In July of 2003, Oasis Chorale took their very first tour; to Ireland, England, and Wales! Dan Yoders and the Dunmore East Christian Fellowship served as our base in Ireland, and from there we traveled to various places for evening programs. Several times our journeys took us away overnight, nd we were privileged to stay in Irish homes and even patronized youth hostels several times.
Recording at Altar of Praise Studio in Lancaster, PA proved to be a stretching but good experience for our already weary bodies! We wrapped up our tour with four programs in Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Our itinerary included a short weekend jaunt to England and Wales via ferry, where we shared several programs and worshipped in a huge old cathedral on Sunday morning.
We were awed at the beauty of Ireland! A winding cliff walk hugged the rugged coastline overlooking the Irish sea near the Yoder’s, where heather, gorse, and wildflowers grew. The thick, soft grass made a perfect mattress to fall into! We reveled in the beauty as our schedule allowed, taking the cliff walk all the way into the little town of Dunmore East. While most of our evenings were given to singing, we did quite a bit of sightseeing as we traveled to various churches. Some of the highlights included Waterford Crystal, the Rock of Cashel, the Cliffs of Mohr, and the city of Dublin. The charming Irish accent and friendly faces, coupled with the beauty and incredible history, made our stay in Ireland a memorable one!
The Chorale arrived on July 31, groggy and tired after a long night time flight, preceded by two grueling days of rehearsal in Lancaster, PA. After a bit of sight seeing and a chance to catch a good night’s rest, we commenced to an all day rehearsal. That evening we gave our first program at the Dunmore East Christian Fellowship.
August 1 – Dunmore East Christian Fellowship, Dunmore East, Ireland
August 2 – Church of Ireland, Tramore, Ireland
August 3 – Church of Ireland, Cashel, Ireland
August 4 – Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cork, Ireland
August 5 – Limerick Baptist Church, Limerick, Ireland
August 6 – Church of Ireland, Armagh, Northern Ireland
August 7 – Crookstown Catholic Church, Crookstown, Ireland
August 8 – Church of Ireland, New Ross, Ireland
August 10 – Saint Mary’s Abbey, Aylesbury, England
August 11 – The Oasis Christian Centre, Dwygyfylchi, North Wales
August 12 – Maranatha Fellowship (Waterford College Chapel), Waterford, Ireland
August 13 – Return to USA
August 14 – Recording, Altar of Praise Studio, Leola, PA
August 15 – Faith Mennonite High School, Kinzers, PA
August 16 – Faith Mission Fellowship, Free Union, VA
August 17 – Calvary Mennonite Fellowship, Harrisonburg, VA
August 17 – Shippensburg Christian Fellowship, Shippensburg, PA
Conductor: Wendell Nisly, KS
Soprano
Brenda Hershberger, VA
Geraldine Lapp, PA
Jeanene Nisly, KS
Rosemary Zook, VA
Lana Martin, PA
Cynthia Yoder, VA
Karen Yoder, VA
Regina Yoder, Ireland
Alto
Christina Gingerich, MO
Susan Lapp, PA
Janet Martin, ONT
Brenda Petersheim, SC
Brenda Kuhns, IL
Edith Mast, MO
Joyce Miller, IA
Bettina Yoder, VA
Tenor
Karlin Miller, PA
Dwight Stoltzfoos, PA
Ryan Yoder, PA
Gabriel Jantzi, ONT
ason Mast, AR
Dwayne Stoltzfus, PA
Lyle Stutzman, KS
Bass
Vernon Kuhns, IL
Jotham Yoder, VA
Randall Yoder, VA
Peter Zehr, OR
Bradlyn Martin, PA
Michael Mast, AR
Joe Miller, VA
Trell Miller, IN
Jonathan Yoder, Ireland