Many of you have expressed a great deal of concern about the recent announcement that Grace College will soon be closing its School of Music. It is, of course, a very sad time for us, especially for the students and the faculty who are directly impacted - all of whom are scrambling to find productive situations for the coming year. I ask you to keep these marvelous musicians in your prayers.
At the same time, we are working hard to keep many other musical venues going for many years to come. Grace College is putting the final touches on a generous long-term contract to be offered to the MasterWorks Festival. Furthermore, I have met with a number of community leaders who are trying to assure that MasterWorks, the Symphony of the Lakes and the Second Sunday Series remain here in Winona Lake. Indeed, they are even looking at ways to bring new music events into our community. So I am hopeful that we can find the funds needed to continue the musical traditions that have made such a difference to this area, and I look forward to making several specific announcements soon.
I also want you to know that I have nothing but love, friendship and support for Grace College, its mission and its leadership. These tough times call for making tough decisions, and a music school anywhere is an expensive venture, no matter how it is run. A college, like a family, sometimes has to examine what they can and cannot afford, and this was the atmosphere in which these latest decisions were made. It is very important in times like these that we stand together in Christian love and fellowship.
Finally, I want to thank all of you for the wonderful support that has been given to all these musical endeavors. This is an amazing community, and I feel honored and privileged to be a part of it. Here's to many more years of great music!
