By this time during the semester, the students at Northland International University eagerly welcome any break from their intense studies. The Fine Arts Department offered a reprieve toward the lighter side on Thursday evening, April 22, with the annual Concert in the Park—well, actually, in the gym.
Dr. Dana Everson and the orchestra members, consisting of mostly students and some staff and faculty alike, have been practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays during forty-five minute rehearsals to prepare the music selections for this concert, an opportunity to pull together their talents and abilities to be a blessing to others. They played everything from a classical piece, “The Marriage of Figuaro,” to a family classic, “Barnum and Bailey’s Circus.”
Lisa Matthew, a student who plays the viola in the orchestra, said of the concert, “This has been my second year participating in the Concert in the Park. It is always so much fun because we are exposed to a variety of musical styles. My favorite part of this year’s concert was definitely “Barnum and Bailey’s Circus,” especially when Dr. Goyak, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Hayhurst came out to do their circus acts. It is always fun to see what surprises Dr. Everson has planned for the event; the orchestra is usually just as surprised as the crowd. Large crowds are always encouraging, and we had a great turnout this year!”
As mentioned, some faculty and staff members seized the opportunity to “clown-around” a bit with some unexpected juggling and unicycle riding during the circus song. Dr. Everson, in his amiable and creative style, had many hats “up his sleeve”—not only his top hat but also sombreros to capture the mood of the Spanish song, “El Relicario.” With crowded bleachers as evidence, everyone—students, faculty and staff, and young children—enjoyed the humor sprinkled in throughout this event and, of course, the fantastic music.
On the more serious side, the Fine Arts Department honored Mrs. Jan Bennett in a special way for her twenty-seven years of faithful service as the Fine Arts office manager. Mrs. Bennett was presented with flowers and a card as well as a pencil portrait of the couple drawn by an alumnus. Current students, faculty and staff, and numerous alumni are grateful for the Bennett family’s faithful service to the Lord for so many years at Northland. Dr. and Mrs. Doug Bennett will be retiring after this year and moving to Taylors, South Carolina, where they are sure by God’s grace to continue blessing the lives of others.