A new album of original compositions from Dr. David Berry, associate professor of music and chair of the music department at 91����, brings the melodies of African American spirituals into the classical piano tradition.

The album, Spirit, Body and Soul: Concert Spirituals for Solo Piano, was released Sept. 4 through the Grammy Award-winning Navona Records label. It is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 

The nine-track album features Berry’s solo piano compositions based on beloved spirituals such as “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho,” “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” “Go Down, Moses,” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” as well as a special improvisation on “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

“These are songs I’ve known practically my whole life,” Berry said. “All of this music has deep meaning for me, and so it’s definitely been an engaging and emotional process writing these pieces, contemplating the lyrics of these spirituals, and interpreting them in sound.”

Berry began working on the project in November, shortly before his sabbatical last semester. He had already written several of the pieces for recitals and other performances at 91���� and seen how popular they were. When people began asking where they could find recordings of his reimagined spirituals, he saw an opportunity to turn them into his solo debut album. He recorded the tracks in January at GBH Fraser Performance Studio in Boston.

Berry’s style, praised as “touchingly introspective” by Gramophone, blends the power, sweep, and virtuosity of the classical piano tradition with elements of various Black music styles, according to the album’s description.

“These songs came organically from my soul and from all the music that lives in me,” Berry said. “You hear the influences of composers like Liszt and Rachmaninoff, but you also hear the sound of the blues, of gospel music, and jazz.”

The result, Berry said, is “a human journey of emotion.”

“Those feelings we carry with us of perseverance through adversity, sorrow, grief, joy, isolation, community, all of those things,” he said. “Every sort of feeling you can imagine is in these spirituals. And that’s what the title tries to encapsulate: Spirit, Body and Soul. Those are the ingredients for this project.”

Album release concert

An album release concert on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. at 91����’s Lehman Auditorium will feature Berry’s piano compositions alongside vocal performances from local singers he has worked with in the Harrisonburg area.

This concert is sponsored by , who will be providing a special Yamaha CSX 9-foot concert grand piano for the concert in collaboration with  of Frederick, Maryland.

“It’ll be a fun celebration of my work as an artist, but also of how this project was birthed through this community,” he said.

Berry plans to release the sheet music for his compositions at .

For more information about the album, visit .

Hear Dr. Berry talk about the inspiration behind “Spirit, Body and Soul.”

Cynthia “Cindy” Lapp ’86 may have been destined to become a Mennonite pastor.

Her parents were both Mennonite pastors, as were her grandfathers. Her husband’s father and grandfather were Mennonite pastors, too.

Despite the family tradition, Lapp didn’t always envision following in their footsteps.

“I would ask my dad, ‘How did you know you wanted to do this?’ and he never had a satisfactory answer for me,” she said. “I think my children probably don’t get a satisfactory answer from me either. It’s a mysterious kind of thing.”

Lapp, pastor of in suburban Maryland since 2003, is the recipient of 91����’s 2026 Distinguished Service Award. The annual award recognizes alumni who exemplify the university’s emphases on Christian service and peacemaking and have made a significant impact on the lives of others.

“I was surprised. I thought they must’ve sent the letter to the wrong person,” she said. “Then I thought, ‘Oh, distinguished means old. It must mean I’ve reached a certain age.’”

Lapp grew up in Oregon after moving from Pennsylvania in the fourth grade. As a child, she dreamed of appearing on Sesame Street.

“I thought that would be a great job because you could play with puppets and spend time with kids and act and sing,” she said. “I feel like pastoring is like that. There are so many different things I get to do that are intriguing to me.”

Those roles extend well beyond preaching. Lapp works with other faith leaders to support immigrants through the Congregation Action Network, serves as a community chaplain with the Hyattsville Police Department, and volunteers with Congregations United for Compassion and Empowerment, which operates a day center for people experiencing homelessness or financial hardship.

In August 2017, she joined nearly 100 clergy and faith leaders the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.

“I appreciate that our congregation is interested in relating to the larger community,” Lapp said. “It’s not just about taking care of one another, which we do, but it’s also about knowing who our neighbors are outside of the church and figuring out what their needs are.”

Some of her most significant ministry came through one of the most difficult chapters in Hyattsville Mennonite Church’s history.

The congregation became of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Mennonite church when it welcomed its first openly gay member in 1986. In 2005, two years after bringing an openly gay delegate to a conference meeting, the church was formally disciplined. For the next decade, Hyattsville representatives could not vote at conference meetings or serve in leadership roles, and Lapp herself was placed under review. In 2015, the Allegheny Mennonite Conference voted 72-70 to reinstate the congregation to full membership.

“We stuck around,” Lapp said. “We kept engaged with the conference, which was really hard, but it was definitely worth it. And I’m really proud of our congregation for how we navigated that.”

At 91����, Lapp majored in music, sang with the Chamber Singers, and participated in the Washington Study-Service Year, now the 91���� Washington Semester. She later worked for the program from 1989-93.

“That was very formational for me,” she said. “I ended up coming back to D.C. and I’ve never left.”

After graduating from Wesley Theological Seminary in 1998, Lapp had not intended to become a pastor. But when Hyattsville’s pastor took a sabbatical and asked her to fill in, she discovered her calling.

“That was eye-opening for me,” she said. “It helped me feel that this was something I could do.”

Today, Lapp and her husband, Eric Stoltzfus, live in Mount Rainier, Maryland. They have three adult children, Cecilia, Jamie ’20, and Elijah.

Lapp will share her story at 91���� TenTalks, held on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. in Martin Chapel during Homecoming 2026. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit emu.edu/homecoming.

For Trent Wagler ’02, lead singer and songwriter for the folk-rock band The Steel Wheels, music is a powerful way to bring people together.

“Anybody who’s been around music has had that experience,” he said. “Go to a music festival in some country far away, where you don’t speak the language, and listen.”

“The words don’t matter so much anymore. You’re not concerned about whether or not they’re on your side of the political aisle or on the team you root for. Instead, it’s just a rhythm we can all move to together.”

For more than 20 years, Wagler has toured with , performing about 100 shows each year across the United States, Canada, and Europe. During that time, the band has released more than a dozen studio albums, founded the annual , and earned several Independent Music Awards.

The banjo- and guitar-strumming frontman, who earned degrees in theater and peace, justice, and conflict studies (now peacebuilding and development), credits his 91���� education with inspiring him to create music that invites people in, offers fresh perspectives, and leaves room for listeners to find their own meaning.

“Together, we create something special in a given night, on a weekend, and hopefully, over time,” he said.

That commitment to building community through music has earned Wagler 91����’s 2026 Alum of the Year Award. He shares the honor with fellow alumnus and Steel Wheels bandmate Eric Brubaker ’01.

“Being recognized for the work that Eric and I are doing, in bringing music that we believe in to people, it means a lot that people have noticed,” Wagler said.

At 91����, Wagler sang with the Chamber Singers and participated in the Washington Study-Service Year (now the 91���� Washington Semester). For his intercultural experience, he spent a year in Gaza teaching English and guitar lessons in a refugee camp.

“I got to know quite a few really amazing young Muslim Palestinians who were primarily my peers as I lived over there,” he said.

That experience continues to shape his approach to songwriting and storytelling.

“These are people who love to play games, sing songs, enjoy the taste of fresh fruit, and joke, laugh and cry together,” he said. “To me, our job is to remember, even when it’s difficult or unpopular, that the basic human impulses, needs, desires, and joys are universal.”

Long before that formative year in Gaza, Wagler grew up in rural Indiana and later graduated from a small high school in south-central Kansas. The son of a Mennonite pastor, he remembers singing harmonies in church from an early age.

His parents, Howard ’71 and Cathryn ’71, met at 91����, but Wagler said it was a campus visit and conversation with Professor Emeritus Dr. Kenneth J. Nafziger, longtime director of the Chamber Singers, that convinced him to enroll.

“That one visit to campus made all the difference,” Wagler said. “There were a lot of little steps that brought me here. They may not be the reasons I value 91���� most today, but I’m very grateful I ended up here.”

When he’s not touring, Wagler builds community through music in the Shenandoah Valley. He teaches at , a four-day strings camp for youth and adults held at 91����, hosts and performs at Red Wing Roots Music Festival, serves on the board of the nonprofit , and has taught in 91����’s music department since 2002.

He said he’s passionate about helping musicians of all ages grow and creating more opportunities for people to make music together.

“I think that makes a better community and a better world,” he said.

The Steel Wheels will perform a live show on campus at the annual Royal City Celebration from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, during Homecoming 2026.

Wagler will share his story at 91���� TenTalks, held on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. in Martin Chapel, also during Homecoming. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit emu.edu/homecoming.

Eric Brubaker ’01, fiddler and founding member of the folk-rock band The Steel Wheels, jokes that he owes his touring career to 91����.

The social work major performed in the 91���� Orchestra and choir and toured Cuba with the Chamber Singers. Music had always been an important part of his life, but he never imagined it would become his profession.

When he and four other students formed a bluegrass band called Reuben’s Potted Ferns during his junior year, 91����’s Admissions Office sent the group on a 10-day recruiting tour during the spring of 2000. The band played 16 shows, primarily at Mennonite schools and churches throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio.

“So, I blame 91���� for starting off my touring career,” Brubaker said with a laugh.

After graduating, he quickly realized that a career in social work was not for him. He returned to music, joining fellow 91���� alumni Trent Wagler ’02 and Brian Dickel ’98 and Goshen College graduate Jay Lapp to form what would become .

More than two decades, two additional band members, and over a dozen studio albums later, Brubaker and his bandmates have carved out a successful career as musicians.

“I know that’s a hard thing to do, and 91���� gave me a great starting place for that,” Brubaker said. “I was allowed to find myself here. I didn’t know what I wanted to do or who I wanted to be, and here I was able to study different things but also continue to play music.”

He said his time in the Chamber Singers under Professor Emeritus Dr. Kenneth J. Nafziger taught him the importance of listening to the people he performs with.

“You can’t have a band that lasts for 20 years without truly listening to each other: on stage, off stage, musically, and relationally,” he said.

Beyond performing, Brubaker uses music to bring people together and build community. He is a co-founder of the , hosted annually by the band in nearby Mount Solon, Virginia, which has featured artists including Old Crow Medicine Show, Lucinda Williams, and Steve Earle.

He also hosts , a four-day music camp at 91���� that teaches roughly 140 students ages 5 to 19—adults joined the program for the first time this year—to play string instruments. Participants perform on stage with The Steel Wheels during the music festival.

“Music creates a moment where everyone is focusing on the same thing,” he said. “It’s not politics. It’s not religion. It’s just a gathering of humanity that wants to celebrate something beautiful.”

Brubaker’s commitment to connecting communities through music has earned him 91����’s 2026 Alum of the Year Award. The award recognizes alumni for significant achievements in their profession, community, or church and serves to inspire others to lead lives of service and vocational excellence.

“I’m honored,” he said. “There are so many people who have done amazing work, and so many people working hard behind the scenes who never receive acclaim.”

The community Brubaker has spent years helping build became especially meaningful in 2019, when he and his wife lost their young daughter, Norah, to a sudden illness.

“We were surrounded not only by our artistic community, the people who loved the band and the music we made, but also by the community surrounding 91���� and the larger Mennonite community,” he said. “They were incredibly supportive.”

Today, Brubaker and his wife, Peggy ’00, are continuing their commitment to making music accessible. They recently formed the nonprofit Red Wing Academy Foundation, which provides scholarships for students to attend the camp.

“It’s been amazing to connect with people who want to help pass music on to a younger generation,” he said.

The Steel Wheels will perform a live show on campus at the annual Royal City Celebration from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, during Homecoming 2026.

Brubaker will share his story at 91���� TenTalks, held on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. in Martin Chapel, also during Homecoming. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit emu.edu/homecoming.

The group of 10 HHS seniors wrote, performed, and produced Dis/connect, a nine-track, multi-genre album recorded at 91����’s Astral Recording Studio in March. Listen to Dis/connect on or by using the embedded player below.

Last year, while the Astral Recording Studio was still under construction (it opened during the fall 2025 semester), Dr. Benjamin Guerrero, assistant professor of music at 91����, led a tour of the space for high school students. During the visit, he and J.R. Snow, Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, began discussing the idea of bringing students in to record an album.

“We just looked at each other and said, ‘Let’s make that happen,’” Guerrero said.

After learning that students in the Fine Arts Academy were interested in creating an album, Snow reached back out to Guerrero, who consulted on the project. Together, they decided the students would write and rehearse their songs in advance so they would be ready to record during their studio visit.

“For many of our students, going into the studio and recording was definitely their favorite part of the project,” Snow said.

One of those students, Wren Hamner, who contributed a rap song and a murder ballad—a song that tells the story of a murder, like “No Body, No Crime” by Taylor Swift—to the album, described the anticipation leading up to the group’s trip to Astral Recording Studio.

“None of us had ever recorded in a legit studio before,” Hamner said. “When we got there, we had everything planned out. We were ready to go, and everything just came together.”

Billy Perritt, another student from the academy, sang on three songs, playing guitar on two and drums on one. He said it was also his first time in a professional recording setting.

“It was such a blast,” he said. “It was a really cool learning experience, and I’m so glad I was able to do it. I’m thankful to 91���� for letting us use their facility.”

Snow, who served as capstone coordinator for the Fine Arts Academy, said he was impressed by the cutting-edge capabilities of the state-of-the-art space.

“I have just enough knowledge about music technology to know how high-quality the Dolby Atmos studio is and to see what a gift it is for our community,” he said. “It’s a game-changer for artists who are looking to do some high-quality work.”

Guerrero helped guide students through the recording process while they were at the studio, noting that they spent about an hour in the studio on each song. He added that the group received a discounted rate for their time, one way 91���� and its recording studio are connecting with the local community.

“It’s almost like an exclusive admissions tour,” he said. “It’s not just, ‘Can they envision themselves in the studio being creative?’ but ‘Can they envision themselves at 91����?’”

91���� the Astral Recording Studio

Located in the former Astral Hall building atop the 91���� Hill at 1304 Hillcrest Drive, the studio features acoustically treated rooms designed for crystal-clear sound. It provides students, faculty, staff, and community artists access to professional tools for recording and mixing music, video, podcasts, and other audio projects. Learn more at .

91���� the HHS Fine Arts Academy

The interdisciplinary, collaborative, and experiential learning community prepares students for lifelong careers, passions, and appreciation of creativity through the arts. The Class of 2026 marked the final year of the academy. Learn more about the academy and their album at .

Read all about the Astral Recording Studio in the story posted below:

Junior vocalist Elie Hoover (soprano) and senior saxophonist Jadon Harley will perform as student soloists with the 91���� Orchestra at its spring Concerto/Aria Concert at 7 p.m. this Friday in Lehman Auditorium.

We caught up with Hoover, a social work and music interdisciplinary studies major from New Carlisle, Ohio, ahead of the event.

What piece will you perform at the concert?

I will be performing “Una donna quindici anni” from Mozart’s Così fan tutte. My voice teacher helped me choose a piece that fits my voice well. It’s a lively selection that I have a lot of fun singing.

Is there a specific teacher you’ve been training with?

Shannon Kiser has been working with me to make this piece the best it can be. He encourages me in many ways and always offers insightful guidance to help me improve. [Music Professor] Benjamin Bergey has also worked hard to prepare the orchestra and integrate me into the process.

What excites you most about this concert?

I’m especially excited to sing in this concert because it’s a unique opportunity to perform as a soloist with such a large and talented group of musicians as an undergraduate student. It’s truly an honor to share the stage with my peers as well as musicians from the community. I hope they have as much fun performing with me as I do with them.

What’s your favorite thing about 91���� Music?

The 91���� Music Department has been a home for me over the past couple of years. The ensembles and classes vary in size and level, allowing them to meet students where they are. I always know I have people who will help me improve and classmates I can grow closer to and share this journey with.

Livestream the concert on the .

91���� held its ninth annual Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival on Wednesday and Thursday. The campuswide event, hosted by the Provost’s Office and organized by its Intellectual Life Committee, offered students opportunities to learn and engage with one another and to showcase their research, creative projects and papers.

In her opening remarks before the festival’s keynote address on Wednesday, Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus described the ACE Festival as a “celebration of student scholarship.”

“It’s where ideas take shape, not only in papers and research, but also in art, performance, and creative expression, and in the courage it takes to share one’s thinking with others,” she said.

“Here, students learn from one another,” she added. “We engage perspectives across our fields and practice the kind of communication and collaboration that will shape our lives beyond today and this semester.”

Career fair

Students connect with local employers at a career fair in the Hall of Nations on Thursday.

A new addition to this year’s ACE Festival was a career fair held Thursday inside the University Commons Hall of Nations. The event, hosted by the Alumni Engagement Office, gave students a chance to interact directly with employers, connect with alumni professionals, explore career options, and pursue internships or jobs.

Employers represented a range of industries, including Augusta Health, Merck, Park View Federal Credit Union, and Momentum Earthworks. 

One of those employers was Kirby Dean ’92, director of parks and recreation for Rockingham County. He previously served as head coach of the 91���� men’s basketball team for 15 years, leading the “Runnin’ Royals” to the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Although his department didn’t have any full-time job openings, he said he’s always hiring part-time workers to staff the rec center desk, rake fields during baseball tournaments, or mow grass. He said the career fair was a great way to build relationships and connect with students.

“I feel like there are just good kids here,” Dean said. “They were good when I went here from 1988 to 1992, they were good when I coached here from 2003 to 2018, and they’re good now. They’re the kind of people I’m generally looking for.”

Another employer at the career fair represented the local school division. Jeron Baker, assistant director of human resources for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, said the division typically looks to fill between 50 and 60 jobs each year, mostly teaching positions in math, science, elementary education, and English Language Learner (ELL) classes.

The former associate director of 91���� admissions said 91���� graduates have a natural understanding of the diversity and complexity within Harrisonburg’s student community.

“They sense the nuances of the human component and understand that education is not just about outcomes, but about process,” he said. “The process of knowing our students more deeply and understanding their systems more fully—it’s just something that comes naturally to 91���� students.”

91���� 60% of students in the city’s public schools speak Spanish at home, Baker said, and 50 to 60 languages are spoken by students across its two high schools. 

“91����’s ability to create cross-cultural experiences for its students while also bringing in international populations helps students develop cultural competency in ways that are unique to 91����,” he said. “That supports our populations, our students, our families, and the broader vision HCPS has for its students.”

In an last week, 91���� sophomore Francisco Rodriguez said the event offered him a chance to look at a lot of different career paths.

“Sales is a big passion of mine,” he told the newspaper, “but understanding there are other options available here, it’s really nice to be able to check it all out.”

Presentations

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Senior nursing majors Emily Guin, Kristina Suslaev, and Reina Landa give a presentation on the effects of social media use on mental health in children and adolescents. | Senior engineering major Levi Stutzman discusses gentrification trends in Washington D.C. and Denver during a poster session at the Suter Science Center. | Chase Comer, a senior majoring in political science and history, presents research on shifting voting patterns in Virginia’s Buchanan and Rockingham counties. 

Students from a wide range of majors presented their academic research Thursday in oral presentations and poster sessions across campus. Topics included the concentration of antioxidants in cinnamon bark, the effect of data centers on surrounding infrastructure and resources, the relationship between trauma and homelessness, and the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities.

Senior Emily Guin, part of a group of nursing majors presenting at Martin Chapel early Thursday morning, said her favorite thing about the ACE Festival was attending other presentations and supporting her peers. “I feel like I learn something new at every presentation,” she said. For instance, she said that last year she learned childhood obesity rates in Harrisonburg were higher than the national average.

Guin will work at Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Emergency Department after graduation. Her group presented on the relationship between social media use among children and adolescents and their emotional well-being and mental health. She said they researched the topic because of how relevant and new it is. 

“I think it’s crazy how impactful social media is, both positive and negative,” Guin said. “I can’t imagine growing up in such a digital time now. It makes me feel so old to say that, but I can’t fathom having everything posted on social media.”

Like many students on campus, engineering senior Levi Stutzman had a busy day of presentations. He was part of a cohort that tracked 91����’s carbon emissions and presented findings showing the university is not on track to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 (as outlined in its Climate Action Plan).

He also delivered a poster presentation analyzing census data from 2000 and 2020 for areas of Washington D.C. and Denver to chart gentrification in those cities. Later that afternoon, he and three other students gave an engineering capstone presentation on a “single-axis shake table” they designed to simulate sesmic movement and its impact on structures. 

“It’s exciting to show off your projects and see what everyone else is working on,” Stutzman said. “It’s a special time of the year.”

Another engineering major, junior Micah Mast, presented a 3D printer he revived and upgraded. 91���� purchased the printer, a Makerbot Replicator+, in 2018. Because the machine’s parts and software were discontinued, it had largely been unused for several years. 

“It was always the printer nobody wanted to use because the prints were low quality,” Mast said. “It just kind of sat there.”

For his project, he replaced the printer’s proprietary control system with modern open-source electronics, resulting in improved print quality, a faster workflow, and long-term serviceability, all for about $150. The upgraded MakerBot adds a fourth working printer to 91����’s collection. 

“This goes along with sustainability, using things that otherwise would’ve essentially been thrown in the trash,” he said. 

Mast said his favorite thing about the ACE Festival is showing the rest of the school what he spent an entire semester working toward.

“There were countless hours of trying to get it to do what it’s doing right now,” he said, pointing to the machine, which was successfully printing tugboats known as the “3DBenchy” test print.

Art exhibition

Senior art students Donovan Arnason, Daisy Buller, Hollyn Miller, Jasmin Ruiz, and Allie Watkins presented their capstone projects during an opening reception Thursday afternoon at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. The exhibition will remain on display through May 1.

Student recital

A student recital at Lehman Auditorium featured performances by vocalists Mac Rhodes-Lehman (bass) and Eli Stoll (baritone), pianists Rafael de Tablan and Micah Wenger, violinist Miriam Rhodes, violist Monica Ehrenfels, flautist Nina Dunsmore, and guitarist and vocalist Erin Yoder (alto). The musicians were accompanied by Harold Bailey and Dominic Baldoni on piano.

A wind ensemble concert was held that evening, followed by a university choir concert on Friday as part of the weeklong ACE Festival lineup. View recordings of those concerts on the .

Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation

The 17th annual Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation recognized and celebrated the winners of 91����’s Excellence in Teaching Awards. Faculty members Dr. Ryan Good, Dr. Kathryn Howard-Ligas, and Kevin Carini were announced as this year’s recipients. 

Click the post below for testimonials about each recipient, the winners of the student writing and academic awards, and the faculty and student authors recognized for their published scholarly works.

Keynote address

A keynote address by Dr. Deborah Lawrence, chief scientist at Calyx Global, opened the ACE Festival on Wednesday morning. Lawrence, who taught at the University of Virginia as an environmental sciences professor for more than 25 years, reflected on Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, 91����’s Common Read this year, and spoke about her research on forests in Borneo, Mexico, and around the world. 

Read our recap of her address below:

The ACE Festival is hosted by the Provost’s Office and made possible by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the Center for Interfaith Engagement; and the Daniel B. Suter Endowment, which supports 91����’s commitment to fostering curiosity, discovery, and scientific learning. 

For a full schedule of ACE Festival events, visit .

Photos by Aric Berg and Jon Styer/At Ease Consulting

Among those performing at the event were the 91���� Theatre Department, the 91���� Jazz Combo, Hot Mamas, Sun V Set, Sierra Lambert, Cerulean Valley, Ebro, and Thaddeus Jackson.

Thaddeus Jackson ’24 performs electric guitar at Friday’s Music on the Hill in the Discipleship Center.

Dr. Benjamin Guerrero, assistant professor of music at 91����, plays the melodica (left). Eastern Mennonite Seminary student Makinto performs jazz flute (right).

Student cast members from 91���� Theatre’s upcoming production of “The Winter’s Tale: A Musical Adaptation” perform songs from the spring musical. The play comes to the Lee Eshleman Studio Theater from April 9-12.

Bryan Joya-Estrada, who portrays the role of Shepherd and plays a mix of instruments in “The Winter’s Tale,” plays keytar (left). Emilee White and Kayden Beidler, who play Florizel and Perdita, respectively, in the musical, sing at Music on the Hill (right).

Faculty, staff, students, and other community members gather at the Discipleship Center to take in the music (left). Jadon Harley plays saxophone (right).

Music on the Hill was organized by Adam Wirdzek, of 91���� marketing and communications, in collaboration with Atma Khalsa, of Campus Activities Council. It was funded through a DEI Inclusive Excellence Grant, made possible by the generous support of Jose Koshy ’76 and Jean Koshy-Hertzler ’79, and the Campus Activities Council.

“This was meant to connect the 91���� music scene with the Harrisonburg and broader Virginia music scenes,” Wirdzek said. “It brought people together and put 91���� on the map even more as a place where people could come and gather in community.”

He said he’s always looking for opening acts, and plans to schedule a third Music on the Hill event in early October. Those interested in performing can contact Wirdzek at adam.wirdzek@emu.edu.

91���� News often publishes event previews. Visit  to view latest postings or to subscribe to the news digest to receive Tuesday morning weekly updates.

January

Jan. 12 — Exploring Research Showcase. Come hear 91���� STEM faculty and students share highlights from a range of opportunities, including research projects, internships, and other applied STEM experiences. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center (SSC) 106.

Jan. 14 — Campus Worship: Hymn Sing for Hope. Students and faculty from 91����’s Music and Peacebuilding major lead a hymn sing. Learn more about campus worship and other worship services on campus here. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Martin Chapel, Seminary Building.

Jan. 16 — Winter Unconference session: Divisional Structure Update. Divisional Deans Sarah Bixler and Michael Horst will provide an overview of the most recent phase of work, which includes the creation of the department structure, program leadership, and describe the collaborative process of configuring departments. 10:15-11:15 a.m., Strite Conference Room (Campus Center 105).

Jan. 16 — Opening reception for exhibition by landscape oil painting artist . 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

Jan. 19 — MLK Jr. Celebration 2026. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Beyond the Dream: Social Justice and Ecological Consciousness.” Events include a convocation with featured speaker Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò (10:15-11:30 a.m., Lehman Auditorium), soapmaking and fire cider sessions (registration required), and a world climate simulation. Times and locations available at .

Jan. 26 — Concerto/Aria Competition. The student-musicians who win this competition will earn coveted spots to perform as soloists with the 91���� Orchestra during its spring Concerto/Aria Orchestra Concert in April. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Jan. 27 Rescheduled for April 21 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Jim Yoder, professor of biology at 91����. “Tracking the Untrackable: Animal Movement and Behavior at the Smallest Scales.” Dr. Yoder will briefly share his own journey of studying animal movement from birds and mammals at large spatial scales to tephritid fruit flies using harmonic radar in Australia. He will also focus on his newest research project studying tick movement and behavior, also utilizing harmonic radar. 12:10-1:10 p.m., West Dining Room.

February

Feb. 4 — Celebrate Black History Month with 91����’s Black Student Alliance during Convocation. 10:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Feb. 6 — Suter Science Seminar with Lee Brown, assistant professor of biology at James Madison University. “Things We Miss When We Take for Granted What We [Don’t] Know – Lessons From a Few Years of Monarch Butterfly Research.” Dr. Brown presents research from her lab since 2023 investigating the use of radio telemetry for tracking monarch movements, and the conservation-relevant discoveries that have emerged. 10:15-11:15 a.m., SSC 106.

Feb. 6 — International Food Festival. The beloved annual event provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and members of the surrounding community to share the great wonders of their respective cultures through food. 5:30 p.m., University Commons Hall of Nations.

Feb. 20 — Suter Science Seminar with Paula Skye Tallman, assistant professor of anthropology at Loyola University Chicago. “Action Research: Water Insecurity, Women’s Health, and Socio-Environmental Justice.” Dr. Tallman will review the ways that water insecurity influences women’s health on a global scale. She will then discuss how her team has used an “action research” framework to connect scientific research to on-the-ground action to promote gender equality and environmental conservation in Peru and Indonesia. 10:15-11:15 a.m., SSC 106.

Feb. 24 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Ji Eun Kim, associate professor of political science at 91����. “A Year of Surprise, Unexpected Turns, and Resilience.” 12:10-1 p.m., West Dining Room.

Feb. 26 — Wind Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Feb. 27 — Opening reception for exhibition by Charlottesville-based mixed media artist . 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

Feb. 28-March 5 — Chamber Singers Spring Break Tour. Locations and times of performances to be announced.

March

Spring Break for students is between Feb. 28 and March 8. Classes resume on Monday, March 9.

March 11 — Campus Worship: Fasting and Feasting. This campus worship service, co-sponsored by the Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE), will explore the practices of Fasting and Feasting for religious observances including Ramadan (Islam), Lent (Western Christianity), and The Great Lent (Eastern Orthodox Christianity). 10:15-11:05 a.m., Martin Chapel.

March 13 — Suter Science Seminar with Grayson Mast ’18, general surgery resident at Old Dominion University. “Checking In: Updates from a Surgeon in Training.” Dr. Mast’s presentation will focus on the pathway to becoming a surgeon, describing his day-to-day experience, and an overview of his clinical research. He will also discuss the importance that his time at 91���� had in shaping his worldview, practice of medicine, and approach to patient care. 10:15-11:15 a.m., SSC 106.

March 13 — Film screening for VACA Professor Elizabeth Miller Derstine‘s The Weight of Armor. Feast your eyes upon the first edit of Miller-Derstine’s newest film and give her notes by filling out a form following the show. Synopsis: “Tucked inside a Nashville strip mall is Nashville Armored Combat (NAC), the nation’s only gender-inclusive medieval armored combat gym. This film covers three raw, urgent, intertwined stories about carving out space and fighting to keep it.” 8 p.m., SSC 106.

March 24 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Jeffrey Copeland, professor of biology at 91����. “Sleep, Fat, and Aging: Investigating the Role of Serotonin and Glutamate in Biological Behaviors.” Dr. Copeland uses the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin in sleep and circadian rhythms, as well as glutamate in aging. 12:10-1 p.m., West Dining Room.

March 27 — Mornings with the Mayor, featuring Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed. University Commons Student Union, 10:15-11:05 a.m. Read about last year’s inaugural event here.

March 27 — Royal Women dedication of the Inclusivity Science Mural. Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd is an Indigenous eco-philosopher, artist, and wildlife tracker and is one of the scientists featured in the Inclusivity Science Mural located in the Suter Science Center. After a guest appearance at Mornings with the Mayor, they will be participating in the mural dedication. 4 p.m. at Suter Science Center.

March 27 — Senior Show Art Opening #1. Come see the final projects of the first group of senior VACA students. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

April

91���� observes an Easter Recess for Good Friday on April 3.

April 1 — Lov91���� Pep Rally. This fun-filled celebration kicks off the 10th annual Lov91���� Giving Day. 10:15-11:05 a.m., University Commons Yoder Arena.

April 8 — Campus Worship: Celebrating Easter! This campus worship service, co-sponsored by Eastern Mennonite Seminary, is dedicated to celebrating Easter with readings, reflections, and music on the significance of Easter. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Martin Chapel.

April 9-12 — 91���� Theatre presents “The Winter’s Tale: A Musical Adaptation.” Written by William Shakespeare and musically adapted by 91���� Theatre, this heartwarming tale for the ages follows the journeys of two kingdoms, a rift between kings, a lost queen, and the love that brings them back to one another. 7:30 p.m., April 9-12. All shows in 91���� Lee Eshleman Studio Theater. Tickets available Feb. 1.

April 13 — Film screening for VACA Professor Elizabeth Miller Derstine‘s . 8-9:30 p.m., SSC 106.

April 15 — ACE Festival Keynote with Dr. Deborah Lawrence, the director of research and analytics for nature-based solutions and engineered carbon dioxide removals. “Our Connection to Nature: Gift, Joy, Grief and a Life’s Work.” 10:15-11:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 16 — 91����’s Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival 2026 continues with a full day of scholarly presentations, poster sessions, a music department student recital (12:10 p.m., Lehman Auditorium), and an authors’ reception and award presentation (3:45-5 p.m., University Commons Hall of Nations and Student Union). View a full schedule of ACE Festival events at .

April 16 — Senior Show Art Opening #2 (during ACE Festival). Come see the final art projects of the second group of senior VACA students. 4:45-5:30 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

April 16 — Wind Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 17 — University Choir Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 18 — Senior recital featuring Naomi Kratzer. 3 p.m., Martin Chapel.

April 19 — Chamber Singers Spring Concert. 7 p.m., Park View Mennonite Church (1600 College Ave., Harrisonburg).

April 21 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Jim Yoder, professor of biology at 91����. “Tracking the Untrackable: Animal Movement and Behavior at the Smallest Scales.” Dr. Yoder will briefly share his own journey of studying animal movement from birds and mammals at large spatial scales to tephritid fruit flies using harmonic radar in Australia. He will also focus on his newest research project studying tick movement and behavior, also utilizing harmonic radar. 12:10-1:10 p.m., West Dining Room.

April 23 — Jazz Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 24 — Cords of Distinction ceremony. Ten graduating seniors will be honored with the Cords of Distinction award, which recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the university, community, and society over the course of their college careers. 10:10 a.m., Martin Chapel.

April 24 — Orchestra Spring Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

May

The 108th University Commencement is from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Commencement for the 91���� Lancaster campus is Friday, May 8, 2026.

May 2 — Graduate Celebration and Sending. The ceremony includes presidential and faculty addresses, senior class salutations, and the presentation of the senior class gift, as well as moments of prayer, music, and poetry from graduates. 7-8:30 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

More information

Arts at 91���� — To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at 91����, visit emu.edu/arts.

Center for Interfaith Engagement — The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) at 91���� promotes collaboration among religious and nonreligious scholars and practitioners, provides education in our principles and practices, and creates a safe space for developing authentic relationships and mutual understanding both between and within communities. CIE partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world.

 — Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit 91����’s campus to share their insights. Refreshments provided.

University Chapel — A community gathering place for worship and forum, chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective alongside the gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith. Faith, hope and love are nurtured in the way of Jesus. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to gather every other Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for campus worship in Martin Chapel. A student-led song, prayer and worship service is held most Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). Podcasts available.

“They use their singing to defeat the darkness, the evil,” said Bergey, associate professor of music at 91���� and architect of its distinctive’s Music and Peacebuilding undergraduate major. “I thought, This is a big hit right now. What if we rewrote the lyrics and made a parody?”

That’s exactly what he did.

Late one night at the office during 91����’s Fall Break last month, Bergey sat down and, in a flurry of creative inspiration, started writing the lyrics to a parody of “,” one of the hit songs from the popular animated film.

“I wrote something up and then thought, It would be even better if we had a video to go with it,” recalled Bergey. “I remembered that Isaac (Andreas) makes parody music videos. I sent him the audio and said, ‘This is a crazy idea, what do you think?’ And then he got to work.”

“He asked me if I would be interested, and of course I was. I was super excited,” said Andreas, who graduated from 91���� in 2022 with computer science and mathematics degrees. “This is the kind of stuff I do for fun, for free, and he was going to pay me for it.”

Andreas, a computer programmer and videography hobbyist living in Harrisonburg, produced, filmed, and edited the video. Nearly all of the filming, other than some B-roll footage, was shot from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. He spent the following three days editing the video using a free tool called DaVinci Resolve. The video released on the 91���� Music Department’s and on Thursday, Dec. 11.

In addition to Bergey, who lends his singing chops, the video features 91���� students and Chamber Singers members Elie Hoover, Ciela Acosta, and Samuel Castaneda in leading roles.

Some behind-the-scenes trivia

• The family seen at the start of the video is that of 91���� Professor Daniel Showalter. “(His two daughters) were the first people to tell me about KPop Demon Hunters,” said Andreas. “They were like, ‘This is the hit of the summer.’”
• Bergey said his two children have been scared to watch KPop Demon Hunters but have been watching the parody music video “on repeat.”
• One of the scenes in the music video was filmed in the “rave room” of a house near campus. Andreas said his friends, who are renting out the property, let him film at the house for free.

is Netflix’s most-watched title of all time. It spent eight straight weeks at No. 1 in the Netflix Top 10. “That’s part of why we thought this would be a good idea,” Bergey said. “Many of our videos reach viewers older than college age, but to connect with prospective students, we need to reach younger viewers. This seemed like a fun way to get the algorithm to reach them.”

Watch the music video below:

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Campus Worship: Christmas Stories & Songs

Time: 10:15-11:05 a.m.
Location: Martin Chapel, 91���� Seminary Building

Come celebrate and share some of the stories and songs of Christmas with musicians Dr. Benjamin Bergey, Carina Groll, and Naomi Kratzer; student chaplain and seminary student readers; and Dr. Tim Reardon sharing reflections on the incarnation, God With Us. This event will be streamed on  and remain available there.

Christmas Caroling at VMRC

Time: 5:10-6:30 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Black Lives Matter mural in front of University Commons

All are welcome to join Y-Serve and 91���� Hymn Sing leaders for a bit of Christmas caroling. Meet at the BLM mural to walk to the VMRC Woodland Homes neighborhood for caroling at several homes. Wear holiday festive clothing, earrings, hats or scarves. Song sheets will be provided.

Friday, Dec. 5 

Christmas Concert

Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: Lehman Auditorium

Celebrate the holidays with the 91���� Music Department. With performances by the 91���� Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, University Choir, and Chamber Singers, the evening is sure to bring joy and celebration.

Saturday, Dec. 6

Harrisonburg Holiday Parade

Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Along Main Street in Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia
Online:

91���� will once again have a major presence in the annual Harrisonburg Holiday Parade as the new branded bus (read more about it here!) cruises down Main Street with students and staff handing out candy and plenty of Royal spirit. The parade will move south on Main Street starting at the Rockingham County Administration Center at 7 p.m. and ending at Harrisonburg City Hall.

As a guitarist born without arms, Tony Melendez has touched countless lives with his of resilience, faith, and triumph over adversity. The internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter has played the guitar—with his feet—for Pope John Paul II, at the 1989 World Series, and on numerous TV talk shows. He’ll be performing his guitar music and sharing his incredible life story at 91����’s annual gala concert on Friday, Nov. 7.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. at 91����’s Lehman Auditorium. It will also be available to watch online through a livestream on the .

The annual gala concert has not only become one of the most popular arts events on campus each year, but also one of the most exciting and unique concerts held in the Valley, said David Berry, music program director at 91����.

“This year’s gala, themed Shared Stories, will be a spectacular evening of warmth, brilliant music making, and joy celebrating the beauty of our unique and collective stories,” Berry said. “The concert will feature electrifying world music, a host of exciting guest artists, beautiful choral singing, orchestra, wind band, and more.”

In addition to Melendez’s music, the event will showcase the world premiere of Our Story, an innovative and eclectic new work that brings together folk and world musicians from a range of styles, including Appalachian music trio After Jack, Ukrainian bandurist and electric guitarist Alex Lagoda, African soul artist Makinto, gospel singer Tabatha Parrott, and The Harrisonburg Kurdish/American String Ensemble. 91���� Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon Dycus will be the narrator for the piece.

Other highlights will include Elaine Hagenburg’s choral masterwork “Illuminare” by the University Choir and Chamber Orchestra, along with performances by the Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble.

‘Too good not to share’

Guest artist After Jack will perform programs for more than 1,000 K-8 students throughout Harrisonburg and Rockingham County schools in conjunction with , a nonprofit dedicated to making the arts accessible to students throughout the region. 

“This is sure to be an unforgettable night of beauty, exhilaration, community, peace, and joy,” Berry said. “A concert this special is too good not to share with as many people as possible.”

Thanks to lead sponsor Everence Financial for supporting this event.

This listing includes events for the fall semester at 91����. To see most current details, additional events and further information, please visit the events calendar at: 

91���� News often publishes event previews. Visit  to view latest postings or to subscribe to the news digest to receive Tuesday morning weekly updates.

September

Sept. 5 — Convocation: Unlocking the Brain. John Almarode, professor of education at James Madison University, will help students and faculty learn studying hacks to improve academic performance. 10:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Sept. 5 — Bonfire and movie night. The Latinx Student Alliance hosts a bonfire movie night, featuring a screening of Selena with s’mores and Jarritos. 8 p.m., Discipleship Center/91���� Hill.

Sept. 12 — Student internship symposium. Computer science and engineering students will share about their internship experiences over the past spring and summer. 10:15-11:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 001.

Sept. 12 — Opening reception for Fleeting, a photography exhibition from Macson McGuigan ’17, visual media manager for 91���� marketing & communications. The exhibition will remain on display until Oct. 3. 4 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

Sept. 17 — Convocation: How to College. Participants will learn essential insights in how to succeed in college. 10:15 a.m., University Commons Student Union.

Sept. 18 — BSA Movie Night. The Black Student Alliance and 91���� Gospel Choir present a showing of the movie, “Let It Shine.” 8 p.m., MainStage Theater (University Commons 170). 

Sept. 19 — Suter Science Seminar: “Harnessing a One Health approach to investigate triatomine bugs, vectors of Chagas disease.” Jennifer K. Peterson, assistant professor of medical entomology at the University of Delaware, will share her research into the Chagas disease. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Sept 22 — Tertulia. The 91���� Language & Literature Department hosts a sing-along celebration with storytelling. Guests are encouraged to wear a jersey or traditional clothing that represents a Hispanic country to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. 6:30 p.m., Old Common Grounds (University Commons 177).

Sept. 23 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Mary S. Sprunger. “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide: The Omnipresence of (Mennonite) History.” Sprunger, professor of history at 91����, presents on her sabbatical year, which was themed around the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism and included popular lectures and publications, scholarly articles and conferences, and a unique 91���� Alumni and Friends Anabaptist heritage tour on gender and class. 12:10-1 p.m., Northlawn West Dining Room.

Sept. 23 — “The 1910 ‘Legal Lynching’ of Pink Barbour in Harrisonburg, Virginia.” Gianluca DeFazio, associate professor of justice studies at James Madison University, and Mark Metzler Sawin, professor of history at 91����, present on how Pink Barbour, a local Black man, was “legal lynched” via the court system, which allowed the state to legitimize violence against Black people. 5 p.m., Strite Conference Room (Campus Center 105).

Sept. 26 — Wind & Jazz Ensemble Concert. Join the musical ensembles for the first concert of the year! 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

October

Fall Break for students is between Thursday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 19. Classes resume on Oct. 20.

Oct. 1 — Peña Folklórica. The 91���� Spanish Department invites guests to explore the music of the band Raymi, which will share traditional and modern Andean music and culture. 6:30 p.m., Martin Chapel, 91���� Seminary Building.

Oct. 2 — David Berry Faculty Recital. Join Dr. David Berry, associate professor of music at 91����, for an evening of beloved piano tunes spanning the classical and jazz genres. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel, 91���� Seminary Building.

Oct. 3 — Suter Science Seminar: “From Plant Genes to Retinal Neurons: A Genomic Journey in Research and Teaching.” Ray Enke, professor of biology at James Madison University, provides a behind-the-scenes look at his winding path through the world of epigenetics. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Oct. 8 — Campus Worship: What is a Mennonite? In this 500th year of Anabaptism, some are pondering the question, “What is a Mennonite?” Join Troy Osborne, dean and associate professor of history and theological studies at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario, for updated perspectives on this theme drawn from his book, Radicals and Reformer: A Survey of Global Anabaptist History. 10:15 a.m., Martin Chapel, 91���� Seminary Building.

Oct. 8 — Keim History Lecture. Troy Osborne, dean and associate professor of history at Conrad Grebel University, will highlight key themes that appear in his recent Mennonite history text. The lecture will begin at 5 p.m., following a reception held in the upper level of Suter Science Center. 4:30 p.m., Suter Science Center 106. 

Oct. 10-12 — Homecoming 2025. Visit for a full listing of events. Various locations and times.

Oct. 10 — A Capella Celebration. Enjoy an evening of music with a special collaboration of local a capella groups. 7:30 p.m., Lehman Auditorium. Tickets are $10. Register in advance .

Oct. 11 — 91���� TenTalks. 91����’s three alumni award winners—visionary artist and futurist Fabrice Guerrier MA ’15 (conflict transformation), organizer Brittany Caine-Conley ’14, and leader Jess King ’96—will share their stories for 10 minutes each with a Q&A at the end. 1:30 p.m., Martin Chapel, 91���� Seminary Building.

Oct. 12 — The 91���� Chamber Singers performs at a Homecoming Worship Service. 10 a.m., Martin Chapel, 91���� Seminary Building.

Oct. 21 — Queer History Month keynote presentation: Chad Sager (aka Jayda Knight, Rhinestone Productions) and Chad Walters (IN2GR8ION). Join the co-creators behind two of the Valley’s most vibrant expressions of queer creativity and performance as they explore themes of identity, artistry, and community, as well as how drag and design can be powerful tools for storytelling, self-expression, and connection. 7:30 p.m., University Commons Student Union. 

Oct. 27 — Augsburger Lecture by Rev. Dr. Almeda Wright, associate professor of religious education at Yale Divinity School and author of Teaching to Live: Black Religion, Activist-Educators, and Radical Social Change (Oxford University Press, 2024). 7 p.m., MainStage Theater (University Commons 170). 

Oct. 28 — Sabbatical Spotlight and opening reception for Salt & Fury, a collection of paintings by Cyndi Gusler, professor of visual and communication arts at 91����. 4 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

Oct. 29 — Disability Awareness Month Convocation. Guest speaker Bailey Vincent, a deaf choreographer, dancer, director, and journalist whose art and advocacy invites us to reimagine access, storytelling, and belonging, serves as keynote speaker. 10:15 a.m., MainStage Theater (University Commons 170)

Oct. 30 — Student Recital I. The program includes a variety of pieces that music students have been working on in their private lessons. Bring a lunch and show your support. Halloween-themed reception to follow! 12:10-1 p.m., Lehman Auditorium. This event has been canceled.

November

Thanksgiving Break is between Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 30. Classes resume on Monday, Dec. 1. 

Nov. 7 — Gala Concert. The 91���� Music Department hosts its annual, ever-popular Gala Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Nov. 14 — Suter Science Seminar: “Life after Ice: Wildlife and Ecosystem Responses to Recent Glacier Loss in the High Tropical Andes.” Kelsey Reider, assistant professor of biology at James Madison University, will explore how tropical, high-elevation plant, microbe, and animal communities are responding to glacier loss, and the cascading effects of ice loss on downstream water resources. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Nov. 23 — Joint Choir Concert. 8 p.m., University Commons Student Union.

December

Final exams are from Tuesday, Dec. 9, to Friday, Dec. 12. Residence halls close for winter break at noon on Saturday, Dec. 13, and reopen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. 

Dec. 3 — Christmas Stories & Song. Come celebrate and share the stories and songs of Christmas with the Faith and Spiritual Life team, student readers, and Benjamin Bergey leading singing. 10:15 a.m., Martin Chapel, 91���� Seminary Building.

Dec. 4 — Student Recital II. Support 91���� music students as they perform in the second student recital of the semester. 12:10-1 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Dec. 5 — Christmas Concert. Come celebrate the holidays with the Music Department! Featuring performances by the 91���� Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, University Choir, and Chamber Singers, it’s sure to be an evening of joy and celebration. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Dec. 9 — Convocation: Intercultural Sharing. Students who spent the fall in the 91���� Washington Semester program will share their experiences. 10:15 a.m., University Commons Student Union.

Dec. 10 — Convocation: Student Recognition Ceremony. The campus community gathers to celebrate students for their accomplishments and achievements. 10:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

More information

Arts at 91���� To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at 91����, visit www.emu.edu/arts.

Center for Interfaith Engagement The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) at 91���� promotes collaboration among religious and nonreligious scholars and practitioners, provides education in our principles and practices, and creates a safe space for developing authentic relationships and mutual understanding both between and within communities. CIE partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world.

 Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit 91����’s campus to share their insights. Refreshments provided.

University Chapel A community gathering place for worship and forum, chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective alongside the gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith. Faith, hope and love are nurtured in the way of Jesus. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to gather every other Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for campus worship in Martin Chapel. A student-led song, prayer and worship service is held most Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). Podcasts available.

It might be the quietest spot on campus. 

91����’s new Astral Recording Studio, which opened this semester in the former Astral Hall building atop the 91���� Hill at 1304 Hillcrest Drive, has been precisely engineered with one goal in mind: providing the ultimate environment for recording and mixing audio. From its comprehensive acoustic treatment to its full suite of top-tier audio equipment, every square inch of the space is designed to help producers capture the sounds they want while eliminating the ones they don’t.

For starters, take the physical structure of the building itself. The studio, featuring a 175-square-foot control room and two isolation rooms measuring 81 and 83 square feet, sits on its own concrete slab, separate from the rest of the building to minimize vibrations. Inside its walls, a 4-inch air gap makes the space practically soundproof from outside noise.

“If there’s noise or rattling, you end up spending too much time editing it out,” Guerrero said. “We’re aiming to replicate the professional studio environments of Los Angeles and New York City to better prepare our students for work in those settings.”

Take a look inside the studio and it quickly becomes clear just how much thought went into creating the optimal environment. Acoustic panels on the walls and ceiling absorb the high and mid frequencies, while bass traps in the corners absorb the low ones. Thirteen speakers are positioned around the control room, all directed toward the center of the room, where a control surface allows producers to mix dozens of channels with precision. 

The control room is calibrated for Dolby Atmos 7.1.4, one of the highest standards in music production, which means that it has seven ear-level speakers, one subwoofer, four overhead speakers, and an additional subwoofer for bass management. Together, they create a three-dimensional sphere of sound that envelops the space. The studio can produce 3D audio, sometimes known as “spatial audio,” as well as binaural audio, delivering a more immersive listening experience than standard stereo.

“Not many studios near us have something like that,” Guerrero said. And almost none of them are open to members of the public, who can rent the 91���� studio by the hour.

Astral Recording Studio is open to 91���� students, faculty, staff, and community members for recording and mixing music, videos, podcasts, or any other audio projects. 
Learn more about the studio at .

Guerrero said students in his Introduction to Music Technology and Video Game Music and Culture classes this semester will use the space as a hands-on lab to collaborate on projects. The studio has already hosted a few successful recording sessions for local musicians, and reactions to the space have been overwhelmingly positive.

When he’s not playing with his jazz group around town, Thaddeus Jackson ’24 can be found operating his own home recording studio. “It’s kind of amazing that a university this small has a studio like this,” he said, while he shredded on a guitar at a recent open house. The vocal performance and guitar grad helped Guerrero assemble much of the equipment in the 91���� studio this summer, along with John Evans of Master Craft Construction and his apprentice, Kortney Bostic. 

The studio could also serve as a space for audio research projects, Guerrero said. That might include comparing different microphones or other technologies, or using the controlled environment to study how we perceive and process sound.

When he was hired on as faculty a little more than two years ago, Guerrero had two objectives: build a recording studio and eventually develop a music technology major at 91����. He said a number of music students over the years had expressed interest in recording their own music and exploring audio production, often mentioning the need for a studio. He credited an initial $95,000 donation from a generous couple, who have said they wish to remain anonymous, with kickstarting the project, as well as consistent support from 91���� administration and Music Program Director Dr. David Berry.

“The studio has been a dream in the making for many years now and it is wonderful to see it open its doors,” Berry said. 

“It’s an amazing space with lots of capabilities,” he added. “I’m excited about all the possibilities it represents by giving access to more students, staff, and members of the community the ability to make music in new ways and explore their passions.”

Guerrero said music technology programs, like the one he envisions creating at 91���� someday, have been shown to boost enrollment by appealing to students from nontraditional music backgrounds. “These are the students making beats at home or producing tracks, but who aren’t necessarily in marching band, orchestra, or choir,” he said. “If we can bring them in and help them see a future not just at 91����, but in a music career, I think the potential is huge.”

Now that the studio is finally open, Guerrero is excited to welcome people in. “Let’s collaborate,” he said. “Let’s work on something together.”

91���� the professor

Guerrero holds a PhD in music education from the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, N.Y.), a master’s in music technology from New York University, and a bachelor’s in drum set performance and contemporary writing and production from Berklee College of Music (Boston). While a college student, he worked at Apple stores in Boston and New York for three years, teaching workshops in GarageBand and Logic Pro. He previously taught at James Madison University and El Paso Community College in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.

He traces his interest in immersive audio back to the first time he watched Rush in Rio in 5.1 surround sound more than 20 years ago, and recalled attending an Audio Engineering Society conference at Dolby Labs in 2012, where he witnessed the first public performance of Dolby Atmos. “The sense of immersion was incredible,” he said.

91���� the space

Built in 1955, the terraced, one-room Astral Hall building next to the Vesper Heights Observatory hosted astronomy lectures and Astral Society meetings. Read more about the early days of the building here.

In the early 1970s, the building was renovated into a recording studio for WEMC, the 91���� student- and staff-run radio station that began broadcasting from Lehman Auditorium in 1954. Guerrero said the renovation set it up well for acoustic treatment, and some original features, including the windows and doors, remain in place today. “There were a lot of things that were done right in the design of this space,” he said.