MESSIAH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN
November 18, 2019
LINDSBORG, KAN., November 6, 2019 – The Messiah Festival of the Arts proudly announces the major concert events in Lindsborg and theme for its 2020 season. This year’s Festival theme is “Messiah 2020: Celebrating Women in the Arts.” This ten-day festival of art, music, and theatre, will seek to feature the role of women in the arts, and the impact women have had on the Messiah Festival through the years.
Dr. Mark Lucas, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Bethany Oratorio Society, hopes that audiences and performers will experience and embrace the idea of community at the Festival. Events like the Soloists’ Recital, featuring the music of women composers, the Jazz Walk, and various endeavors in the visual arts and theatre, along-side the traditional Holy Week performances of Bach’s “Passion According to St. Matthew,” and Handel’s “Messiah,” are about bringing people together in new and in time-honored ways.
“I’ve often been told that our performances of Bach and Handel’s masterworks are bucket-list items, not to be missed,” said Dr. Lucas, Artistic Director of the Festival. “I hope people take the time to peruse our full schedule of events at www.messiahfestival.org to see that there are many other exciting events, many of which are free of charge.”
How can you become part of the chorus and orchestra?
“I want to stress that all are invited to sing Handel’s ‘Messiah,’” said Dr. Lucas. “Rehearsals begin Sunday, January 26 at 3 p.m. in Presser Hall. New singers should arrive at 2:00 p.m. for a brief vocal hearing. Rehearsals for “Messiah” follow each Sunday at 3 pm and rehearsals for Bach’s “Passion according to St. Matthew” take place each Tuesday evening from 7-9 pm in Presser Hall on Bethany’s campus. Those wishing to only sing ‘Messiah’ may attend Sunday only rehearsals. Those who wish to sing the Bach are required to also sing “Messiah.” I would love to see more people join us.” Those wishing to play in the orchestra for either performance are encouraged to contact Prof. Lori McKinney, mckinneylr@bethanylb.edu.
Highlights
Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Passion according to St. Matthew are two important parts of this 139th Annual Festival. But, there are many other exciting events taking place. The Bethany Theatre and Music Departments will collaborate on a performance of “Little Women: The Broadway Musical,” and the Bethany Department of Art will again host its Messiah Juried Student Art Exhibition. This year’s festival will again include a Jazz Walk in downtown Lindsborg in collaboration with the Lindsborg Landmark Concert Series. Additionally, the professional soloists hired to perform the two oratorios will present a special solo recital featuring the music of women composers. Many other events are free and open to the public.
For a full schedule of events, and for ticket information please visit www.messiahfestival.org. Tickets will be available for purchase on January 2, 2020, and all ticketing information can be found out www.messiahfestival.org. For specific questions, please contact Taylor Deutscher, Messiah Coordinator at 785-227-3380 ext. 8237 or at deutscherta@bethanylb.edu.
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. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
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Dr. Mark Lucas, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Bethany Oratorio Society, hopes that audiences and performers will experience and embrace the idea of community at the Festival. Events like the Soloists’ Recital, featuring the music of women composers, the Jazz Walk, and various endeavors in the visual arts and theatre, along-side the traditional Holy Week performances of Bach’s “Passion According to St. Matthew,” and Handel’s “Messiah,” are about bringing people together in new and in time-honored ways.
“I’ve often been told that our performances of Bach and Handel’s masterworks are bucket-list items, not to be missed,” said Dr. Lucas, Artistic Director of the Festival. “I hope people take the time to peruse our full schedule of events at www.messiahfestival.org to see that there are many other exciting events, many of which are free of charge.”
How can you become part of the chorus and orchestra?
“I want to stress that all are invited to sing Handel’s ‘Messiah,’” said Dr. Lucas. “Rehearsals begin Sunday, January 26 at 3 p.m. in Presser Hall. New singers should arrive at 2:00 p.m. for a brief vocal hearing. Rehearsals for “Messiah” follow each Sunday at 3 pm and rehearsals for Bach’s “Passion according to St. Matthew” take place each Tuesday evening from 7-9 pm in Presser Hall on Bethany’s campus. Those wishing to only sing ‘Messiah’ may attend Sunday only rehearsals. Those who wish to sing the Bach are required to also sing “Messiah.” I would love to see more people join us.” Those wishing to play in the orchestra for either performance are encouraged to contact Prof. Lori McKinney, mckinneylr@bethanylb.edu.
Highlights
Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Passion according to St. Matthew are two important parts of this 139th Annual Festival. But, there are many other exciting events taking place. The Bethany Theatre and Music Departments will collaborate on a performance of “Little Women: The Broadway Musical,” and the Bethany Department of Art will again host its Messiah Juried Student Art Exhibition. This year’s festival will again include a Jazz Walk in downtown Lindsborg in collaboration with the Lindsborg Landmark Concert Series. Additionally, the professional soloists hired to perform the two oratorios will present a special solo recital featuring the music of women composers. Many other events are free and open to the public.
For a full schedule of events, and for ticket information please visit www.messiahfestival.org. Tickets will be available for purchase on January 2, 2020, and all ticketing information can be found out www.messiahfestival.org. For specific questions, please contact Taylor Deutscher, Messiah Coordinator at 785-227-3380 ext. 8237 or at deutscherta@bethanylb.edu.
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. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
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Grant Provides Critical Resources to Enhance the Student Experience and Institutional Growth
Lindsborg, Kan. – Bethany College is proud to announce the 2026 Hall of Honor award recipients, recognizing eight individuals whose achievements and service have made a lasting impact on Swede Athletics. "The Athletics Hall of Honor celebrates those who exemplify excellence, leadership, and commitment in sport,” shared Laura Moreno, Dean of Athletics. The 2026 class embodies those attributes and much more. From memorable performances in five different sports, to remarkable coaching careers in nearby communities, to local business owners who support our current Swedes students and staff, this entire group has elevated our programs and department and embodied the very best of our institution. We look forward to honoring and celebrating their extraordinary achievements this October.” The annual Bethany College Hall of Honor Award Ceremony celebrates former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters whose excellence, leadership, and dedication have shaped Bethany College athletics. This year's honorees include four Hall of Honor inductees, two Coach of the Year recipients, and two Bethany Athletic Association (BAA) Award of Merit recipients. Bethany College Hall of Honor award winners include: • Sven Delin, a 2001 graduate, was a captain of the golf team that won four consecutive conference championships, leading to four national championship appearances. He won the conference tournament individually...twice! Delin was also a four-year all-conference academic athlete. • Vinny Butka, a 1982 graduate, was a three-time KCAC shot put champion, District 10 indoor shot put champion in 1981, ACCK champion in 1980 and 1982, three-time outdoor national qualifier, and ranks second in Bethany College history for shot put distance. • Tim Leaf, awarded posthumously, a 1981 graduate, was the KCAC Individual Champion in cross country in 1979 and 1980. In 1979, Leaf was the lead runner on Bethany College’s only KCAC championship team. He placed 33rd in the national cross country meet and remains the highest finishing individual in Bethany College history. In track, Leaf won the 1980 5,000-meter race and set the current school record with a time of 15:18.64. • Amy (Yonally) Wilson, a 1999 graduate, was a dual-sport athlete playing softball and volleyball. In volleyball, she was named to an all-conference volleyball team. In softball, Wilson was a four-time all-conference softball player, all-region softball award winner, and made the All-American Farm Team. Bethany College Coach of the Year award winners include: • Kent Teeter, a 1987 graduate, has had many successes over the last 39 years from his time at Hays High School and his current position at Holcomb High School. While coaching football, Teeter has won two state championships and four league titles. He has also been named the Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year twice, KFBCA Coach of the Year in 2015, and KFBCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024. Along with coaching football, Teeter has also been successful in coaching track and field as he led his Holcomb boys' teams to three consecutive state titles (looking to make it four next year), seven league titles (currently on a four-year streak), and six top three finishes in the state track meet. He has coached over 25 different individual state titles in track and field as well. • Greg Maxwell, a 1997 graduate, coaches both volleyball and girls' basketball at Ellinwood High School. In volleyball, he has over 230 career wins and won the 2025 2A State Championship with a perfect 47-0 record. In girls' basketball, Maxwell led his team to the 2026 2A State Championship, finishing as the runner-up. These were the first ever state tournament wins for Ellinwood who were also the Central Prairie League champions. Maxwell holds a 2A state runner up finish in girls' golf as well. Bethany Athletic Association Award of Merit award winners include: • Danielle (DuMars) Greene and Spencer Greene. Danielle, a 2013 graduate, and her husband have made an immediate impact on Bethany College Athletics. They are a host family for Women’s Basketball, providing numerous meals for the team as well. The Greenes are also the owners of the Ol’ Stuga which hosts the Coaches Radio Show and is a valued partner for both Athletics and Bethany College as a whole. • Brandi Swenson, owner of the Crown & Rye, has also hosted the Coaches Radio Show while also hosting many Swedes Athletics celebrations and playoff sendoff events. In addition, Crown and Rye provided food for the 2026 All Swede Awards, the annual Athletic Department celebration for all teams and student-athletes. The Crown & Rye is a valued partner of Bethany College Athletics. All recipients will be honored during a special ceremony during Homecoming/Inauguration Weekend on Sunday, October 25. About Bethany College Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) is a higher educational institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. Bethany College was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For more than 140 years, Bethany College has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany College, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. CONTACT: Christie Denniston, APR Vice President of Strategic Engagement 303-827-5164 Bethany College 335 East Swensson Street Lindsborg, KS 67456
Recipients Embody the Spirit of Bethany Through Lifelong Service, Generosity, Leadership, and Advocacy
