Singing Quakers celebrate 100 years with anniversary concert

Wichita, KS- The Friends University Singing Quakers celebrated their 100 anniversary this past weekend. The occasion was marked with a Singing Quakers Alumni reunion and two special concerts, including the current choir, the Singing Quakers Alumni choir, and over 300 reserved tickets. Joined by the choirs were previous directors Dr. Cecil Riney and Dr. Mark Bartel, along with current director Dr. Rayvon T.J. Moore and Eric Stone, director of the Singing Quakers Alumni Choir.

Held in the newly renovated Riney Fine Arts building, the choirs performed songs from across many reservoirs of music and cultures, including commissioned pieces by Joseph Martin and Stacey V. Gibbs. The university experienced overwhelming engagement and support, with both the Saturday and Sunday concerts selling out.

Nearly 200 Singing Quakers alumni traveled in for the special anniversary. Nine decades were represented in the event, the oldest alumni being 102 years old. Due to high demand, the new Chapel in the Riney Fine Arts Center was opened to accommodate additional guests, who were able to view the livestream of the concerts, making this one of the largest Singing Quakers gatherings in the university's history.

"I think what makes this institution and this ensemble so unique is that we strive for excellence in all that we do and all that is to glorify God. It's a ministry, and a transformational process from the very beginning until the students graduate, where you can really see them grow," Dr. Moore said in a KMUW art segment about the choir.

If you missed the weekend performances, you can catch the Singing Quakers Christmas Candlelight Concert on December 7 and 8. Visit friends.edu/finearts for more information.

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Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/