
Sunflower Performing Arts at Hesston College makes a new start
It hasn’t been an easy year for a lot of folks. And the performing arts have had an especially hard time. When you make your livelihood with your body and your breath, and when your audience has traditionally gathered in confined, close quarters to hear and see you, finding ways to entertain others while keeping […]

Bel Canto Singers to present socially distanced block concert on October 18
Bel Canto Singers, the top vocal group at Hesston College, will present a socially distanced block concert in the Mullet Drive parking lot on October 18 at 4 p.m. The public is invited. The concert will feature solos, small group performances, and choral works featuring a variety of musical genres. Attendees are invited to bring […]

Hesston College Theatre to present Charlotte’s Web
The Hesston College Theatre department will five performances of Charlotte’s Web, a dramatization by Joseph Robinette based on the book by E.B. White. The show is directed by theatre professor Celaine Worden. Performances will take place at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains Sept. 23 to 27 with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday shows staring at 6 […]

What I learned from Carla Lahey
Carla Lahey (left) directs the Touring Theatre Company as they prepare for a performance at Newton High School. In recent years, the Hesston College Horizon student publication has recognized departing faculty members by inviting students and employees to reflect on the impact these professors have made on their lives. With the COVID-19 campus dispersal in […]

Summer Theatre Camp to be offered in social distancing-appropriate format for 2020
With health and safety at the forefront of consideration, Hesston College made the decision to cancel its summer theatre camp event for area young aspiring actors and tech crew in the format it has known for several years. As an alternative, a musical theatre learning program will be offered in a social distancing-appropriate one-on-one format […]

Traditional Irish sounds set to close out HBPA season
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts will present the final concert in the 2019-20 season with Irish quintet Goitse at 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 9, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus. The name Goitse – pronounced “Go-wit-cha” – is an informal Gaelic Irish greeting that means “come here.” The group […]

A theatre season of literature gears up for a fairytale musical
Hesston College Theatre Director Rachel Jantzi always sets her lineup of shows around a theme, which for the 2019-20 season is literature. “All of this year’s shows are based off of books,” said Jantzi. After a fall play that featured the drama The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Jantzi and her cast […]

Choirs to combine in historical display of vocal excellence
When neighboring colleges Hesston College and Bethel College – both of whom have long histories of outstanding choirs – collaborated for a joint concert a year ago, concertgoers raved about the quality and experience for days. The colleges are bringing their choirs together for a second year on Sunday, February 23, at 7 p.m. at […]

The Queen’s Cartoonists perform for the eyes, ears and funny bone
You might think a group calling itself the Queen’s Cartoonists would be British – and you’d be wrong. The six members of the ensemble are actually from Queens, New York, which is just the first taste of the plays on words, puns and general hilarity the QC bring to the concert hall. Cartoons, however – […]

“Still, Small Voice” music and theatre performance to portray the gentle side of Christmas
Hesston College will celebrate the Christmas season with a performance combining music and theatre in “Still, Small Voice,” at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at Hesston Mennonite Church. The performance is free and open to the public. “‘Still, Small Voice’ is meant to remind us to stop and be intentional in enjoying the serenity and […]

Holiday performance to feature a returning HBPA favorite
A returning Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts (HBPA) group, The Swingles, will present the series’ annual holiday performance with their “Winter Tales” program at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus. The Swingles are HBPA’s only repeat performer in the 2019-20 season, first taking the series stage for the 2015-16 […]
Keyboard Festival will feature Baroque music from performers across age ranges
Piano and organ students ranging from elementary- to college-age will learn from accomplished musicians and compete in Hesston College’s second keyboard festival and competition on Saturday, Nov. 23. In celebration of great composers like Handel, Vivaldi and Bach, the festival will focus on the Baroque period of music that ranged from the early 1600’s to […]

Andover Organ Series opens fourth season with French organist
Hesston College is pleased to announce the opening concert of the Andover Organ Series fourth season on Monday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church. French organist Pierre Queval will perform the recital. The concert is free and open to the public. The Andover Organ Series features concerts by organists from around the […]

Masterworks concert weaves music, story and art in a program for all ages
Hesston College choirs will be joined by vocalists from the community and professional orchestra for Hesston College’s annual masterworks performance on Saturday, November 16 at Hesston Mennonite Church. The 2019 concert features “Song of Wisdom” from Old Turtle, a choral and orchestra setting that combines narration and music. A family program especially suited to children […]

A smooth and stylish sound set to take HBPA stage with all female group
Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts (HBPA) will host the “warm, lithe and beautifully blended” sound (New York Times) of the all female a cappella group Lorelei Ensemble at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7 at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus. With bold programming and expertise spanning early to contemporary music, Lorelei is sure to please […]