The Wheaton College Artist Series is now in its seventh
decade of presenting professional performing artists on the campus of Wheaton
College. Orchestras, dance companies, choral ensembles, chamber groups of all
configurations, and soloists have come from all corners of the globe (four
different continents) as well as right here in Chicago to present musical and
dance works from across the centuries and cultures.
The Artist Series, it may be safely said, is a fixture of
the College and of the local community. With any longstanding program, however,
it is prudent to occasionally consider its current value to its community.
Here in the midst of its seventh decade, I believe the
Wheaton College Artist Series provides tremendous value in support of the
overall mission of Wheaton College. Consider the following ways it does so:
First, the Artist
Series supports the Conservatory
curriculum. The guest artists provide a live example to the music majors of
professional musicians doing what they do best. Greater Chicago does not lack
opportunities to see live professional musicians, but the convenience of
attending such a performance on campus, at a fraction of the cost it would be
to see them elsewhere, is an asset that should not be overlooked. Additionally,
the breadth of the Series’ offerings means the music majors are exposed to a
greater variety of artists – including those they might not spend their own
time and money to pursue off campus.
Also, many of the guest artists, in addition to their
evening concert, present a master class (sometimes as part of an extended
residency), and it would be difficult to overstate the value of those events to
music majors. Again, due to the breadth of the Series’ offerings, it is
probable that at least once per academic year, there will be a master class of
immediate interest and applicability to each music major – and the other master
classes expose students to another facet of professional artistry, wholly fitting
in our liberal arts environment.
Second, the Artist
Series allows several students each year an experiential learning opportunity, one of the hallmarks of a
Wheaton education in this era. In addition to the permanent staff, the Artist
Series employs a handful of students in key management roles. These positions
allow the students to develop their critical thinking, collaboration,
communication, planning, and situational analysis skills, as well as have
frequent interaction with professional arts administrators (the visiting
company’s management). The experience these students gain is invaluable as they
pursue their post-Wheaton activities such as graduate school and the workforce.
Third, the Artist Series
is a ministry opportunity. At the
front of house, the Artist Series allows the College to engage many members of
our local community. The servant spirit of the student ushers who provide a
warm welcome to the patrons is a powerful witness to the community. On the
other side, the stage and production teams, performing their jobs with
excellence, integrity, and graciousness toward the performers, are a powerful
witness to the artists themselves, most of whom are not (yet) believers. The
artists’ interactions with Christians at Wheaton may be brief, but the Holy
Spirit may still use that time to draw people unto Christ. And finally, our
commitment to presenting the highest achievements of the performing arts is a
powerful witness to the world at large that the gospel is not anti-art, but
rather, the arts can be a powerful kingdom tool in the work of proclaiming the
gospel to all nations, starting at Wheaton.
The Wheaton College Artist Series is
tremendously valuable for the Wheaton College community and beyond. I am
privileged to have been a part of it for over six years now, in various roles,
and I eagerly anticipate what is ahead for this exciting program.
