Archives: News Stories

Nov 29, 2018

L-R: Reginald L. Sanders, Don O. Franklin, Mark Peters

In honor of his mentor, Trinity’s professor of music and department chair Mark Peters, Ph.D., has co-edited a collection of essays on J. S. Bach’s sacred vocal music, as well as contributing a chapter.

Peters said he edited the book, Compositional Choices and Meaning in the Vocal Music of J. S. Bach, with his friend Reginald L. Sanders, professor of music at Kenyon College, as a way to honor his dissertation advisor, Don O. Franklin, emeritus professor of music at the University of Pittsburgh and a past president of the American Bach Society.

“It was fun to work with Reggie on this project,” Peters said, “and we’re thankful for the work each of the authors put into it.”

The 17 essays in the book explore Bach’s vocal compositions, including his Passions, Masses, Magnificat, and cantatas, with a particular emphasis on broader cultural, social, historical, theological, and musical trends at the time. Peters’s chapter is titled “Death to Life, Sorrow to Joy: Martin Luther’s Theology of the Cross and J. S. Bach’s Eastertide Cantata Ihr werdet weinen und heulen (BWV 103).” The book, published by Lexington, is part of the series “Contextual Bach Studies,” edited by Robin A. Leaver.

The process of getting the book published was a lengthy one that involved working with authors from around the globe, said Peters, who finished final edits during his sabbatical in Indonesia earlier this year. “It was a busy sabbatical,” said Peters with a laugh.

The book is divided into four parts: Bach’s Vocal Music in Theological Context; Analytical Perspectives; Bach’s Self Modeling: Parody as Compositional Impetus; and The Reception of Bach’s Vocal Works. “This helped to shape the book as a unifying volume,” he said.

Peters and Sanders divided editing duties, and each translated a chapter from German to English, as well as co-writing the preface.

While Bach is his primary area of study, Peters has a range of musical interests. Earlier this year, he authored the chapter “U2 and the Art of Being Human,” in U2 and the Religious Impulse: Take Me Higher, edited by Scott Calhoun.

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Trinity joyfully celebrates the recent publication of four books by members of our community.

During a gathering in the Vermeer Fireside Room on Nov. 27, Professor of Communication Arts Craig Mattson; B.A./M.Div. Mentor and Recruiter Jonathan Brooks; Assistant Professor of History Kyle Dieleman; and Professor of Music Mark Peters discussed their research, key insights from their books, and the process of publishing.

Those books are:

The students enrolled in Trinity’s SPED 420 Critical Issues in Special Education class have been working on a project to promote safety for students with disabilities this semester.

“Partnering with Elim Christian Services, we are creating a curriculum they can use for teaching animal safety while ensuring that the resources are age-appropriate for adults,” said Associate Professor Sara Baillie, Ed.D.

The class has recently visited local spots to videotape the expectations of interacting with various animals: from approaching a dog on a path, to caged animals at Lake Katherine in Palos Heights, Ill., to handling farm animals at The Children’s Farm at the Center in Palos Park, Ill.

Trinity alumnus and soon-to-be-published author David D. De Jong ex ’73 recently gave a reading on campus from his novel in progress. The book tells a fictionalized story based on the life of De Jong’s autistic son. The event, on Nov. 19, was sponsored by the Special Education and English Departments.

“Trinity changed my life, quite literally, in the best possible way,” De Jong told the audience who gathered in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre. “What I learned here shaped my life and continues to do so.”

De Jong, a physician and medical malpractice lawyer, has spent the last 10 years working with faculty in the writing programs at Northwestern University and at the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop.

The novel tells the story of Socrates, a man with autism who has lived with his parents all his life. Socrates loves trains, and the excerpt that De Jong read told the story of Socrates’ journey on the Metra Rock Island train through his old neighborhood in Beverly.

Professor of English Michael Vander Weele, Ph.D., provided the introduction.

In light of weather conditions in the larger Chicagoland area,  classes will start at 11 am, Monday, November 26, 2018.

By that time, according to the weather sources, the snow will have ended and the plows will have had time to clear the major highways and roads sufficiently for safe travel.

College offices will be open prior to 11 a.m. as staff are able to safely arrive on campus.  Staff should use their best judgment to arrive on campus this morning; if they can safely get to campus prior to 11 a.m., please do so.

If weather conditions warrant a change in this schedule, we will notify the Trinity community of those changes via email and the emergency text service.  (Those signed up for the text service should have received one this morning.) Also, the College’s social media accounts will provide updates as well.

Be safe!

Football isn’t the only sport to follow this time of year! Both the women’s volleyball and soccer teams are competing in national tournaments the week after Thanksgiving.

The women’s volleyball team will compete in the 39th Annual NAIA National Volleyball Championship in Sioux City, Iowa. The Lady Trolls will be competing in pool play against Missouri Baptist University; Hastings College; and Ottawa University. This marks the second final site national tournament appearance for the Trolls, who also qualified in 2013.

Trinity’s pool play schedule is:
–Nov. 27 (Tuesday) – vs Missouri Baptist at 9 am (CST)
–Nov. 28 (Wednesday) – vs Hastings at 12 pm (CST)
–Nov. 29 (Thursday) – vs Ottawa at 10 am (CST)

The Trolls advanced to the NAIA National Championship Final with a win over Bellevue University (Nebraska) in the Opening Round on Nov. 17.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the single-elimination bracket starting on Nov. 30. The championship match will take place on Dec. 1 at 7 pm. For a complete list of the pool play teams and schedule, click here.

The women’s soccer team will be making their national tournament appearance at the NCCAA DI Women’s Soccer National Championship at Austin-Tindall Soccer Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. They will be take on Columbia International University; Campbellsville University; and Ottawa University Arizona in pool play.

The pool play schedule is:

–Nov. 26 (Monday) — vs Columbia International at 11 am (CST)

–Nov. 27 (Tuesday) – vs Campbellsville at 11 am (CST)

–Nov. 29 (Thursday) — vs Ottawa at 11 am (CST)

Click here for more information about the tournament.

The Trolls won their spot in the national tournament by claiming the NCCAA Region Championship title in a 1-0 overtime victory against Trinity International University on Nov. 17.

Assistant Professor of History Kyle Dieleman, Ph.D., recently spoke at a conference in the Netherlands which explored the impact of the Synod of Dordt. According to Dieleman, the conference began on Nov. 14, 400 years to the day when the Synod of Dordt first convened.

Dieleman spoke on “Education and Sabbath observance in Dutch Reformed churches.” He said, “The presentation generated lots of good questions and discussions.”

The conference, “The International Synod of Dordt (1618-1619): Contents, Contexts, and Effects, 17th–21st Centuries,” took place in Dordrecht, Netherlands and drew an international audience.

According to conference organizers, “The Synod of Dordrecht was held in 1618 and 1619 on the authority of the States-General of the Dutch Republic to resolve a conflict within the Reformed Church in the Netherlands about the doctrine of predestination that had arisen at Leiden’s theological faculty in 1602. At the same time, the synod was to re-establish the unity of the young state of the United Provinces in a crucial stage of the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), part of the broader confrontation between Catholic and Protestant powers in Europe since the Reformation.”

The Synod led to the Canons of Dort, the Church Order of Dort, and the States Bible, and it deeply affected religious life, theological tradition, and cultural identity in the Netherlands and its overseas territories. “The 400th anniversary of Synod in 2018 and 2019 is a welcome opportunity to revisit its historical significance as well as its actual standing, both in an academic, multidisciplinary, and transconfessional way,” organizers said.

Looking for the perfect gifts for your favorite Trolls? Don’t forget to shop the Black Friday Sale at the Trinity Bookstore!

From Wednesday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 25, you can take 25% off your Trinity imprinted items.  From sweatshirts to license plate frames, you can find just what you’re looking to put under the tree on Christmas morning.

Check out the Bookstore website for more information and to see the selection of great items.

Over the years, Trinity has been blessed to develop strong ties to Indonesia, including a Memorandum of Understanding with South-East Asia Bible Seminary Malang, known as Seminari Alkitab Asia Tenggara (SAAT), which Trinity President Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D., and SAAT President Martus Adinugraha Maleachi, Ph.D., signed in May.

In a forum on Nov. 15, faculty, staff, and a student shared their recent experiences in the Southeast Asian nation. Throughout the presentations, speakers repeatedly mentioned the role of Trinity’s Professor of Theology Yudha Thianto, Ph.D., a native of Indonesia, who has faithfully nurtured and expanded these ties.

Dr. Bill Van Groningen, Trinity’s Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Formation, and his wife Connie Van Groningen, Administrative Coordinator for the Nursing Department, discussed the 10 days they spent in Indonesia doing service work and speaking engagements in May and June this year. “It’s a very welcoming place, and Indonesians are so very accommodating,” said Connie. Said Pastor Bill, “God is doing good work there.”

Next, Hannah Slager ’21 spoke about the month she spent in Indonesia over the summer. During her time there, she taught English and science in two elementary schools. One was very affluent and Westernized, while the other was rural with fewer resources. While there, Slager realized the importance of flexibility. She began her teaching without knowing anything about her students, amid constantly shifting schedules. “The students were so eager to learn and so generous and hospitable,” said Slager.

Jeanine Mozie, Trinity’s Director of Admissions Operations, then discussed her trip to Indonesia this month. “In 10 days, I visited eight schools in two cities and presented to well over 700 students,” she said. Mozie also spent time with the families of several current Trinity students.

Professor of Music Mark Peters, Ph.D., also spoke about his sabbatical in Indonesia during the spring of 2018, where he served as visiting professor at SAAT.

“It all began in 2016, when Yudha asked if I would like to go to Indonesia,” said Peters.  Peters went for a short trip that year, and began laying the groundwork for his sabbatical then.

Peters also shared parts of a presentation that his children prepared about their own experiences in Indonesia. Peters reflected on his time teaching four courses at SAAT and the relationships the family forged at Wesley International School where his wife, Candace, who serves as staff accompanist for Trinity’s Music Department, taught. He also described his time teaching at SAAT Ministry Center in Jakarta and attending church at Malang English Service, as well as lecturing in North Sumatra.

“There is a strong relationship between Trinity and SAAT,” said Peters. “SAAT is a special place.”

The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), in residence at Trinity Christian College, continues its 41st year of bringing beautiful music to the Southland with its upcoming program “Chamber Gems: A Musical Journey” on Saturday, Nov. 17.

Maestro Stilian Kirov leads the orchestra into a musical journey throughout the night. The night begins in England with Elgar’s Serenade, to the Czech Republic with Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto in E-flat, then to Norway with Grieg’s Holberg Suite. The jewel in the crown is Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by Bulgarian guest soloists Nadejda Tzanova, piano and Peter Makedonski, trumpet.

Kirov expressed excitement for this upcoming program, “This is a concert that involves mainly strings, but it is also fascinating to witness the unlimited orchestral colors the composers were able to create through their musical genius,” he said. “It is really a program of mostly exciting discoveries that I am sure our audiences will love.”

The concert will feature two prominent and internationally award winning Bulgarian guest soloists Nadejda Tzanova, piano and Peter Makedonski, trumpet.

Tzanova has been awarded over 20 prizes and honors including: “Hopes, Talents, and Masters” in Albania; “Zeiler” in Greece; and “Valentino Buki” in Italy, just to name a few. Makedonski is a laureate of numerous competitions including National Competiton for Singers and Instrumentalists, Young Musical Talents, Ohrid Pearls, and many more.

Kirov said, “They bring first of all a fantastic program with Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto and Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto. They bring their outstanding artistry and exciting music making. Their duo has been named Ensemble of the Year in Bulgaria. They are prize-winners of many competitions, received many awards, and are truly extraordinary artists.”

Kirov, who also hails from Bulgaria, describes the personal connection he has to one of the soloists. “Peter Makedonski and I go way back as we went to the same music high school in Bulgaria. I believe we even played few times in the school orchestra together, so this adds another very personal exciting aspect as well.”

The upcoming concert has something that all music lovers alike can enjoy. “We have music by some great romantic composers, like Greig and Elgar, but also some more ‘edgy’ pieces like Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, as well as, some music of the more distant past like Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto, which is very much in the classical style. I am very much looking forward to this exciting evening,” Kirov said.

Concert single tickets start at $27 in advance. Student tickets are $10, and group tickets are available with a minimum of seven patrons. Ticketing fees may apply. New subscriber rates of up to 40% off are still available for 3, 4, 5 or all 6 concert packages.