It was exciting to be back in Colorado, with all it’s rugged beauty and wonderful climate! Loren Miller with New Horizons Ministries made arrangements for us to sing in several of the prisons we had in 2004, along with some we had never sang in. Once more we were encouraged by the inmates who lived with free hearts in spite of being in prison. Many other inmates, especially the young offenders, brought sadness to our hearts as we saw them living without hope in Jesus.
In July of 2005, Oasis Chorale headed west to sing in the prisons of Colorado, working through New Horizons Ministries, a ministry that provides foster childcare for children of incarcerated mothers. The Chorale met in Kokomo, IN for 2 1/2 days of intense rehearsal before beginning the long bus ride to Colorado. A short stop in Leon, IA, for an evening program and overnight stay broke up our journey.
Conductor: Wendell Nisly
Soprano I
Janelle Glick
Kendra Miller
Jeanene Nisly
Hosanna Raber
Soprano II
Lisa Fehr
Ginger Good
Lana Martin
Cristi Miller
Jennifer Willey
Alto I
Suzanne Good
Christina Kuhns
Susan Lapp
LaRonda Schrock
Brenda Stoltzfoos
Alto II
Brenda Kuhns
Edith Mast
Jenelle Miller
Rosita Schrock
Bettina Yoder
Bass I
Vincent Beiler
Tony Good
Vernon Kuhns
Maynard Swarey
Bass II
Dan Lapp
Gene Miller
Joe Miller
Jeremy Yoder
Tenor I
Wendell Glick
Wendel Hershberger
Dwight Stoltzfoos
Tenor II
Gabriel Jantzi
Mannie King
Jason Mast
James Swartz
The privilege of singing in the huge, resounding cathedrals of Ireland was a highlight of the trip! We enjoyed the opportunity to connect with our audiences through music, along with the interaction we had as we met people personally.
A few day trips, touring the West, must not be left un-chronicled. We rode to the top of Pike’s Peak and to the bottom of the Royal Gorge, took the plunge and swung out over the Royal Gorge, climbed rocks in the Garden of the Gods, and toured Focus on the Family’s headquarters.
We concluded the tour with two Sunday programs in Hutchinson, Kansas. It was a fitting end to a wonderful tour. We are grateful to God for letting us minister in this way to the prisoners of Colorado and other people who crossed our paths.
The chorale met in Kansas, which was in the thick of harvest. After rehearsing for a grueling day and a half, we drove to Colorado, but not before Wendell arranged for combine rides for the chorale members. The stark beauty of Colorado’s deserts and mountains greeted us in Westcliffe, where we shared a program with the Mennonite church.
Our evenings and some afternoons were given to sharing in song with the inmates at different prisons, we spent our mornings in workshops conducted by Wendell Nisly (conductor), Lyle Stutzman (assistant conductor), and Joe Miller. The subjects included: Philosophy of Music, Sight Singing, Pitch, Vocal Production, Rhythm, and Choral Conducting. All of these proved to be beneficial to the chorale, but perhaps the most controversial and thought-provoking workshop was Philosophy of Music. The concerts in prisons were eye-opening for many of the chorale members. It was saddening to see people, young and old, who had been incarcerated for years on end. Even more sad to witness were their countenances, worn by years of suffering, pain, and sin. What a privilege to bring the Good News to these souls, and to meet the Christians who also were behind bars!
In the summer of 2004, Oasis Chorale headed west to sing in the prisons of Colorado, working through New Horizons Ministries, a ministry that provides foster childcare for children of incarcerated mothers. Through NHM, we were able to gain access to prisons in and around Canon City that otherwise may not have been open to the Chorale.
Conductor: Wendell Nisly, KS
Soprano I
Brenda Hershberger, VA
Rosemary Miller, PA
Jeanene Nisly, KS
Soprano II
Melody Nisly, KS
Cynthia Yoser, VA
Karen Yoder, VA
Jennifer Willey, SC
Charlene Stoltzfoos, PA
Cristi Miller, KS
Alto I
Christina Gingerich, MO
Susan Lapp, PA
Brenda Petersheim, SC
Rose Stoltzfus, PA
Alto II
Brenda Kuhns, IL
Edith Mast, MO
Bettina Yoder, VA
Heather Yoder, GA
Tenor I
Wendel Hershberger, VA
Karlin Miller, PA
Dwight Stoltzfoos, PA
Tenor II
Mannie King, PA
Jason Mast, AR
Dwayne Stoltzfus, PA
Lyle Stutzman, KS
Bass I
Vincent Beiler, PA
Arlyn Kauffman, IA
Vernon Kuhns, IL (IN)
Maynard Swarey, GA
Bass II
Dan Lapp, PA
Gene Miller, KS
Joe Miller, VA
Jeremy Yoder, GA
In July of 2003, Oasis Chorale took their very first tour; to Ireland, England, and Wales! Dan Yoders and the Dunmore East Christian Fellowship served as our base in Ireland, and from there we traveled to various places for evening programs. Several times our journeys took us away overnight, nd we were privileged to stay in Irish homes and even patronized youth hostels several times.
Recording at Altar of Praise Studio in Lancaster, PA proved to be a stretching but good experience for our already weary bodies! We wrapped up our tour with four programs in Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Our itinerary included a short weekend jaunt to England and Wales via ferry, where we shared several programs and worshipped in a huge old cathedral on Sunday morning.
We were awed at the beauty of Ireland! A winding cliff walk hugged the rugged coastline overlooking the Irish sea near the Yoder’s, where heather, gorse, and wildflowers grew. The thick, soft grass made a perfect mattress to fall into! We reveled in the beauty as our schedule allowed, taking the cliff walk all the way into the little town of Dunmore East. While most of our evenings were given to singing, we did quite a bit of sightseeing as we traveled to various churches. Some of the highlights included Waterford Crystal, the Rock of Cashel, the Cliffs of Mohr, and the city of Dublin. The charming Irish accent and friendly faces, coupled with the beauty and incredible history, made our stay in Ireland a memorable one!
The Chorale arrived on July 31, groggy and tired after a long night time flight, preceded by two grueling days of rehearsal in Lancaster, PA. After a bit of sight seeing and a chance to catch a good night’s rest, we commenced to an all day rehearsal. That evening we gave our first program at the Dunmore East Christian Fellowship.
August 1 – Dunmore East Christian Fellowship, Dunmore East, Ireland
August 2 – Church of Ireland, Tramore, Ireland
August 3 – Church of Ireland, Cashel, Ireland
August 4 – Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cork, Ireland
August 5 – Limerick Baptist Church, Limerick, Ireland
August 6 – Church of Ireland, Armagh, Northern Ireland
August 7 – Crookstown Catholic Church, Crookstown, Ireland
August 8 – Church of Ireland, New Ross, Ireland
August 10 – Saint Mary’s Abbey, Aylesbury, England
August 11 – The Oasis Christian Centre, Dwygyfylchi, North Wales
August 12 – Maranatha Fellowship (Waterford College Chapel), Waterford, Ireland
August 13 – Return to USA
August 14 – Recording, Altar of Praise Studio, Leola, PA
August 15 – Faith Mennonite High School, Kinzers, PA
August 16 – Faith Mission Fellowship, Free Union, VA
August 17 – Calvary Mennonite Fellowship, Harrisonburg, VA
August 17 – Shippensburg Christian Fellowship, Shippensburg, PA
Conductor: Wendell Nisly, KS
Soprano
Brenda Hershberger, VA
Geraldine Lapp, PA
Jeanene Nisly, KS
Rosemary Zook, VA
Lana Martin, PA
Cynthia Yoder, VA
Karen Yoder, VA
Regina Yoder, Ireland
Alto
Christina Gingerich, MO
Susan Lapp, PA
Janet Martin, ONT
Brenda Petersheim, SC
Brenda Kuhns, IL
Edith Mast, MO
Joyce Miller, IA
Bettina Yoder, VA
Tenor
Karlin Miller, PA
Dwight Stoltzfoos, PA
Ryan Yoder, PA
Gabriel Jantzi, ONT
ason Mast, AR
Dwayne Stoltzfus, PA
Lyle Stutzman, KS
Bass
Vernon Kuhns, IL
Jotham Yoder, VA
Randall Yoder, VA
Peter Zehr, OR
Bradlyn Martin, PA
Michael Mast, AR
Joe Miller, VA
Trell Miller, IN
Jonathan Yoder, Ireland