Last weekend, Southern Nazarene University’s chorale went on its annual retreat at Salyer Lake. The weekend was not just about refining their musical talents for the Festival of Hymns but also about forging deeper connections among members. Through focused rehearsals, engaging team-building activities, and a reflective devotional, the retreat set the stage for a harmonious semester full of performances and collaboration.
This year’s chorale president, Gracee Rash, shared some of her favorite moments, highlighting a prank the choir pulled on Jim Graves, D.M.A., by singing a song in the style of Hugh Jackman during a rehearsal. She planned out team-building games that effectively connected the students and diversified interactions by showing different skills while ensuring inclusivity and enjoyment for all.
She recalled the devotional led by Ryleigh Rushing, saying, “It reinforced the theme that the collective purpose of our group and our performances is not about us as individuals but us as a group. We are sharing God’s word through this music and expressing gratitude for His actions.” As a senior, Rash is looking forward to cherishing her last performances and rehearsals with her friends, aiming to end her chorale experience on a high note.
Shelby Kinuthia also shared her thoughts on attending the chorale retreat for the first time. She recalled how fun it was to experience everyone’s competitive spirit, including her own. She mentioned the activities helped the choir connect by showing their personalities beyond music. Kinuthia also noted that rehearsing at Salyer Lake was very helpful for the choir, sharing that “It helped us find our tone as a group and allowed us to learn the music thoroughly by being secluded from the outside world for hours.” Having attended high school with some of the upperclassmen, Kinuthia added that she is most excited to be performing with people she has looked up to for a long time.
Overall, the chorale retreat proved to be a transformative experience for everyone involved. From the memorable competitions to the spiritual connections, each activity served a unique purpose in strengthening this choir’s bond and reinforcing its shared mission. As these chorale members move forward, the memories and lessons from this retreat will undoubtedly shape their performances and deepen their connection as a group, both on and off the stage.
Photo by: Brisa Lopez