“Join choir. Sing always.”
Andrew moore – Orpheus choir alum 2010-2015
The history of Orpheus Choir at Olivet is not only rich with experiences, but it is also rich with people. Orpheus would not be a choir if it were not for the people in it. Throughout the years, Orpheus has housed hundreds of members. Andrew Moore is one of those members.
Moore was a member of Orpheus choir while he attended Olivet from 2010-2015. During that time, he created and carries memories and highlights that were made during his time in choir. A few of his favorites include: traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, singing at Chicago’s Fourth Presbyterian, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Nazarene General Assembly in Indianapolis. He also had the opportunity to sing with some vocal legends, David Phelps, the Gaither Vocal Band, Sandi Patty, and Robert Hale. More important than those though, the best memories came from doing the hard work of rehearsing and enjoying the company of fellow choir members when traveling to places they were singing.
Something unique about Orpheus is the community that it builds within. Moore said, “the community provided by Orpheus was exceptional.” Walking through the quad and the streets of campus, he always knew he would see a friend he knew from choir. The group was very closely knit. Being a part of Orpheus created a healthy routine for Moore.
“Without Orpheus, I am not sure where I would have experienced so much goodness, so much good music, and so many good people.”
Andrew Moore
Community was not the only thing that was impactful for Moore. The whole premise of a choir is singing. And singing requires music. Music was another important part of his Orpheus career, on an obvious note. The music that was sung during his time was “enriching, edifying, and beautiful.”
Moore believes music connects people to ideas and truth in a unique way that nothing else has the ability to do. Orpheus sings music that is both lovely and full of truth. And because of the wonderful community that Orpheus has built, there is a cycle of reinforcement that goes between the music and the people.
Being in Orpheus has left Moore with not only memories but also occasional recollection of songs that were sung while he was in the choir, sometimes a daily remembrance. And when those memories come up, it is not the same song. Songs return to mind when Andrew has read a certain lyric, verse of scripture, or just having a flashback to his time in Orpheus.
“I want to remember days gone by or find solace in music, I need only tap into that memory. I carry the music with me, and by extension, the friends that I made there.”
Andrew Moore
As a high school choir director, Moore has taken his experience at Orpheus and used it to his benefit. He not only admires the remarkable music skill of Dr. Bell, he also finds a deep gratitude for the example of Bell’s marriage with his wife Carole.
Moore is thankful for the opportunities he had to come into their home with a welcoming invitation. He hopes to emulate Dr. Bell not only as a music educator and leader, but in his marriage and actions “to reflect the kind of deep, abiding, and Godly love that [he] saw in them.”
