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"Lord,
we bring our gift of music, touch our lips and
fire our hearts,
Teach our minds and train our senses, fit us
for this sacred art.
Then with skill and consecration we would serve
you, Lord, and give
all our powers to glorify you, and in serving
fully live." |
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The hymn verse above, scripted large
for everyone to see, is displayed on the wall of the choir
room. For it is more than just a side note or nice quote,
it literally sums up the purpose of Central's music program.
Music is a gift received, a skill learned, refined, and
a gift given back in service and praise.
Tim Shue
For one student, music means a unique community of friends;
another revels in the beauty of it. One is challenged
to develop a unique musical talent while another discovers
a totally new academic playground of wonder. In
an age of overwhelming musical options and technology,
Tim Shue, Central music teacher of 15 years, believes
that creating good music with others, though not always
the quickest route, can be one of the most deeply rewarding
experiences a person can have.
"As humans, we are gifted with
both the creativity to compose and the means to sing and
play," comments Shue.
"I'm glad I teach at a Christian school where that
spiritual connection is recognized and students can experience
these things at a very deep level." He
continues, "We can't imagine church without
music, so like prayer, it is a discipline that can be
practiced."
Building on a strong a capella singing tradition in area
Mennonite churches, music at Central has gone far beyond
what its founders may have dreamed. From Brahms
to bluegrass, Chopin to chapel,
jazz to jigs, music
can mean both an exhilarating public performance or a
private prayer at Central Christian. Housing a facility
designed for musical needs, music rooms at Central can
accommodate both large choirs and orchestras as well as
one on one private instruction in a studio practice room. |
Music
as Academics
Music as both an academic pursuit
and spiritual discipline, something appreciated by the
ancient Greeks and again pursued by the theologians of
the Reformation era, is being hailed again by recent studies
as a brain stimulator, facilitating growth in cells and
enhancing comprehension of abstract thought. Music at
Central is treated as a class more in tune with typical
academic classes. Instrumental and vocal music classes
are mandatory from kindergarten through middle school,
while vocal continues through the first semester of freshman
year. Music ensembles are then voluntary through senior
year. The second semester of choir during students' junior
and senior years becomes more skill-based and is by audition.
Instrumental music for the most part is open enrollment. |
Vocal music at Central
In many ways, singing
is part of Central's identity, whether it be a simple
chorus in chapel or striving for straight superior ratings
at state contest, it is an act of discipline and joy.
Currently under the direction of Tim Shue, Central's choirs
have enjoyed many enriching opportunities. Shue's love
of music is contagious and his interest in music-making
has found him in virtually every type of performance venue
possible: The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, folk festivals,
fiddling for square dances, Royals Stadium in Kansas City,
and more. His ability to create enthusiasm for group music
making has been recognized by the larger Mennonite church
as he has been the music leader of three different nationwide
Mennonite conventions. Though he still dreams of being
in the perfect "newcoustic" type of band, his
greatest joy is seeing students discover for themselves
the satisfaction of making music together and creating
a lifetime of great memories. |
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"I became a music teacher
because of the connections it gave me to life," Shue
said. "Music and the church have been the main thread
woven throughout my life." Tim
teaches Concert Choir, Varsity Singers, Freshman/Sophomore
Chorale, music theory, music leadership and middle school
boys. He is a graduate of Hesston and Bethel Colleges,
both in Kansas. |
Instrumental music at Central
"Instrumental
music is creative energy captured in sound, it can
heighten
feelings by conveying what words alone cannot express"
- Bonnie Weaver
The new school year has brought about many exciting
changes in the instrumental music program at Central!
We welcome our new strings teacher Lara Dudack, who
will be working in collaboration with Bonnie Weaver.
Bonnie has been part of the Central family for over five
years and heads up the High School Jazz Ensemble and
Beginning Winds. Her new responsibilities include Full
High School Orchestra, High School Winds, and Intermediate
Winds. Bonnie will also serve as coordinator for Central's
private lesson program of approximately one hundred students
and ten studio teachers. Bonnie is a graduate of The
Ohio State University's School of Music with special
emphasis in winds.
Lara Dudack is a graduate of Eastman School of Music
and is a member of the Akron Symphony and the Cleveland
Pops. Lara will instruct Heartland Strings, Full Intermediate
Orchestra, Strings 5-12 and she will co-teach 7th/8th
grade girls choir with Tim Shue. Lara is excited to have
the opportunity to work with different age/ability levels
and is looking forward to introducing the students to
different styles of music.
Vocal/General Music
Teaching general music PreK-6th
grade is Maria Miller. Maria is a 2002 Alumna of
Central Christian and is a graduate of Bluffton University.
She is excited to enter back in the program at Central
as an educator, working side by side with some phenomenal
music educators. Her motto for the year comes from
Psalm 89:1 exclaiming "I will sing of the loving
kindness of the Lord forever; to all generations
I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth."
She hopes to use music as a tool to inspire all generations,
young and old, and challenge her students to find
God's personality sprinkled throughout the many forms
of music they will be studying.
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Unique
opportunities
MSC Choir Festival: The annual Mennonite
School Council's choir festival. This is a rotating festival
serving all the Mennonite High Schools in North America.
It is a long-standing and well-loved tradition that joins
approximately 600 students in one voice.
MSC Orchestra Festival: A similar festival
for orchestras, this combines the schools of Central Christian,
Bethany Christian of Goshen, Indiana, and Iowa Mennonite
from Kalona, Iowa.
Private Lesson Program: Area professional musicians
come to Central during the school day to give one-on-one
private lessons. This is a huge help for parents because
it all happens during the day and no extra transportation
needs to be arranged. Students receive credit for the
lessons.
Varsity Singers: This select ensemble of 16 juniors
and seniors performs in many and varied venues, area church
services and holiday banquets being the most common. Other
events that are rewarded these singers are:
• Christmas Madrigal
Feasts in December. Varsity Singers have period costumes,
play and sing under the pageantry of banners, a castle
mural, brass fanfares and speeches. Approximately 90 people
per night are served historical dinners in candlelight
under the gaze of the boar's head!
• Singing Valentines:
Every February, Varsity Singers is hired out into the
community to sing for loved ones. Singing at 20 locations,
sometimes in three counties, makes it a very busy but
often meaningful and hilarious day!
• Excursions: Weekend
singing excursions have taken the group to Indianapolis;
Washington D.C.; Berea, Kentucky and Cincinnati.
Musicals: Central Christian has consistently
produced outstanding musical productions including: Music
Man, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof,
Plain and Fancy, Annie and more.
Heartland String Quartet: Four students are selected
to this chamber group. They perform at local elementary
schools, events, and are hired for weddings. |
Historical
notes:
2002: Concert Choir was invited by composer Alice
Parker to perform with her choir in New York City
for a Martin Luther King spirituals concert.
2004: Varsity Singers was invited to perform and
debut a piece written for them at the Cincinnati
Mennonite Arts Weekend.
At least one choir
has achieved a Superior rating every year
since 1991. Choirs often compete at Class AA which
is the most difficult level. |
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