Inspire, Fall 1996

Remember those days when you "hit the hardwood" as a Yellow Jacket basketball player? Or when you stood in the stands as a spirited fan and cheered the Jackets to victory? Prepare for Yellow Jacket Fever to strike the campus of Cedarville College and plan now to be a part of Alumni Basketball Weekend— January 31 & February 1, 1997. Watch your mail in early January for more details on this annual event. Throughout the summer,the Cedarville College Athletic Center is filled with young people eager to develop their skills in a variety of sports. In 1996,the college offered boys'and girls' basketball camps, varsity basketball team camp,soccer camp, boys'and girls' cross country camps,and girls' volleyball camp. Each camp featured skills instruction, game competition, and spiritual emphasis. Almost 700 boys and girls participated, many of them children of Cedarville alumni. Bill Burleson '79N, who assisted during boys' basketball camp,enjoyed sharing the week with his 11-year-old son, Will. Stephen Estep,a junior piano pedagogy major from Beavercreek, Ohio competed in the 16th International Bartok-Kabalevsky Piano Competition at the University of Radford in Virginia. Pianists from around the world compete at this event, playing 10 to 15 minute selections by composers Bela Bartok or Dimitri Kabalevsky. Estep was the first Cedarville College student to compete at this prestigious event in ten years. According to Estep, who did not place in the competition,the event provided a greater confidence in his abilities as a pianist. He looks forward to next year's competition and is already practicing many hours as he prepares. The English teaching ministry that Cedarville College has sponsored in China for the past ten years continues to be highly regarded by authorities in Beijing. In April 1996, Don Callan '84H, Pat Dixon '94H, and Dwayne Frank'60 traveled to China to negotiate future teaching contracts. Next year, seven Cedarville graduates will teach English, American culture, business, and communication classes at two universities. Twenty-nine graduates have been teachers in Cedarville's program, including many who have remained in China with other programs. Myron Youngman '76 and Diane Lichtensteiger'86 have been especially recognized by university authorities for their expertise and commitment to working with Chinese students. Over 150 Cedarville College students have been involved in China ministries since the first MIS team visited China in 1980. 4FALL'96 Military Musicians ,A Although Second Lieutenant Daniel Price'84 and Airman First Class Michael Leshan '94 graduated from Cedarville College a decade apart, their desire to pursue full-time careers ' in music led them to similar destinations in — the United States Air Force. After graduating from Cedarville with a marketing major and music minor, Mike's search for a full-time performance career led him to audition with the Air Force Band of Liberty. In October 1995,he packed his trombone and shipped offto Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts,home to approximately 70Air Force Band musicians. Airman Leshan now travels throughout the New England states with both the concert and jazz bands, playing 40-45 concerts each year. Mike appreciates the experience he had at Cedarville noting,"Many of my fellow musicians attended big name schools like Julliard, but they didn't get the opportunity to play in front of their whole student body. Cedarville gave me the opportunity to start my own group,Carpe Diem,and play before 2,000 people in chapel." 1984 graduate Dan Price was drawn to the Air Force after completing his doctoral course work at the College- Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and holding a variety of teaching and directing positions. While directing the orchestra at Fairhaven Church in Dayton,Dan learned of an opportunity in the Air Force's choral career field. In August 1995,Lieutenant Price became the eleventh director ofThe Singing Sergeants,a mixed choir and the official chorus ofthe Air Force. Stationed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington,D.C.,the ensemble has made appearances before the vice president of the United States and the Air Force chief of staff. Like Mike,Dan appreciated the many opportunities available at Cedarville."I was able to perform, arrange,and conduct—opportunities that larger schools reserve for graduate students." He also attributes Dr. Charles Ellington's encouragement and Dr. Lyle Anderson's love for choral music as major influences in his successful career. Michael Leshan '94 Daniel Price '84 Striving To Bea Lead Worshiper ay LeBlanc's voice projects enthusiasm as he describes his ministry at Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert,Ohio:"What a unique ministry to be called an occupation!"A 1994 music major with an emphasis in church music,Jay has completed one year as minister of music and worship at the nondenominational church which averages 600 in attendance. When Jay entered Cedarville College in the fall of 1990,he planned to graduate with a degree in Bible and seek a senior pastorate. But during voice lessons with Dr. Charles Ellington,long-time Cedarville vocal professor, he was encouraged to focus more intently on developing the musical abilities God had given him.The option ofcontinuing seminary education and accepting a pastorate would remain open should the Lord so lead. Extracurricular activities and ministry opportunities at Cedarville College allowed Jay to hone his musical abilities and improve his skills with people. Jay cites three years on Kingsmen Quartet as one of his most beneficial college experiences."Besides learning flexibility and leadership skills, traveling on a team taught me the value of being close to God on a daily basis. To have an effective ministry, you must know the One you're worshiping." Following graduation in 1994,Jay chose to do a nine-month internship at Bethesda Baptist Church in Brownsburg, Jay and his wife,Shannon, have been married one year and recently purchased a home in Van Wert, Ohio. ppp Indiana. Assisting the minister of music,he was exposed to orchestration and seasonal musical productions. Jay relates, "It was exciting to see music used not only as a tool for worship,but for evangelization in the community as well." In his current position at Calvary Evangelical Church,Jay directs a60-member choir and several mixed ensembles. He also coordinates a praise band and the children's musical program.In addition to the many spiritual rewards,Jay says hisjob can be a great deal offun. During the 1995 Christmas production,choir members pulled styrofoam balls from their robes and snowballed him. Jay remembers,"The snowballs came at an appropriate time in the program, but it was quite a surprise!" Jay is content to remain at Calvary Evangelical Church until the Lord leads elsewhere. He summarizes his goals for the ministry which God has given him by sharing a quote:"We are not to strive to become effective worship leaders, but to become lead worshipers." Teachers ofMusicians 0 ver the summer,Dr. Lyle Anderson'70 cleared out his office in Ambassador Hall, which he occupied for the past 26 years as a professor of music at Cedarville College. His new quarters are in the music department wing of The Ministry Center. Over the years, Lyle has helped prepare musicians for ministry, performance,and for teaching other musicians."It's especially gratifying to see students follow you in your profession," he says. Besides teaching music theory and choral methods("which I dearly love"), he directed first the Choralaires,then the Concert Chorale,and four years ago, started the Men's Glee Club, all of which have toured domestically,and the Chorale,internationally. His wife,Connie(Clark '73),earned a master's degree in keyboard pedagogy,a growing major which she directs at Cedarville College. She is especially gifted to inspire future teachers of piano and to instill a sense of professional awareness. Connie has studied with international performers to develop her own skills. An important period of their lives was when the Lord opened doors for Lyle,Connie,and their children,Eric '96 and Lori(a senior at Cedarville), to spend several summers on international music ministry tours as a family. The first opportunity came when the children were six and five years of age. Their itineraries called for them to present Christian concerts in churches,schools,shopping malls, rest homes, and wherever else the Lord provided access. Their testimonies opened doors for follow-up by missionaries and national pastors. They ministered in Australia, twice in Brazil, England, China,and throughout the United States. The family accompanied the Concert Chorale on two tours to the Czech Republic. The Anderson Family "These ministries broadened our perception of missions and cross-cultural music ministry," says Lyle."The experiences gave us tremendous memories and also allowed us to see the spirit and the heartbeat ofa multitude of churches." Lyle is involved in choral and worship workshops for churches. Connie evaluates competencies of other piano teachers, as well as students. She has written Keyboard Companion,a pedagogy book for students of piano. "It is always rewarding to be out in the local churches and see former students doing productive things in music for the Lord—that's what keeps me in teaching," Lyle grins. 1