SMBI at Salem, or Benj and the Warblers
I was running a little late, so we didn’t get there early. And Salem isn’t a very large church, so we ended up on chairs in the foyer. We were pretty close to the doors though, I think the foyer was almost filled clear up.
Pretty good-sized choir, around 45 I think they said. Benj did a fantastic job. This was his first real experience actually directing a choir, but his choral background and deft musical hand served him very well.
Being a fairly large amateur choir, I was impressed with their ability to keep phrases light where appropriate (not an easy task). I was also impressed with the dynamic contrast they displayed (that’s not real easy either). Reminds me of something my college music prof told me once (in between tenor jokes), there’s nothing worse than a mezzo forte choir! Meaning of course a choir that sang everything at one volume.
Clean, tight, in tune, they did a very nice job.
Anyway, those things don’t happen by accident, so props (am I hip or what) to Benj!
It was fun when they first filed in. Jewel and I sat there going “Hey there’s Stephanie, there’s Jonny, there’s Heidi, there’s Melody,” there’s him and there’s her!
Of course we were one of the last ones to leave, had a lot of people to talk to.
7 Responses
February 12th, 2005 at 4:50 pm
Our Benj will go far! The SMBI chorus has a reputation for good quality choral music, and has been a favorite of mine for many years. Funny though, is it just me or are the students getting younger every year? Used to be, older (20 and up) Mennonite young people attended there. Oh, it’s been pointed out that I’m the one getting older. Phooey!
February 12th, 2005 at 5:04 pm
Paul, just wait until you have been out of Bible School for 23 years! Then there’s no escaping the fact of who it is that is getting older. It seems that those students STILL keep getting younger and younger, though. :-)
EG
February 12th, 2005 at 5:19 pm
Where did you go to Bible School? I went to Maranatha for two years, wanted to go to SMBI, but the Lord had other plans for me. I was an SMBI groupie for several of my single youth years though.
February 12th, 2005 at 9:22 pm
I went to Rosedale Bible Institute (now known as Rosedale Bible College) near Plain City, Ohio, the entire 1981-82 school year. One of the students when I was there is now the president of the college, and will be out here in Oregon speaking at a local church in March. Will be interesting to go hear him, as I don’t believe I have seen him in the 23 intervening years! Some of my friends have attended Maranatha, but they are probably all a bit older than you. Bible school really expanded my then-narrow horizons, and gave me friends that I am so thankful to have gained–even though we never cross paths any more (thank God for cell phones and email!).
EG
February 12th, 2005 at 11:42 pm
Good job on the blog Tom! Yes, tea is a very necessary thing to have around. A question for you, do you know any Zooks? I went to Maranatha B.S with some that were from out that way. Did a Heidi Ulrich have a solo at the SMBI program?
Lavern
February 13th, 2005 at 1:15 am
I do indeed know some Zooks, but do you mean from IN or OR? I know the Cliff Zook family (Ryan, Rallie, Randy, etc.) from OR. Don’t think I know any our here in IN.
There were a couple of girls that did solos, I didn’t know who they were though.
February 13th, 2005 at 12:53 pm
Yeah, it was Rallie from OR and one of his cousins. I was just curious about Heidi ’cause she my cousin.
Lavern