Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE – Community Arts Program of Kosciusko County will present the Fall Choral Fest performance titled “Requiem of Hope” on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Rodeheaver Auditorium in Winona Lake.
The program will feature performances by members of Vocal Vision, Vocal Vibes, the Grace College Lancer Chorus, Manchester University Singers and the Symphony of the Lakes Orchestra.
The program begins with several choral songs of challenge, hope and inspiration, according to a provided news release. The program concludes with all singers combined to perform "Requiem for the Living" by Dan Forrest. Soloists Cassandra Petrie, mezzo soprano, and Jordan Fredericks, tenor, are featured in the Requiem.
The Community Arts Program welcomes guest conductor Dr. Pearl Shangkuan from Grand Rapids, Mich., to lead the Fall Choral Fest Singers. Shangkuan is a renowned choral conductor who leads and instructs choral groups worldwide.
“The program Requiem of Hope is meant to bring a message of rest and hope to the weary,” stated Dr. Ardis Faber, director of the Vocal Vision groups. “We hope the music will renew your spirit and bring encouragement, joy and peace in difficult times.”
Tickets are on sale now by visiting the Community Arts Program website at www.capwarsaw.com. Adult tickets are $15, students and senior adults are $12. Children 5 and under attend free with paid adult tickets.
If you have questions, contact the Community Arts Program at info@capwarsaw.com
Shangkuan is a highly sought-after conductor, lecturer and clinician who has led performances and workshops across six continents. Director of choral activities and professor of music at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, she is also the chorus director of the Grand Rapids Symphony, a Grammy-nominated professional orchestra. Recently appointed as the editor of Hinshaw music, Shangkuan also has a signature choral series with Earthsongs Choral Music, and is the music editor of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship choral series published by GIA. In 2014, she made her Carnegie Hall conducting debut and served as a guest lecturer at the World Symposium for Choral Music held in Seoul, South Korea.
Petrie is a voice instructor at Grace College and Theological Seminary, and is the choir director at Manchester University, where she also instructs voice. She frequently sings opera, musical theater and oratorio. Some of her operatic repertoire includes Elvira in Don Giovanni (2025), Dorabella in Cosí fan tutte (2024), Mrs. Patrick De Rocher in Dead Man Walking (2024), Hansel in Hansel and Gretel (2024). She will soon travel to San Diego to be part of San Diego Opera's production of Carmen and is looking forward to making her debut with Opera Today! in Fort Wayne.
Fredericks is a native of Warsaw. He was involved in the arts throughout Warsaw during grade school, including Wagon Wheel Theatre, voice, piano and violin lessons from local teachers, church worship and Warsaw Community High School's choir, theatre, studio arts and orchestra. In 2019, he received his BM in Composition from Cedarville University with minors in Biblical studies, music technology and theatre arts. After graduating from college, he taught at Wawasee High School as the choir director, applied music teacher and musical director for two years. He went on to receive his MM in Composition from Ball State University in 2024. He was then hired to teach music theory and aural skills courses as an adjunct professor the year after he graduated. For the last five years, he has also been a local private instructor for piano, voice and composition.
