Old "Good News"

In the realm of the information age, this is old news. However, considering how often I update this site, this is practically a "scoop." Adam Young is a successful pop artist - basically a one man band called "Owl City." He is also a Christian. What I like about his recent blog post is not simply that it reveals his faith, but that it reveals his faith simply. No flashy TV evangelism here. Just a man whose cup overflowed with the Gospel. Well done, Adam.

http://owlcityblog.com/2010/10/25/my-hope-is-found/

Scattered Pianos

Just further proof that Lancaster is the coolest city this side of Seattle..."Keys for the City" - dozens of decorated upright pianos placed in various locations throughout downtown. This video features several Lancastrian pianists including my friend, Matt Monticchio, at the 33 second point (on the left).

The Pirates have left the building!

The Cast and Crew of Lancaster Bible College's "Pirates of Penzance"


I just finished conducting a three week run of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance." It was the college's first operetta, and was a great success with over 3,000 people seeing the 6 shows. Exciting things are happening at LBC including a new Musical Theatre Emphasis under the Vocal Performance Major. Oh, and it's snowing (again).

Chamber Singers Photo

This is one of my favorite promo photos ever. This is actually of last year's group but most of them are still around.

Vocal Sphere

Rob and Kendra are singing with a new chamber ensemble called "Vocal Sphere." It is one of several "Sphere" chamber groups founded by composer, pianist, and countertenor Matt Monticchio. Vocal Sphere's first public performance (beside a Sunday morning at Matt's church, Wheatland Presbyterian) was for Lancaster Bible College's "Faculty and Friends Concert" last week. Although the acoustics of the Good Shepherd Chapel don't exactly lend themselves to Renaissance vocal music, the group was very well received.

Here is Vocal Sphere performing "O quam gloriosum" at the Faculty and Friends Concert. Rob is singing bass and Kendra is singing alto. Enjoy!

Our National Anthem

The LBC Chamber Singers were recently rehearsing the US National Anthem for upcoming sporting events. I took this as an opportunity to share that I greatly prefer straight-forward performances of it rather than the overly vocal-riffed versions we commonly hear today.

This promo video from the US Army is the best performance of the "official" arrangement that I've found. Enjoy.

"Please rise..."

Flash Mob

OK, this is old news by now, but I still think that the whole "flash mob" concept is one of the coolest cultural phenomenons of this decade. I actually get a little misty eyed at the idea of dozens of disparate people joining together in one, brief, unified moment. And hey, this one happened in Seattle, so it's got that going for it!