It was the summer of 1983 in a wooded, lake-dotted part of Canada where I was traveling with a singing group from a Baptist college in Ohio. I was staying with an older Baptist woman and happened to be browsing through her record albums when I came across a familiar name, "The Rosedale Chorale." Although I was Baptist at the time, I was familiar with Rosedale Bible Institute since it was near my home-500 miles away in Ohio. I was curious: how did she happen to own a Rosedale Chorale record? "It's a wonderful choir," the woman said. She had heard them at a church in the area and had bought the record.

Later, I married a Mennonite, left my Baptist roots and continued to enjoy hearing the sweet sounds of the Rosedale Chorale. Sitting in a concert and listening to those familiar a cappella harmonies has always given me a nostalgic, "coming home" feeling. Through the concerts and recordings of the Rosedale Chorale, RBI has reached out over the past 30 years to a large audience all over the world - disproportionally large, really, considering the size of the school. Whether singing in a remote part of Canada or in an urban church in eastern Germany, the chorale has been used of God over the years to touch people. "Never underestimate the power of music to touch people's souls," singer / speaker John Schmid reminded chorale members in a recent chapel service at RBI.

A Little Bit Of History...

The tradition of a select touring choir at RBI started as early as 1966 when 28 students, directed by Henry Plank, traveled to Indiana for a weekend to give some programs. From 1968-70 Nathan Showalter directed the select chorus and named it the Rosedale Chorale. John 0. Yoder directed the chorale in 1971, Henry Plank in 1972, and in 1973 Lloyd Kauffman began directing the group, a position he would hold for the next 23 years. (The only chorale that he didn't direct in those years was in 1993 when Kevin Yoder took over so that Lloyd could teach in Kenya.) The first cassettes and records were produced in 1969, and the chorale has recorded almost every year since.

Chorales have traveled all over the United States and Canada; several summer chorales have gone to Europe.

Well over 800 people can claim to be chorale alumni, many of whom are now using their musical gifts in their local churches. Ken Miller, who has directed the chorale since 1997, says, "Chorale gives the students a chance to learn and perform choral music in a formal setting. It also provides an opportunity for students to get out into various settings to minister and experience a broad spectrum of Mennonite churches."

Chorale members have funny stories to tell, like falling off risers or getting locked into the bus's luggage compartment. Tight schedules, nervousness about not being ready for the first program and broken-down buses have all been part of the chorale tradition.

But times of ministry stand out in members' minds as a significant part of their chorale experiences. In a recent article for the Mirror (RBI's alumni newsletter), Lloyd Kauffman recalled a time when he felt that the chorale really ministered: "The first year, we sang at a small church in St. Petersburg, Florida, with many retirees. I didn't know how the choral-style program would connect. Afterwards an older man came up and said with tears how one song meant so much to him, 'Go Not Far From Me Oh God', particularly the line, 'Cast me not away from you in my age when my strength faileth me.' It stood out to me because it was so unexpected in that setting."

Chorale members also recognize the chorale's potential for ministry. Three-year member Mark Sarver says, "The thing I've enjoyed most is seeing the expressions on people's faces - the way it's ministering to people." Sabrina Funk, who also sang for three years, agrees: "I have enjoyed seeing God use the songs to touch people." Julie Weaver feels she is ministered to when she sings: "The words of the songs become a part of me."

Former members recall that friendships were a big part of their chorale experience.

Jon Showalter, 1976-78 chorale member, says, "Chorale was in many ways the highlight of my years at RBI. The friendships that I developed at RBI which have been the most important to me in the years since were nurtured significantly in the context of chorale." Rob and Doris Swartz, who were dating while on chorale in 1985, remember it as a good time of developing friendships: "We got to know people a lot better. Relationships were really solidified."

Chorale participants also view their experience as a time to hone their musical skills. "I learned a lot about good musical techniques," says Rob. Joy Helmuth expresses what she has been taught in three years of chorale involvement: "I've learned how to work together with other parts to make beautiful music. If one person or part is off... it throws the whole piece off."

Over the years the musical repertoire has changed. In addition to traditional a cappella arrangements, instruments have been added, with some pieces having a definite contemporary feel. But in essence it has remained the same, and I continue to get that nostalgic, "coming home" feeling when I attend a concert or listen to their most recent CD. Arlin Sauder, who was a member in 1998, said it well when he reflected on what he learned through his chorale experience: "Our musical praise to God is timeless. From the hymn authors of centuries ago to the writers of today, the praise of God continues. Through music, any life can be touched with the love of God."