One director, five choirs
Gene Peterson has been making big changes in Bethel University’s choral department.
By Elizabeth Grodahl | Royal Report
Gene Peterson walks to a decorated podium covered in ornate garland, twinkling lights and ornaments. He stands facing 114 orchestra, wind symphony and handbell instrumentalists. Outside Benson Great Hall, 121 choral singers wait to begin singing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” A congregation of 1,400 to 1,500 people behind him are ready to ring in the Christmas season as soon as he raises his baton.
After stepping into the position of director of choral activities at Bethel University last fall, Peterson directs Bethel Choir, Women’s Choir, Men’s Choir, Festival Choir and has established a new Chapel Choir. He hand-picks all choral music for each of the choirs, coordinates all the rehearsal times and conducts all choirs.
Peterson has not always been interested in music. He originally attended the University of Southern California to study business. However, after finding a passion for conducting at his local church’s choir, Peterson admits that God had shown him a different plan for his life. So, he decided to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s in music performance and conducting. Later, he attended the University of Washington in Seattle to earn his doctorate in musical arts and choral conducting.
The job description for Bethel’s director of choral activities is someone with educational experience, national connections, strong recruiting skills, commitment to the music and worship, and above all has a firm faith in Christ.
Peterson has acquired national as well as international connections. Along with his job at Bethel, he travels with Perform International as an artistic director and conductor. He has traveled to countries all around Europe, Asia, South America and throughout the United States. He hopes to travel with the choirs he conducts.
Dennis Port, Bethel’s former director of choral activites, said, “Each director tends to stick with what’s been done first year, then shakes it up their second year.”
“We count on non-music majors in our groups. Without them, we would not have a choir or a band.”–Mark Rhoads, professor of music.
Peterson’s main focus is to make adjustments to the choral department in an effort to recruit more students into choir. Currently, 196 students make up choral and band, but more than 80 percent of them are non-music majors.
“We count on non-music majors in our groups. Without them, we would not have a choir or a band,” said Mark Rhoads, professor of music.
Peterson mentioned that his focus on building the choral community comes from wanting to break the stereotype that choir is an elite club. In reality, it’s an open community that anyone with a passion for music and praising the Lord can join.
To exemplify the desired togetherness, Peterson started Chapel Choir in an attempt to invite more Bethel students into the open, choral community. Chapel Choir is an audition-free group that meets two hours a week as opposed to three hours a week like audition choirs. It is a “low commitment” choir compared to all the others.
“[Dr. Peterson] has a good plan for the future and he just needs time to draw it out.”–Joseph Merboth, former Bethel Choir baritone.
As Bethel’s first non-Bethel graduate in a director position, Peterson has had to adjust to the Bethel culture and traditions. However, the music department has also had to adjust to Peterson’s changes and creative freedom.
Jonathan Veenker, music department chair, said, “[The adjusting was] not difficult, just different. We were looking for someone to do something different.”
Peterson encourages his students to find creativity in each song, line and pitch they sing, so they can reflect creativity to everyone listening. He believes music is a form of intentional communication from the created to the Creator.
“My biggest reward is seeing what the Lord is doing in the singers, [and] watching them sing with their hearts, minds and souls.”–Dr. Peterson.
Peterson brings the choir to a forte on the last “Gloria” of “Angels We Have Heard on High.” He brings everyone home with one grand swipe of his right arm and slowly lowers his hands. The stage lights gently fade to black and the sound of roaring applause fills Benson Great Hall. Peterson, along with three co-conductors make one final motion toward the standing congregation. He smiles, waves and wishes the congregation a “merry Christmas,” before walking off stage.
Timeline of Festival of Christmas
SOURCES: Jonathan Veenker and Kevin Shull | Graphic by CeCe Gaines
Dr. Peterson’s Festival checklist
- Picking choral music
- Coordinating times and schedules for rehearsals
- Picking narrations
- Festival planning committee meeting in June
- Choosing selections for Festival CD
SOURCE: Dr. Gene Peterson
