December 1, 2005

A selection of renaissance and spiritual musical pieces is among the 15-member Chamber Choir’s repertoire, which the group will take to Bulgaria and Turkey during Christmas break.

“This is the first time the chamber choir has traveled overseas,” said Virginia Cross, chairman of Corban’s music department. “Students have been very involved in planning the trip and planning and executing fund-raising events.”

In development for two years, the international tour is an outgrowth of Choir Director Matt Strauser’s doctoral studies. He went to Varna, Bulgaria, in 2003 to participate in a conducting workshop.

“I was impressed with the educational aspects of the conducting workshop the students have been invited to, and with the beautiful culture and heritage of Bulgaria,” Strauser said. “We also plan to sing in at least three churches and two schools, and are taking special gifts for widows who are part of a church in Bulgaria.”

The group is to leave Portland International Airport Dec. 29 and return Jan. 12 on what is an educational, musical and ministry trip. Istanbul is the first stop.

“I’ve never been overseas, and it’s always been something I wanted to do,” said Junior Jared Hernandez, a tenor from Albany, Ore. “I have a real desire to minister. If I’m going, I want to go for God’s glory. And I love to sing, too. Hey, if I get to sing and glorify God, I’m all for it!”

Hernandez is one of at least 90 students involved in Corban’s music program, Dr. Cross said.

“To me, it’s significant that when I arrived at the college 10 years ago, there were no instrumental performing groups and now we have a concert band, a jazz band and a string ensemble,” Dr. Cross said. “I’m very proud of our progress in the instrumental area. We’ve also seen a significant growth in our choral program, in numbers and in musical maturity of our choirs.”

Strauser worked out the details of the 15-day excursion with a Christian tour operator.

“We’ve been invited to sing in a church in Istanbul and tour some historic sights,” Strauser said. “Istanbul is the gateway to the Middle East – Syria, Iran, Iraq.”

Istanbul is on a passage of land between the Mediterranean and Black eas that bridges Europe and the Middle East. Formerly known as Constantinople, it was the center of the Ottoman Empire, and before that was the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, the director said.

“I’m excited to take a Christian choir over to experience the culture and share the gospel,” Strauser said. “I can’t wait to stand on the shore of the Black Sea in Varna, Bulgaria, and sing praises to our Creator God and King.”

--By Karen L. Willoughby