Choir Tour Updates:

Joyful Worship and Nature's Beauties Make a Happy Sabbath

(The President's Page Blog is pleased Clement Morton and Rachel Slaunwhite have agreed to submit regular updates as CUC's choir tours and performs through eastern Canada.) 

Today was Sabbath! Praise the Lord we got to sing praises to Him, eat great food, and visit with good friends. 

Our day began with all of us crawling out of our warm comfortable beds, at the homes where we had been billeted. The people here in the Halifax area are absolutely awesome.  They are wonderfully hospitable and we could not survive without them!

 

After breakfast we made our way to the Crossroads Wesleyan Church where we sang our best concert yet!  The Sandy Lake Academy Choir joined us to sing Joy In the Morning and it sounded absolutely spectacular.

The lunch that followed was so bountiful and amazing that you simply could not make it to the end of the serving table before your plate was overflowing.  The church was completely packed!  It was so full I think we could hear the nails coming out of the walls. Some of us could simply not find room to sit down and enjoy our meal!

 

When we boarded the coach after lunch, we were greeted by a sight we did not expect.  Our driver of the last few days was wearing a kilt! He was dressed just like a Scotsman, which, it turns out, his ancestors were!  Being from the Halifax area, he was full of wonderful facts and bits of information that fascinated many of us.

 

Our first stop Sabbath Afternoon was Peggy's Cove where we spent the majority of our day of sightseeing. As we gathered by the lighthouse the smell of the salt and the laughter of children filled the air as we posed for a picture.  We wandered around the area, jumping from rock to rock, listening to the sound of the ocean as the winds dashed the water into the blackened rocks along the shoreline.

 

We drove around looking at the houses and other inlets in the area and ended up at the Peggy's Cove Museum which has free admission on Sabbath due to being owned by a Seventh-Day Adventist. The museum is a small house that was once just a regular house in the neighborhood until its owner, Ivan Fraser, found inspiration in a photograph he took of a huge wave at Peggy Cove. The local legend, in a nutshell, is that many years ago there was a shipwreck and the only survivor was a young girl who was rescued after the waves carries her onto the rocks in the cove. She could not remember anything about who she was or where she came from, not even her name. It was pointed out to Ivan that it looked as if there was a lady in the photo. So Ivan set out to transform the exterior of his house into a wonderful landscape of Peggy's Cove and make the inside look just as nice with all his amazing paintings and photographs as well as a few artifacts and antiques that he collected from the villagers.

 

Later Sabbath afternoon we headed to the Fox Point Church to have a supper consisting of fresh fruit salad, muffins, popcorn and drinks.  After this we headed to homes for the night. It was a full day of fun, frolic and friends. Thank the Lord we were able to spend the Sabbath in such a relaxing and enjoyable way.

 

Choir Tour Updates:

A Day of Travel to and Sightseeing in Halifax

(The President's Page Blog is pleased Clement Morton and Rachel Slaunwhite have agreed to submit regular updates as CUC's choir tours and performs through eastern Canada.) 

Friday morning dawned bright and cheery.  We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of hash browns and pancakes then drove out of Moncton all the way into the Halifax area.

We stopped in Dartmouth at the Mic Mac Mall for lunch then rendezvoused with our tour guide.   With our guide we drove around the city of Halifax looking at wonderfully designed houses as well as interesting historically significant spots such as where the Halifax explosion took place. 

We made our way to Fort George also known as Citadel Hill. This historic fortress was named after King George II of Great Britain. The fort was established during Father Le Loutre's War to protect the Protestants in the areas of British Interest from raids by the Mi'kmaq and Acadians. 

 

We got off the bus and ran around inside the fort for a quick visit.  Some of us were brave enough to run to the top and get pictures on the cannons before the man in a kilt came storming across the compound telling us we should not be up there.  Sufficiently scolded, we quickly scampered back to our ride. 

 

After visiting the fort we visited the Fairview Cemetery where 121 victims of the Titanic sank are buried.

While there we were able to visit the famous Grave of the Unknown Child. 

 

Rain and the cold eventually drove us back onto the coach and we made our way back to the mall where we enjoyed some free time.

 

As the day came to a close we made our way to Sandy Lake Academy where we were greeted by many anxious families who had volunteered to host us for the night.   Today was a full day travel and sightseeing; tomorrow is the Sabbath. Praise the Lord!

Choir Tour Updates:

Tour Offers Students Chance to Walk Lover's Lane

(The President's Page Blog is pleased Clement Morton and Rachel Slaunwhite have agreed to submit regular updates as CUC's choir tours and performs through eastern Canada.) 

Last night the people of the Maritimes again showed their hospitality by opening their homes to the women of our group. The men spent the night in the North Sydney SDA Church and the evening was spent playing music, bonding or heading straight to the nearest pizza place. Several of us even attempted to shower in the rain! That however did not work out as planned and soon the weariness of the day overtook us, and we were all fast asleep.

 

The women arrived back to the church in the morning to find many of the men nursing sore backsides from sleeping on the floor all night. As the men had breakfast the ladies slowly trickled in and we loaded the bus and prepared for the long ride ahead.  Prince Edward Island, here we come!

 

As we made our way to the world renowned Confederation Bridge the winds were so high that they were tossing the bus hither and yon across the road. Praise to be God that we are blessed with a skilled driver who got us safely to and from the Island. 

 

As the potato fields of the island came into view we made our way off of Confederation Bridge, winding our way through the streets of Canada's smallest Province to Cavendish's most famous farmhouse, Green Gables, home of the beloved fictional character Anne Shirley, created by author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

 

We were privileged to receive a private tour of the estate by the Parks Canada staff. They showed us around the house, which was set up as described in Montgomery's books. The beauty of the property brought alive the characters and settings described in Montgomery's books, making the beloved story even better. 

 

After the guided tour we had time to stroll around the grounds taking pictures and making memories. Many of us opted for a hike either down through the "Haunted Wood Trail" or through "Lovers' Lane."  

 

Upon arrival at the church for our evening concert we were warmly welcomed and fed a wonderful supper, which had been ready for us well in advance. Trying to fit all of us on their stage was a challenge but we managed.   The performance went well and was followed by a bounty of  "amens" and applause. 

 

As we boarded the bus again that night a German man came aboard to express his appreciation for the song we sang by Mendelssohn titled, Verleih uns Frieden.  “I just want to tell you that your German song was perfect!" he said. "I give you one hundred and ten percent! God bless you!”

 

Here are the words and their English translation as we sang them tonight.

German Text

Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich,
Herr Gott, zu unsern Zeiten.
Es ist doch ja kein andrer nicht,
der für uns könnte streiten,
denn du, unser Gott, alleine.

 

English Translation

In these our days so perilous,
Lord, peace in mercy send us;
No God but Thee can fight for us,
No God but Thee defend us;
Thou our only God and Saviour.

 

Hearing how such a difficult song to learn, was able to touch even just one man so deeply makes all the work and preparation worth it. The Lord surely does lead us and has a plan for everything we do.

After our concert we headed directly for beds and showers at the local Rotary Lodge. Feeling the warm water streaming down our tired faces and the soft mattresses under our bodies, we soon plunged into welcome slumber.

 

We are headed to Halifax, Nova Scotia tomorrow. God bless you all and as always thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts.

Choir Tour Updates:

Students Enjoy Private Tour of Coal Mine

(The President's Page Blog is pleased Clement Morton and Rachel Slaunwhite have agreed to submit regular updates as CUC's choir tours and performs through eastern Canada.) 

Utter fatigue helped many of us finally fall asleep early this morning on the ferry.  However we were awakened far too soon, shivering cold, to an announcement by the captain, “We will be arriving at the dock in about an hour.  Groggily we pulled ourselves into a semi-upright position nursing the sore rumps and propping our eyelids open with jokes and anything else handy.

 

The mostly calm seas and gentle rocking of the boat kept anyone from getting major sea sickness during the voyage. Thank the Lord for answered prayers!

As we left the ship, the Nova Scotia weather greeted us with a light but constant drizzle as we made our way to Smitty’s for a breakfast of a choice between golden brown potatoes and eggs, or fruit waffles. What a blessing such good and delicious food was for us starving, drenched souls.

 

Due to the rain we decided that instead of visiting Fortress Louisbourg we would tour the Cape Breton Miners' Museum. The museum was actually closed for the season but had opened that day especially for us. We received a wonderful private guided tour of the Sydney Mines and Museum. The part of the tour that really struck a chord in many of us was the great solidarity with and reliance upon each other the coal miners in those times developed with their families. This bond was what kept them going in during the terrible poverty they experienced in the 1920s.

 

After the tour we made our way into the city and headed to what is for Cape Breton a large mall.  There we had lunch and afterwards some of us delighted in sampling select pieces from the chocolate factory. After time well spent relaxing and enjoying the mall we made our way to St. Matthew Wesley United Church, where we enjoyed a wonderful supper of haystacks.

 

The concert that followed was absolutely stunning. Surrounded by the beautiful architecture, standing in the choir loft as we sang, each note reverberated filling us and the congregation with a sense of awe, giving us just the slightest glimpse of what heaven will be like.

 

As we bed down for the night, a sense of peace and comfort surrounds us, knowing that God loves us, and we are among friends.

Choir Tour Updates:

Anchors Aweigh for Choral Union Tour!

(The President's Page Blog is pleased Clement Morton and Rachel Slaunwhite have agreed to submit regular updates as CUC's choir tours and performs through eastern Canada.)

Last night we were billeted to homes in St. John’s and we have never experienced hospitality like that of the people of Newfoundland. They have bent over backwards to provide for us and make sure we were comfortable. Thank you Newfoundland!

In addition to their hospitality, the people here have also shown great appreciation for our music.  “Thank you so much for smiling! You looked like you were having so much fun as you sang. You did a wonderful job," commented one person who attended our concert in St. John's.

With the arrival of our friends who graduated on Sunday our group now totals 45.  One more member will be joining us tomorrow at our concert in North Sydney, NS and another will be joining us when we get into Prince Edward Island bringing our final total up to 47.

  

Tuesday was the day we were all dreading because of the five-and-a-half hour bus ride from St. John’s to Grand Falls where we stopped for lunch. We had limited dining options: Some of us went to Tim Hortons, others went to McDonald’s and some opted for the fish n’ chip and donair pizza at a place called Doninio’s.

A highlight of today's sightseeing was a stop at Rattling Brook falls in Northern Newfoundland. Many of us were brave enough to climb the stairs to a higher vantage point to view the falls. One brave soul ventured out onto the rocks to get a better picture of the falls. The view was spectacular and it was even better to be able to stretch our legs. The sight of the Atlantic ocean on the other side of the road was more of a temptation than some people could resist and so despite the close to zero degree water temperature they took off their shoes and socks and set their feet in the Atlantic ocean; which was a first for most of them.

A few photos were taken and then the sound of the bus horn beckoned us back onto the coach and we proceeded to our next destination, Cornerbrook, NL. Upon arrival we were greeted by Pastor Gerry Logan and fed a wonderful supper of soup, sandwiches and good company (don’t worry, we didn’t eat the people) prepared by the deaconesses of the Cornerbrook SDA church.

After supper we performed a shortened version of our programme and to save time we wore our choir jackets in anticipation of having to rush to catch the ferry. The ferry departs from Port aux Basque, NL and pulls into port at North Sydney, NS. The boat leaves at 11:45pm and is to due arrive at approximately 6:00am tomorrow morning. It’s going to be long night.

We're praying for calm seas, strong stomachs and the ability to sleep.

Choir Tour Updates:

Audience in St. John's Demands an Encore

(The President's Page Blog is pleased Clement Morton and Rachel Slaunwhite have agreed to submit regular updates as CUC's choir tours and performs through eastern Canada.) 

  

Monday morning started off with us bouncing out of our sleeping bags and making our way to the basement of the church where we were greeted with cereal, toast and fruit as well as hot drinks for breakfast. As we ate our fill the conversation focused on whether or not we might get to take a shower that morning. Dr. Munroe had booked a local YMCA but it turned out that they were closed for a holiday. So, we unfortunately couldn't shower today. On the bright side, we were all looking forward to the events of the day.

The plan was to tour the St. John's area and that is exactly what we did. While the city is much too large to see in one day, we were able to see many things that were incredibly interesting.

We had a wonderful guide who took us to Cape Spear the most easterly point in North America.  There we saw military fortifications in the form of underground bunkers built to protect the entrance to the St. John's harbour from invasion, as well as the lighthouse which protects ships from being dashed against the jagged rocks of the coast.

We also visited Signal Hill, just across the bay from Cape Spear. It is the birthplace of the first transatlantic radio contact and is also where the Cabot Tower stands. Cabot Tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee as well as to mark the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's land fall.

As we left Signal Hill we made our way to a small fishing village called as Petty Harbour. This site has been occupied since 1598 making it one of the oldest European settlements in North America! As we walked along the docks the seagulls circled overhead and the fishermen busily went about preparing their crab pots for the season.

Lunchtime came and we were set free with coins in our pocket and smiles on our faces, as we went in search of some local cuisine. After we had filled our bellies we had free time to roam downtown St. John's and explore the many wonderful shops, which we all took great advantage of. I fear our suitcases will be bulging a slight bit larger than when we first arrived!

  

After our sightseeing we hurried back to the church, and like ravenous wolves we devoured a delicious meal of lasagna, salad and garlic bread that was prepared for us by some wonderful ladies from the St. John's Seventh-day Adventist Church.

As we ate, people began arriving for our concert.  As the church filled up we got changed and then made our way into the sanctuary, to sing praises to the Lord! As we finished the first half of our performance, members of our group who had stayed in Lacombe for graduation arrived and were able to join us while still in their travelling clothes! Together we sang the last song and exited but were called back to sing an encore, so we sang "Joy in the Morning" a second time which was followed by much applause.

 

 As the activities of the day catch up with us, fatigue starts to set in and we look to the families of St. John's to take us in for the night, which they do with open arms. Rest, oh sweet rest, has never felt so good.

  

Until tomorrow, God bless you all and thank you for your prayers.

Choir Tour Updates:
First Leg of the Tour to Newfoundland is a Success

(The President's Page Blog is pleased Clement Morton and Rachel Slaunwhite have agreed to submit regular updates as CUC's choir tours and performs through eastern Canada.) 

The 2013 Tour of the Canadian University College Choral Union has officially begun!  For many of us the day started out with last minute packing, and a scramble to make it to the bus.  We waved goodbye to the graduates, friends and family as we departed.

Members of the choir who are graduating this year did not leave with us on Sunday.  They will be joining us tomorrow night flying into St. John's, NFL at approximately 8 pm local time.  Unfortunately, the majority of our tenors are also graduates!  Please hurry and join us soon!

We arrived at the airport in good time, and most of us had no problems getting checked in and through security; but of course, as always, a few of us encountered some issues. Some overweight bags, extra bags, and a damaged bag caused some problems but, thanks be to God, that all turned out well and we were soon well on our way to our first destination - Ottawa, Ontario.

Upon arriving in Ottawa we were asked to remain on board the aircraft as we waited to embark on the last leg of our journey.   Two-and-a-half hours after take-off from Ottawa we landed safely in St. John's, gathered our luggage and hopped on a bus bound for the St. John's Seventh-day Adventist Church.  There we were greeted by a nice gentleman who let us into the church and showed us to where we were to stay.

Clement Morton

We're now all settled down and will try to get some sleep so that we're "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed" for the day awaiting us in the morning.

Graduation 2013: Largest Class Ever, Wonderful Event, Horrible Weather!

In spite of cold temperatures, a stiff biting wind, and intermittent snow, this year's graduation weekend services were the "biggest" and the best Canadian University College has experienced.  You can view the printed program for the weekend here.  Video of all three major programs can be viewed at this location.  (Note: The procession of the Commencement Service does not start until about 14 minutes into the video.)

In his welcome at Sabbath morning's Baccalaureate service, President Haynal explained why the weather would not in any way spoil the weekend:  It is my privilege to welcome you to Canadian University College and our baccalaureate service.  While the weather may not be what we would like, the cold will not overcome the warmth of our fellowship, the rain will not dampen our spirits, the sleet can’t slake our sense of satisfaction, no storm will steal our joy, because we are in God’s house surrounded by the people we love.  Mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends all drawn to this place, at this hour, by our love for these graduates and our gratefulness to God for having brought them safely thus far.  This is indeed the day only the Lord could make possible. Let us rejoice and be very glad in it!

Dr. Kenny Basit, a CUC graduate (2006) and now a dentist in British Columbia was the speaker Sunday morning.

Dr. Mansfield Edwards, (right), President of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, joined Dr. Haynal in congratulating his son, Craig, upon receiving his diploma.

Religious studies majors pose on the lawn in front of the Administration Building  with their professors.  Notice the snow falling . . .

Music majors pose with Dr. Wendy Markosky (front, centre) and Professor Debra Bakland, (front, far right).

A CUC First:
Graduation Services will be Live Streamed

Dr. Kenny Basit, a CUC graduate and
a dentist known for his humanitarian
work will speak at the commencement
service.

Canadian University College will grant degrees and certificates to 117 graduates the weekend of April 19-21.  Because this is the largest graduating class in CUC's history, an overflow crowd is expected at Sabbath's baccalaureate and Sunday's commencement service.  For this reason, those two services will be live streamed on the Internet.  Viewers can join the live stream for Sabbath's service at 11:40 am and Sunday's service at 10 am using the link found at www.cauc.ca/graduation/live

The graduates at rehearsal Thursday evening.

Speaking for the Friday evening service will be Pastor Massiel Davila.  President of the Hope Channel, Bradley Thorp, will be speaking at the baccalaureate service.  Presenting the address for the commencement service will be Dr. Kenny Basit, a 2006 CUC graduate, now a dentist in Terrace, British Columbia.

Editor's Note: The live streaming was a great success.  More than 250 viewers from around the world watched the commencement service online.  We had multiple viewers from the USA, Mexico, Brazil, UK, India, Barbados, Tanzania, Venezuela, Italy, Germany, Jamaica and Norway.

Focus on CUC History:
Students Participated in Coronation Celebrations for King George VI

Reporting on the Coronation Day celebrations of May 12, 1937, honoring King George VI, the Lacombe Globe reported, “Never in the history of Lacombe was a larger or more colorful procession formed.”   

The students of Canadian Junior College joined about 1,200 students from 19 community schools in that procession which was almost one mile long. The CJC women wore patriotic tiaras in red, white and blue, while the men wore white-topped military hats. The women carried a banner to identify Canadian Junior College as they were led by Desmond Tinkler’s* motorcycle to the pavilion in Lacombe for the program. Others rode in the school’s pickup truck. CJC’s president, Hubert K. Martin was among six speakers who were to confine their addresses to five minutes.

As the students filed out of the pavilion they were presented with a Coronation medal souvenir and an ice cream cone. At noon the King’s speech was broadcast by loudspeaker at the football grounds. Prizes were given for the best decorated banners, floats and bicycles with Gull Lake School being the top winner.

In the afternoon 33 competitive track events were held for the children. Winners from College Heights were Averill Jones, Helen Palmer and Violet Justinen. The day concluded with a bonfire and fireworks display in the evening with 3,000 children and adults attending.

*Desmond Tinkler was Joyce Van Scheik’s father. Joyce was CUC’s head librarian 1993-2007.

President's Note:  This glimpse of CUC's history is the first of what will be a monthly feature prepared by Edith Fitch, who does brilliant work in our Archives Office.  If you have questions related to CUC's history, you can reach our volunteers in Archives by e-mailing archives@cauc.ca

Desmond Tinkler

Hubert K. Martin
President of Canadian Junior College, 1933-1937

Cristian Neacsu is CUC's Newest Professor

Canadian University College is pleased to announce that Cristian Neacsu has agreed to serve as a full-time member of its music faculty.  In addition to teaching private lessons and classes, Mr. Neascu will direct the Chamber Orchestra.

Mr. Neacsu is presently a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he will complete his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance this year. Concurrent with his studies at the University of Illinois, Mr. Neacsu is working as a Violin Teaching Assistant for the university and a choir director at a nearby church.

Mr. Neacsu completed his undergraduate degree in violin performance at Andrews University in 2008.  While there he won the Young Artists Competition in 2005 and 2007.  

He was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music where he received his Masters of Music in Violin Performance in 2010.  During this time he studied conducting with Annunziata Tomara and Mark Gibson.

As a result of his excellent scholarship and musicianship, Mr. Neacsu was offered a position as a Teaching Assistant and given a full tuition waiver at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  While at the university he has studied with Stefan Milenkovich and Sherban Lupu.

Mr. Neacsu grew up in Romania where he began playing the violin at age 7.  He moved to the United States in 2005 to attend Andrews University.