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Steve Bell, a Canadian Christian singer/songwriter and longtime friend of �Ļ�ӰԺ, played with student musicians during the President’s Weekend (October 1-3), a time for donors to connect with leaders at the college. He performed twice, once on Friday night and then on Saturday night with some special guests: the string section of the �Ļ�ӰԺ Orchestra. Together, they serenaded the guests with beautiful music.

Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship and conductor of the �Ļ�ӰԺ Orchestra, began planning the event earlier in the year. He and Bell had hoped to collaborate again after the fall of 2019, when the �Ļ�ӰԺ College Choir — then under Shasberger’s direction — performed with Bell at an earlier President’s Weekend.

The 2021 concert included three of Bell’s original songs that he presented with the orchestra and a performance of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” by the orchestra alone. The guests responded with much applause and appreciation. “It was a beautiful setting,” Shasberger says. “Performing for a group of individuals who care so deeply about the mission of the college made it all the more special.”

Though the �Ļ�ӰԺ Orchestra had never played for the President’s Weekend before, they rose to the occasion. Isaac Siebelink, who performed a viola solo (originally written for violin) in Vivaldi’s “Winter” concerto, says, “I’ve had my fair share of stage fright, but that particular night I had no fear. I was playing music I loved with an ensemble and people that I gelled with. What more could I want?”