The Biannual
"Same Spirit New Song" Retreat

Welcome!

Join other Mennonite and local musicians to sing together, make new friends, explore our musical heritage, learn new music and worship ideas, and experience worship with Denver area Mennonite congregations.

Music

Our music this year will focus on the theme “Gloria!”  “Gloria in excelsis deo et in terra pax,” contains two supporting tenets of Anabaptist/Protestant development of faith - glory to our Creator and peace to all.  For stewards of the Mennonite faith, the Gloria enhances the message of praising God and maintaining peace in a distraught and confused world.  We will explore the mass “Gloria,” its development through music history, and its transition into the current doxology.  Musical selections include pieces by Vivaldi, Haydn, Schubert, Gounod, and Thompson, plus some hymns.

Guest Conductor

Conductor and tenor Ron Garber is an instructor in music at Butler County (Kansas) Community College.  From 1997 to 2006 he was the director of the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus; in 2003 he became the musical director/conductor of the Newton Chorale.  Garber received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethel College and his Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Wichita State University.  His academic honors include being accepted as a student conductor in the University of Oregon’s Summer Festival under the direction of Helmuth Rilling from Stuttgart, Germany.  Verlene Garber, Ron’s wife, will be our accompanist for the weekend.

Registration

Please send in your registration form and deposit as soon as possible – deadline for forms is June 5.  Registration fee is $65 before June 5, and $75 after that date.  Registration fees cover three meals, snacks, music, and administrative costs.  Click here for registration brochure.

Schedule

Friday, June 25 ^th  

6:00pm - 6:45pm Registration and Snacks

7:00pm - 9:00pm Rehearsal

Saturday, June 26 ^th

7:30am – 8:00am Morning prayers

8:00am – 8:45am Breakfast

8:45am– Noon Rehearsal and Time with Ron Garber

Noon - 1:00pm Lunch

1:00pm – 5:00pm Rehearsal and Time with Rob Garber

Evening Open. 

Sunday, June 27 ^th

8:30am – 9:30am Rehearsal

*10:00am – 11:30am Worship Service

11:45 am Lunch and Evaluation

*Events open to the public