Bethany College Welcomes 400+ Young Men To Real Men Sing Vocal Workshop

Jan 27, 2023

On Jan. 26, 2023, Bethany College hosted Real Men Sing, a vocal workshop for grades 5-12. During this one-day event, over 400 young men from 34 different schools across Kansas gathered to study music with professionals.


Mark Lucas, Associate Professor of Music at Bethany College, organized the workshop with Greg Bontrager, Buhler High School's vocal music teacher; Nicholas Griggs, McPherson High School's vocal teacher; Paul Neal, Associate Professor of Music at Berry College; and Alex Underwood, Hays High School choir teacher.


Bontrager expressed, "This event is an important part of our young men's journey in life. It shows how a group of guys can get together, not to compete, but to sing! They come for the social aspect of the day or the great food at Bethany's cafeteria and return home excited that they could participate in something that made them feel good about themselves."


The High School Choir, conducted by Neal, performed "Leave Her Johnny," arranged by Daniel Lynch, and "Tuba," arranged by Michael Marrett. The Changing Voices Choir, conducted by Bontrager and Griggs, sang "Vive L'Amour," arranged by Bobby Siltman, and "Wade in the Water," arranged by Dan Davidson. The Unchanged Voice Choir, conducted by Underwood, sang "Pie Jesu" by Mary Lynn Lightfoot and "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers, arranged by Robert T. Gibson. To conclude the workshop, all choirs sang "God Bless America." Check out the live-stream of these performances →


"Real Men Sing is an empowering day for the young men in my vocal program," says Sonya Battin, Vocal Music Director for Chaparral Junior & Senior High School. 


Accompanists for the event included Daniel Masterson, Professor of Music; Tyler Boehmer, Visiting Associate Professor of Music; Brenda Finch; and Glenna Balsick.


Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a as community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who walk alongside them they discover, explore, and navigate the path to their purpose. Bethany College is online at bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state. 

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