Thiel Choir 70th Reunion

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful concert! Below is a special message from Brianne Samson and a recording of the July 8, 2023 event.

See photos from the event on flickr!

Thiel Choir Testimonials

Susan (Chaney) Peck '88

Being a part of The Thiel Choir was such a unique experience. It was a respite outside of my major, a release and joy to be a part of.

I never had to worry about what I was doing for Spring Break! Never thought I would learn so many sleeping positions on a bus. The personal skills and confidence learned from staying in guest homes every night on tour gave me such an insight into so many lives and cultures. From experiencing singing for the Latvian and Estonian Church in Canada to the monastery in Germany where we performed as vespers. This experience was like non-other and I cherish it with all my heart. The lifelong friends I have made not just from the years I was in school, but from the alumnae who sang in other years. It is a tight knit family that I feel privileged to be a part of.

Eric Dahl ’75 and Sue Ann (Littell) Dahl ’75

The Choir was our life at Thiel. Eric and I met on Reformation Sunday, 1976 at a lunch after the choir had sung in a morning service. He pulled out a chair to help my friend sit down at the table. I was impressed. Eric had a difficult time arriving on time for rehearsals. There were many occasions where he is climbed up outside Roth hall and entered through a window to sing. We missed the European tour because we got married. It's been 48 years, two children and two grandchildren later.

Michael McCullough ’87

Joining Thiel Choir opened up a whole new set of friends for me in my own year and in the years above me. The spring break trips to Canada and Florida were very fun, but the best was touring Europe with 40 of my closest friends! Priceless!

Annie (Camp) LeMar ’12

Being in the choir was a profound experience for me. It was a space for growth in my musical talents, and where my talent was fostered and encouraged by the most amazing musical director I have ever had. Dr. Bray pushed me (in a good way) to perform as a soloist and helped me to gain confidence to share my voice with others, not only musically, but also personally and professionally. The love and support that he and Mama Bray had for each and every member of the choir, created a beautiful haven for all of us. We were also especially blessed with an amazing accompanist in having Kay Gray with us. I will forever cherish my four years in the Thiel College Choir, the tours, the friendships, the adventures and the tie that bound us all together, beautiful music.

Jason Thomas '12

Being part of the Thiel Choir is something that I am proud of for many reasons. First, because no matter what else was going on outside the doors of the LHR (and in later years, the David Johnson Memorial Chapel), the rehearsal room remained a safe place for reflection and beautiful harmonies. Upon my return to Thiel after an extended break, only a handful of people who knew me when I returned. Dr. Bray was of them which meant a lot since, during my sabbatical I still rehearsed choir songs in my attic (the acoustics were better there). Last, but certainly not least is the realization that I am now one of the alumni folks that get to sing "Beautiful Savior" and "May God Bless & Keep You." When alumni from decades past would join us on stage, the endings of both songs were so much more powerful that it gave me chills. I was a bit shortsighted as to why. Now as an alumnus myself, I believe that power came from the pride and reverence from their time spent in the Thiel Choir program. I can't wait to get chills again. See you all there!

Cheryl (Marshall) Bundy ‘14

When I came to Thiel I knew I’d be challenged academically, but I had no idea when I was accepted into the Choir that I would vocally be challenged and grow year after year. Dr Bray has an absolute gift I am incredibly grateful I was able to experience first-hand through the Choir, Chamber Singers, Choral competitions, handbells and private lessons. Being in the choir, I’ve obtained lifelong friendships, memories and forever songs stuck in my head. I’ve learned to push my vocal limits to new heights and have expanded my vocal repertoire substantially while at Thiel. I’m looking forward to singing with old and new friends, making memories, reliving old ones, learning new music and sharing our passions of singing together once again.

Jessica (Raybuck) Gahr '08

Being in Thiel's choir and enrolled in the music minor program with Dr. Bray has impacted my life in more ways than I knew it would when I attended college from 2004-2008. Throughout my years of teaching, I have had the opportunity to conduct a high school handbell choir, several elementary music programs and a classroom musical. During my time at college Dr. Bray referred me to local community members to teach piano lessons to. Little did I know, later in life I would own and operate my own piano studio for over a decade. Performing in Thiel's choir gave me the confidence to join a local band where I sing and play the keyboard. Dr. Bray and the Thiel choir helped mold me both personally and professionally. I am looking forward to reconnecting with old college friends and singing with the choir again!

Sam Sesti ‘18

Having sung in choir since 4th grade before coming to Thiel, singing in the Thiel Choir gave me the gift of still be able to sing during my college experience. Being able to go on the Summer 2017 Thiel Choir Ireland tour with Dr. Bray will forever be one of my most treasured memories. To my fellow Thiel Choir alumni members: "May God bless and keep you, 'till we meet again".

Brianna Walkup '18

Thiel’s Choir gave the opportunity to continue my passion in music, as well as giving my day a bit of structure. It has also helped me in my career as a funeral director, as my mental music library was greatly expanded in the choir. My favorite memories include our tour of Ireland, eating Big Macs, and becoming friends with Kay Gray, the pianist. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with old friends!

Jody (Lee) Roess '89

I was originally going to go to Gannon. A Thiel rep came to my house and talked about the choir. I was hooked. I made some great life friends in choir. I still find myself singing songs from my years there.

Regis Wagner '13

The Thiel Choir helped me appreciate the sounds of voices coming together to create instruments of heavenly sound. The Thiel choir gave me the opportunity drive across the United States seeing sites and making memories that would last a life time. Lastly the Thiel Choir gifted me with friendships I cherish, and established my relationship with one of my most important lifelong mentors.

Donna Greenwood Brewster ’66

Friendships, discipline and joy have followed the rest of my life. Thanks to all who made it possible.

Erika Jones ’02

The Thiel Choir gave me the opportunity to continue my appreciation for music. Like most first-year students, I was looking for something familiar and comforting during my freshman year. I found that stepping into S-200 gave me that feeling during a pivotal time in my life, and I am so grateful for it. I am looking forward to making music with this group once again.

Ray Wick ’62

When I sang in the Thiel Choir I often wondered how we sounded from the audience perspective. It was difficult to get a feeling for the sounds when you are in the mix and not out in the audience. I really could not get a true flavor of the sounds being produced while being a part of the mix. However, I felt like we were producing angelic sounds when we sang at the National Cathedral in DC and at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh. In those facilities, the acoustics brought the sounds back to all of us in a way that is hard to explain, but it just sounded angelic to me. I hope the choir listens to their performance afterwards via the streaming made available by Thiel, since that is when it will be most appreciated by the choir members in my opinion. I hope all of the members enjoy this experience as much as I had hoped too but can't at this time.

God bless all of you.

Jen Swartz ’07

My time in the Thiel Choir is my favorite memory from college. It impacted my life in many ways. I have lifelong friendships from people all over the United States. Choir gave me lifetime memories from choir tour that I still talk about today, especially from my freshman year and being able to travel across to Scandinavia. I always looked forward to choir class because I was able to let go of all of my stress. I’m most looking forward to being with my college family! Dr. Bray always made sure we were a family and treated us as such.

Barb Euwer Spiri '76

I was one of the few music majors at Thiel as well as the last group to graduate with a music degree in 1976. I taught music in Penn Hills for 28 years and began a community choir, The Eastern Area Youth Chorale, which I patterned after the Thiel Choir. There are three groups - a training group (Prelude), 4th-8th (EAYC) and high school folks (Senior Select). We traveled the USA and Europe, sang for Mass in Vatican and did an exchange with an African choir, visiting South Africa in 2015. We just celebrated our 30th anniversary and now have an alumni choir too!.

The Thiel Choir was not only a big part of my social life at college but gave me traveling experiences as well. I am truly grateful to Thiel College for my education and to Dr. Johnson and the choir for setting me on my life's musical journey.

Anna (Schultz) Grimm ’03

Choir was a great consistency in the rapidly changing world of college life. Yes, the tours were fun and exciting (the memory of the final note of “Love in Grief” echoing through the national cathedral still gives me chills), but knowing every year, every week, most days we would be joining our voices in joy was the heart of choir for me. I’m hoping to capture a bit of that joy at the reunion.

Tina Krolikowski ’18

I am excited to be under the direction of Dr. Michael Bray one final time and to reunite with some of my dearest Thiel College friends. The choir provided me with the opportunities to grow as a singer, but also to strengthen my own confidence and professionalism within my adult life. Some of my fondest memories of Thiel College include choir rehearsals, performances, and tours. The choir and the places we visited as a group will forever have a place in my heart.

John Marrs ’83

The Thiel Choir was a natural next step for me as I participated in High School and reached District, Regional and State levels. The discipline and commitment gave me an understanding of putting aside personal gains for the good of the larger group. Much like team sports, we would do anything for our fellow Choir members, especially within our section. The feelings of accomplishment and achieving that special something that is greater than the sum of the parts was beyond description. It is with great anticipation that we look to the upcoming event to renew old ties and forge new ones to carry forward with pride and satisfaction in knowing that the music we make together will become a life-long memory to treasure forever.

Barb (Euwer) Spiri ’76

Helen Hopkinson ’57

I'll always remember the acapella sound and how beautiful it was. I loved the tours: singing in churches and other venues. I was able to continue singing after Thiel; in a church choir and our community chorus.

Fred McCullough ’65 and Karen (Spence) McCullough ’65

We knew after a short time in the Thiel College Choir that we were involved in something very special. And we also knew that when we graduated we probably would never have the experience again. There is something special about the acapella sound when you are taught how to sing correctly and blend with other voices. The choir reunions do bring back much of that sound.

Lori (Robertson ) Hinson ’92

How being in the choir impacted my life? It really fostered a life time love of singing in a group. It encouraged me to continue to seek out opportunities to sing in a choir. I've made many lifelong friends as I've done so.

The thing I'm looking forward to the most is to sing these beautiful songs that have been chosen with such a large group, and hopefully making some new friends!

Vickie McKee ’11

Thiel College was my home away from home and my choir mates were my family. I learned so much about myself and grew as a person because of Dr. Bray, Momma Bray, Kay Gray, and the choir. I met some amazing people who I am lucky to still call friends.

The sheer range of emotions that you can experience through music is magical and transformative. The Thiel Choir certainly transformed me. I can't say "thank you" enough.

Beverly (Anawalt) Miller ‘87

My choir experiences really enriched my experiences at Thiel: making friends, a break from traditional studying, gaining confidence in something I hadn’t really done before. I haven’t done organized singing in ages, and am looking forward to catching back up with it some at this reunion, along with some friends of… what usually doesn’t seem all that long ago. (shhhh)

Alumni

Thiel Choir 70th Reunion

Thiel Choir Testimonials