To help celebrate Lancaster Bible College’s 90th anniversary of “educating Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ in the Church and society,” the Music, Worship & Performing Arts Department will host a full weekend of music festivities this spring.
“90 Years of Musical Excellence: A Weekend Celebration” on April 12-14, 2024, will celebrate God’s faithfulness through many years of music at LBC. The events of the weekend will put the God-given talents of current music students on display as well as welcome back former department chairs, faculty, staff and alumni to LBC.
As the college has celebrated 90 years throughout the 2023-24 academic year, LBC has focused on being “Rooted in the Past | Preparing in the Present | Building for the Future.” The vision for the music celebration seeks to do the same, as the concerts will highlight the past, present and future of music at LBC.
Rachel (Rineer ’02) Sidebothom conducts the LBC concert band made up of students, alumni and friends.
“Our ultimate desire is to bring honor and glory to the Lord as we celebrate His faithfulness!” said weekend organizer Rachel (Rineer ’02) Sidebothom, Associate Chair of the Music, Worship & Performing Arts Department and Director of Music Education Studies. “Over the past 90 years, LBC has developed skillful and passionate musicians who are using their gifts all over the world. As an alumna and now a professor, I am looking forward having friends from my years at LBC, as well as former students and colleagues, come back to join with our current students to celebrate our musical heritage.”
The weekend celebration will include four free concerts that are open to the entire campus and community:
Friday, April 12, 2024—7 p.m.
A Contemporary Collective Concert featuring alumni and faculty in Good Shepherd Chapel [901 Eden Road, Lancaster] will be organized by alumnus and Adjunct Professor Jake Huber (’20). The concert will feature alumni who serve as worship leaders, singer-songwriters and professional musicians performing genres including classic rock, fusion, folk and more.
Saturday, April 13, 2024—3 p.m.
The LBC Chorale & Ensemble Concert at the Trust Performing Arts Center [37 N. Market St., Lancaster] will highlight voices and music in the incredible acoustics of the Grand Hall.
Saturday, April 13, 2024—7 p.m.
An LBC Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band & Ensemble Concert in Good Shepherd Chapel will again share the talents of the college’s current music students.
Sunday, April 14, 2024—4 p.m.
The Alumni Choir & Orchestra Concert in Good Shepherd Chapel will feature a full orchestra, choir and other ensembles consisting of Lancaster Bible College alumni from across the decades glorifying God along with current students.
For this concert, Dr. Bruce Gerlach, a part-time professor for MWPA, was commissioned to compose a new piece for the LBC String Orchestra. The piece, titled “Hope,” is a work that incorporates the hymn tunes from “My Hope Is in the Lord,” “The Solid Rock” and “Hyfrydol.” About four minutes in length and conducted by Director of Instrumental Studies Doris Hall-Gulati, the style is of “Hope” is “concert modern,” meaning that it has modern and traditional elements to keep it interesting and accessible.
Registration has closed for alumni and friends to sign up to be a part of the weekend’s festivities. However, those still interested may contact music@lbc.edu for information on remaining open spots. All four concerts are free, but those wishing to attend should reserve tickets at lbc.edu/events.