After a performance season that never got started a year ago due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Hillcrest Academy Touring Choir is ready to bring their music to area audiences. The choir’s show entitled, the Greatness of God, is based on Psalm 29. Choir Director Shawn Sandersfield discussed the process of putting together a show, and the specifics surrounding The Greatness of God program. “The title of our show is ‘The Greatness of God’. We have had some tremendous help from Danielle Bridges, a graduate student at the University of Iowa. She comes to Hillcrest a couple of days a week. She has picked fantastic literature. When we put a program together we want to cover many different styles and time periods.” 

Hillcrest Academy students, seniors Ivanna Ebersole and Jacob Smith-Dierksen and junior Rebecca Farrier talked with KCII news about their passion for music, excitement in resuming performances for a live audience, and their favorite pieces in the show. “I enjoy it because you can produce something with a group that you can’t just do by  yourself. The opportunity to make that art and be a part of that art is really special. Our favorite is Dies Irae, our Latin piece that we will be performing. My favorite part of performing for an audience is when we do something that is cool or interesting vocally and we can see their reaction.”

Pieces included in the program are The Gift to Sing by Rollo Dilworth, Dies Irae by Ryan Main, Salvation is Created by Pavel Tschesnokoff and Ascribe to the Lord by Rosephayne Powell. The next shows for the choir include the Regional Choir Festival at Hillcrest Academy April 1st and 2nd, a performance at Faith Academy in Iowa City April 22nd, shows at Kalona First Mennonite Church and East Union Mennonite Church April 24th, Wayland Mennonite Church Sunday, May 1st and the Hillcrest Academy Spring Concert May 15th.