈥�

But, rather than an exhilarating thrill, the car just moseys forward, and the riders are greeted by a flurry of actors expressing some of the frustrations with growing older: Is that a bald spot? I just got the oil changed; why is the engine light still on? Too much spice triggers my GERD. What do you mean my phone is obsolete? I just got this thing six years ago. The car erupts in screams, only to be drowned out by the 91短视频 Chamber Singers, who launch into 鈥淥 Fortuna鈥� with its chorus replaced by “YOLO” (You Only Live Once).

The scene, acted by local performers of all ages and titled 鈥淥ver The Hill,鈥� was one of the highlights of the Music Celebration Concert: An Evening with Madeline Bender that helped kick off Homecoming and Family Weekend 2023 on Friday night.

Madeline Bender 鈥�93, an accomplished soprano who鈥檚 performed all across the world, provided the crowd that packed Lehman Auditorium with a smorgasbord of musical entertainment. She seamlessly switched from belting out 鈥淪hy鈥� from the musical Once Upon a Mattress to singing opera in French, Russian and Italian before launching into some of her favorites from George and Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter.

Bender showcased her vocal range while Professor David Berry was flawless at the piano, and the Jazz Ensemble shined. The musical sketch comedy that bookended Bender鈥檚 singing proved to be the hit of the night, with the Lehman pews erupting in laughter. Those who missed it can catch a recording of the concert on the .  

Ryan Kauffman 鈥�99 and his wife, Valerie 鈥�99, traveled from Ontario, Canada, to watch their son, Evan, play the saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble. They said they鈥檝e been making the big trek each Homecoming in recent years. 鈥淲e just always like hearing about all the new things that are happening at 91短视频,鈥� Ryan Kauffman said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always new programs, the new people; it鈥檚 exciting to see a lot of the new diversity initiatives.鈥�

For Harrisonburg residents Ellen Bowman 鈥�74 and her husband, Greg, the trip wasn鈥檛 nearly as far. Ellen Bowman said it was impressive to see students and staff at the concert use their talents, and that her favorite part about Homecoming was seeing life on campus and old friends.

The recording is part of the historically black university鈥檚 Homecoming Gospel Concert, held at 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 15, at United Nations Church, 214 Cowardin Ave., Richmond.

It will feature a special guest appearance from Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Bishop Hezekiah Walker, as well as performances from other prominent gospel musicians.

Walker, known for songs such as “Every Praise,” “God Favored Me” and “I Need You to Survive,” established the Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music at Virginia Union University in 2021. Its programs include Gospel Heritage; Song Writing, Publishing and Licensing; and Business of Gospel Music.

鈥淗ezekiah Walker is as prominent an artist in gospel music as anyone you could imagine in any other field, like Michael Jordan in basketball or Taylor Swift in pop music,鈥� said 91短视频 Music Program Director David Berry.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a pretty big concert,鈥� said Chamber Singers Director Benjamin Bergey. 鈥淎 lot of really great musicians and a lot of great music.”

“And then, at the end is this culmination-collaboration in sort of a ‘We Are the World’ feel,鈥� added Bergey, referencing the 1985 multi-platinum hit featuring Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder, among others.

Michele Clay, director of the Hezekiah Walker Center, remarked on the significance of the event.

“This is the first time that the VUU Gospel Choir is doing a live recording,” she said. “This is VUU history!”

President Susan Schultz Huxman said details are being worked out for 91短视频 to host the VUU Gospel Choir in Harrisonburg next year for a concert.

“It will be exciting,” she said. “We’d love to make this a regular faith-inspired, peace and justice musical partnership!”

Plans came together last year when a board member of VUU and the Commonwealth Alliance of Rural Colleges 鈥� of which 91短视频 is a member 鈥� approached Huxman and VUU President and CEO Dr. Hakim J. Lucas and proposed the idea of a joint music concert.

Huxman said the schools share many similarities. Both schools are faith-inspired private universities with excellent music programs, both have seminaries central to their identities and both value peace, justice and diversity.

“Like VUU, 91短视频 is all about opening doors, removing barriers and creating cultures where students can feel they belong and they can become their authentic selves and find their calling,” Huxman said.

But the partnership also recognizes their differences, she added.

“We celebrate what the coming together of these two schools can yield: VUU is an HBCU; 91短视频 is a PWI [predominantly white institution]. VUU is in an urban part of the state; 91短视频 is located in a rural part of the state. VUU brings the musical heritage of a gospel choir; 91短视频 brings a musical heritage of hymns sung in four-part harmony.”

“I Need You to Survive,” which will be the one song featuring the 91短视频 Chamber Singers and orchestra strings, is just one of many recorded on Sunday. Huxman said event organizers wish to submit a recording of the entire concert for a Grammy Award.

Chamber Singers is an auditioned touring chamber choir founded in 1979. The mixed-voice choir is made up of more than 15 91短视频 students of different majors and ages. The ensemble tours in the U.S. each spring break and abroad every other May.

Virginia Union University is a premier liberal arts institution and publicly serving HBCU with recognition as a private institution through the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Founded in 1865, Virginia Union University was originally established to give newly emancipated slaves an opportunity for education and advancement. Today, the university is a center for excellence focusing on preparing and developing today鈥檚 students to become advanced leaders of tomorrow.

He will be succeeded in his role as artistic director by 91短视频 professor and music program director David Berry. Berry is an accomplished pianist who has performed in the festival since 2017 and brings artistic leadership experience from 91短视频 as well as other organizations. A part of Berry’s role as artistic director will be to lead the search for the conductor of the festival for the 2023 summer festival.

“The Bach Festival is grateful to Ken for his many years of vision and inspiration,鈥� said Amanda Gookin, executive director. 鈥淗e is one of the most special leaders I know and it has been a deeply meaningful experience working together. I look forward to celebrating Ken to the fullest in our 30th season. I am absolutely thrilled the artistic leadership will pass on to David Berry whose artistic excellence and innovative voice will carry forth the legacy of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival.”听

Nafziger expressed support for Berry in his new role and the festival鈥檚 strong future. 鈥淲ith David in place as the new artistic director, the festival is in a good place for its development. He is a well-known musical presence here in the Shenandoah Valley, and an active supporter of and performer in the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. David has all the right qualifications, imagination, enthusiasm, a field of wide musical acquaintances who can grace this festival, all the right stuff for a position like this. I stand ready to be of support and assistance as he finds his way and leads this festival with competence in the years ahead.鈥�

Nafziger will contribute his final time as the artistic director and conductor for the 30th anniversary celebration June 12-19, 2022, on the campus of 91短视频 and in area venues in Harrisonburg. 

Audience members can expect 鈥渨orld-class performances,鈥� Gookin said, with works by Johannes Brahms, Florence Price, contemporary composer Leo Brouwer, and the great B Minor Mass by Johann Sebastian Bach among others.听

The celebration will be poignant for Nafziger, who has long said the furious pace of the summer festival was one of his favorite times of every year.

“The Bach Festival at 30 is a myriad of wonderful memories: the community that came to be around the festival, working intensely with local musicians and many from farther away, so many great musical moments, soloists from near and far, appreciative audiences, and the fatigue of doing nothing but what one would most like to do for ten days every June,鈥� he said. 鈥淭o everyone who listened, who played, who sang, who supported, who encouraged, you are owed many and heartfelt thanks.鈥�

Berry, who has participated in the festival since joining the faculty of 91短视频, praised Nafziger and festival leadership. 

“It is my absolute honor to join the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival as its next artistic director,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淜en and the leadership of the festival have done a wonderful job of creating a truly unique and beautiful festival. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary and legacy of the festival this year, I am excited to begin the work of looking toward the future and exploring the possibilities of what the next chapter may hold.”

Learn m

Berry maintains a rigorous schedule of teaching, performing, adjudication and artistic direction, including as the coordinator of chamber music and member of the artistic planning committee for the Gateways Music Festival. The festival is hosted by Berry鈥檚 undergraduate alma mater Eastman School of Music and celebrates the contributions of musicians of African descent to classical music, and features over 120 players from major American orchestras and university faculties. Berry earned his master鈥檚 and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Juilliard School. 

Nafziger, a professor emeritus of music at 91短视频, plans to continue other musical involvements, including as music director of the chamber choir Winchester Musica Viva in Winchester, Virginia. He has a long history of working with many of Cuba鈥檚 premier orchestra and choral ensembles, including guest conducting appearances, teaching master classes, and participating with musical colleagues in a number of joint projects. Nafziger鈥檚 work in church music is widely known across many denominations. He has edited or assisted in editing three hymnals, producing correlated teaching materials and recordings for those hymnals, and co-wrote a book on the significance of singing among Mennonites. He is a frequent guest conductor, workshop leader, and clinician across the United States and Canada.

Nafziger was honored in 2015 with the Circle of Excellence in the Arts Award for sustained contributions in the arts and his creative and superior accomplishments that have improved the cultural vitality of the Shenandoah Valley. The award is given by the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, the Arts Council of the Valley, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts at James Madison University.

MORE ON KEN NAFZIGER 

Read a profile of Ken Nafziger on his retirement from 91短视频.

Read more about this 2015 awards presentation.

Berry, past president of the HMTA, worked with a similar program in New Jersey. He has encouraged area music instructors who plan to teach in the program to learn more through trainings and resources “so they understand the kinds of students they鈥檒l be working with.鈥�

鈥淪omeone鈥檚 life, confidence and soul can be enhanced by music study and everyone should have the opportunity to study it, whether they want to play professionally or just as a hobby,鈥� he says in the article.

A new series of multifaceted music colloquia continues at 91短视频 Thursday, April 15, with听 PhD, an Indian Carnatic classical musician and neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School’s Massachusetts General Hospital. She’ll speak on her career and some of the musical traditions of India.

Navaratna “is a true cultural entrepreneur who combines expertise in music and medicine,” said Professor David Berry, director of the music department. 

The presentation will be livestreamed at 12:20 p.m. on 听听and the .听You do not need a Facebook account to access these livestreams. Find recordings of past colloquia there as well.

Past guests include , a Grammy-nominated cellist, arts activist, and the newly-appointed executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival; , a flutist with the Houston Symphony, the Greenbriar Consortium, the Ritz Chamber Players, and the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra; and , a performance psychologist, Juilliard professor, and violinist.

“Since everything is virtual, it is a wonderful opportunity to bring many more great artists from around the nation and even around the globe to our students,” said Berry. “It is not every year that we can bring such a diverse array of top-rate artists and presenters to our students in one semester.”

The colloquia includes a mix of students performing for and learning from the guest artists, interviews, and lectures. 

“We have found these combined modes of presentation to be very engaging for everyone no matter the spectators’ area of musical specialty,” Berry said.