Photographers: Alia Munley ’14, Alex Pletcher ’14, and Hannah Bartel ’13
Goshen College Professor Emerita of Music Dr. Mary Oyer turned 90 years old this April. The GC Music Department and Music Center planned a weekend of events in honor of her extraordinary life and legacy. Read more about Mary here.
The celebration began on Friday, April 19, with a Goshen College Symphony Orchestra concert in the Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall. The weekend continued on Saturday, April 20, with a hymn sing, discussions on Oyer’s work in Africa and an African-themed dinner, culminating with an evening program with an address by Oyer, music by the GC Women’s World Music Choir, hymn singing led by Eastern Mennonite University Professor of Music Dr. Kenneth Nafziger (1963 Goshen College alumnus and former student of Oyer’s), and a performance by the Goshen College String Quartet.
A performance by the Goshen College Symphony Orchestra in honor of Mary OyerGC Professor of Music Debra Brubaker speaks during a performance by the Goshen College Symphony Orchestra in honor of Mary OyerA performance by the Goshen College Symphony Orchestra in honor of Mary OyerMary’s cakeAfrican Instruments, part of Mary Oyer’s collectionMary Oyer Saturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary Oyer, led by Dr. Debra BrubakerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary Oyer, led by Dr. Debra BrubakerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary Oyer, led by Dr. Debra BrubakerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary Oyer, led by Rebecca SloughSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerSaturday’s hymn sing with Mary OyerMary Oyer speaks about ethnomusicologyEthnomusicologist Roderic Knight demonstrates an African instrumentEthnomusicologist Roderic Knight discusses the history and cultural value of musical instruments in Africa Ethnomusicology discussion with Mary OyerEthnomusicologist Roderic Knight demonstrates an African instrumentEthnomusicologist Roderic Knight demonstrates an African instrumentEthnomusicologist Roderic Knight and Mary Oyer discuss the history and cultural value of African musicMary Oyer demonstrates an African instrumentMary Oyer demonstrates an African instrumentInteracting with an African musical instrumentInteracting with an African musical instrumentDeb Brubaker speaks to guestsA display of instruments from AfricaMary Oyer discusses the Mary Oyer African Music Project 2012 GC alumna Lisa Horst and Mary Oyer discuss the Mary Oyer African Music Project 2012 GC alumna Lisa Horst and Mary Oyer discuss the Mary Oyer African Music Project African-themed meal and programAfrican-themed meal and programAfrican-themed meal and programDeb Brubaker and Deb Kauffman, planners of the birthday celebrationAfrican-themed meal and programSunday Gabriel Mahaja ’15 speaks during the African-themed dinnerA student drum performanceA student dance performanceStudents and the president danceThe finale celebration programKenneth Nafziger during the finale celebration programKenneth Nafziger leads a hymn during the celebration programJosh Yoder ’13 performsThe Goshen College string quartet performs during the celebrationThe Women’s World Music Choir performs during the celebrationThe Women’s World Music Choir performs during the celebrationThe Women’s World Music Choir performs during the celebrationThe Women’s World Music Choir performs during the celebrationMary Oyer addresses guests Mary Oyer addresses guestsMary Oyer begins a hymn Mary Oyer leads a hymn
