2026 Spring Concert: From Silence to Splendor
Maranatha Baptist University’s Spring Concert: “From Silence to Splendor” occurred on Friday, April 24. The school provided a concert of classical and sacred music featuring the Chamber Singers, the Madrigal Choir, the Symphonic Band, and the Chamber Strings. Under the direction of experienced faculty, the musicians delivered a powerful message of hope and encouragement.
“From Silence to Splendor” – The title implies that one cannot exist without the other. To experience the heights of splendor, one must see it in contrast to the depth of corresponding silence. Each piece of music performed by the ensembles demonstrated a specific aspect of this journey.
Chamber Strings
A handful of Band members joined the Chamber Strings to begin the concert with a performance of the first movement Haydn’s Symphony No. 45. Written during a time of uncertainty in Haydn’s life, the piece demonstrated the strings’ excellence as they played the furious arpeggios of Haydn’s masterpiece.
Concerto/Aria Competition Winner
Earlier this semester, Benton Ellis was announced as the winner of Maranatha’s annual Concerto/Aria competition. The story of the Erlkönig races with energy from start to finish. An ominous and threatening tale, the story lingers in the “silence” of the journey of the evening. Accompanied by Kaleb Lettau, Benton personified the three characters of Schubert’s story with convincing accuracy.
Symphonic Band
In contrast to the sinister impersonation from Benton, the Symphonic Band presented “The Crystal Fountain,” a beautiful setting of the timeless hymn “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.” However, the Band’s following piece was anything but relaxing. A ferocious presentation of the catastrophic effects of the explosions of 79 AD and 1944, the Band performed Frank Ticheli’s “Vesuvius.” Nearly 9 minutes long, this setting was near the highest end of difficulty within band literature, and the Band handled the setting with poise and power.
Combined Choirs
After a brief intermission, the combined choirs donned the stage to present four songs with an inspiring message.
“Cantate Domino” – Sing unto the Lord! From Psalm 96, the song is joyful and hopeful. “O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.”
Sophomore Mary Ann Lazzell stepped forward to share the moving message of Kim André Arneson’s “Even When He is Silent.” The poem was found after the Holocaust written on the walls of an underground shelter. Lazzell shares, “From one of the darkest and most awful chapters in the history of mankind” comes one of the brightest and most hopeful messages. From the silence of tragedy comes the splendor of hope in God:
“I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining.
“I believe in love even when I feel it not.
“I believe in God even when He is silent.”
The a cappella setting of this emotional text flowed into every corner of the gymnasium delivering the message that God is still there, even when it seems he is not.
In the first chapter of First Kings, Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon to be King. George Handel’s setting “Zadok the Priest” has been sung at every British coronation since 1727. The piece not only reminds the listener that God has established earthly authority, but reflects the splendor of an earthly coronation.
Because of the reminders of God’s authority, Christians have reason to clap their hands with joy and celebration. The final notes of the concert rang out the triumphant message of Psalms 47 and 57:
“Clap your hands, all ye people. Shout to God with a voice of triumph!
“Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: Let thy glory be over all the earth!”
Conclusion
Dr. David Brown, conductor of the combined choirs stated the final message of the concert. “God is the ultimate ruler over all earthly kings and kingdoms… That same God is still at work in our lives today, even in the middle of hardship.” The previous week brought a measure of hardship for Maranatha as the school mourned the passing of Chancellor and long-time President of the school, Dr. Marty Marriott. But even through the sting of death, the Spring Concert reminded listeners of God’s continued goodness and faithfulness. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and reigns supreme as our sure hope through the silence of life and on to eternal splendor!