Celli!

The Anabaptist Orchestra's cello section 

 

The 2025 Anabaptist Orchestra

We had a delightful weekend together, and we are already looking forward to next year.

Livestream link: 2024 Anabaptist Orchestra

Photo by Double Vision: Faith and Fonda Showalter 

The Anabaptist Orchestra 2024 Livestream Link

 We spent a delightful weekend with the Anabaptist Orchestra which included lots of beautiful music and an Italian dinner party.  Here is the livestream link.  

The Plain Professors: Hello, Cello!

 We love our cello section. Applications are still being accepted, but there are only TWO WEEKS LEFT to sign up: https://www.orchestracamp.info/enroll/. Registration closes July 15th.

P.S. It really should be "Hello, Celli" (plural), but it didn't rhyme, and "Jelly Celli" just didn't sit right.

Photos by Double Vision -- Faith and Fonda Showalter 

The Anabaptist Orchestra: Registration Opens TODAY ! ! ! ! !

Registration Opens Today!

August 8-11th in Holmes County, Ohio

Sign up here: https://www.orchestracamp.info/

Videography by Franklin Miller,

Promo video by Martin's Snapshots

2023 Anabaptist Orchestra Live Stream Link

The program is over, but the live stream link will be available for a short time at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx7ewJMqkto&ab_channel=AnabaptistOrchestra

Photo credits:  Franklin Miller 

 

Violins Are Great!

The program is this Sunday, August 13th, at 3:30 at Dover High School Auditorium, Dover, OH.

Photo credits:  Double Vision -- Faith and Fonda Showalter

 

FIVE. MORE. DAYS ! ! ! ! !

 

And what would an orchestra be without violins?

Dover High School Auditorium 3:30 Sunday, Aug. 13th.

520 N Walnut St, Dover, OH 44622

Instrument Petting Zoo opens at 2:30. Come see and hear the instruments up close.

The dress rehearsal is open to the public as well. It is Saturday evening, August 12th at Legacy Christian High School at 7:00.

2772 Simons Dr NW, Sugarcreek, OH 44681

Photo credit Double Vision -- Faith and Fonda Showalter

The Anabaptist Orchestra - Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2, Finale

The 2022 Anabatist Orchestra videos were just released.  Click on the link below to hear the Anabaptist Orhestra playing Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2, Finale, arranged by Sandra Dackow.

The Brass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

 

Registration is currently open for the 2023 Anabaptist Orchestra which will meet in Holmes County, Ohio, on August. 10-13th.

Enroll here: https://www.orchestracamp.info/enroll/

All photos by Double Vision - Faith and Fonda Showalter

The Anabaptist Orchestra's Instrument Petting Zoo

     The Anabaptist Orchestra focuses on two aspects:  giving Anabaptist instrumentalists the opportunity to fellowship and make beautiful music together, and education.  There are no auditions.  We invite everyone who is able to play the level of music chosen to come and play. We also care about introducing children to the amazing world of different sounds that God created by offering an instrument petting zoo at our programs.  This gives children an opportunity to not only hear, but to play the instruments themselves.  We plan to offer this again in 2023, so please bring children along to the program and let them experience this wonderful opportunity themselves on Sunday, Aug. 13th,  at the Dover High School Auditorium in Dover, Ohio.

Photo credits:  Double Vision --Faith and Fonda Showalter

Meet Our Conductors

    Lyle Stutzman and Jeff Swanson are the beloved conductors of the Anabaptist Orchestra.  And I do mean beloved.  Whether keeping us together and in tune, serving us a meal, or making us laugh with their funny stories, we highly value, appreciate, and enjoy these two men.  

Photos by Double Vision -- Faith and Fonda Showalter

Oboe and Bassoon: The Double Reed Instruments

The oboe and bassoon are played by blowing into a double reed. They both have a beautiful sound and tone. The oboe plays higher notes, while the bassoon can play very low notes. They add a beautiful, rich sound to the orchestra.  

Photos by Double Vision - Faith and Fonda Showalter

 

The 2022 Anabaptist Orchestra Program Livestream

 We just spent four lovely days playing some beautiful music. This was the orchestra's tenth anniversary, by the way.  Enjoy.

2022 Anabaptist Orchestra Livestream Link

Hark! I Hear the Harps Eternal (and the Piano)

While I'm enjoying my TWELVE DAYS OFF, I'm also catching up on a few things, like organizing my whole house (thanks, Mary) and working on a new post for the Anabaptist Orchestra.  These pictures, taken by Faith and Fonda Showalter, were too good not to share here as well.  
  
This post was on the last instruments of the string family, the piano and harp.
This week we are busy picking music for the 10th Anniversary of the Anabaptist Orchestra next August.  Yay!
  

Do You Know What It Means to Be a Second Violin?

The second violins are a vital part of an orchestra.  They usually play in harmony with the first violins, a sort of "altoish" part if you will. 




Led by section leader Sarah Sommers (who usually doesn't dress this way), the second violins add a festive touch to the orchestra.  Sarah is also on the orchestra planning committee and chooses much of the music.