De Lange says the trip was a reminder that “Christian community isn’t limited to where we live, our jobs, our background, or our age.”
In June, the alumni choir embarked on an 11-day international tour across the Netherlands and Germany.
The group of 35 former Concert Choir members performed five concerts and visited historic cities including Amsterdam, Haarlem, Groningen, Berlin, Leipzig, and Frankfurt.
For Kaylee De Lange (‘11), the simple joy of singing with fellow alumni was reason enough to join. “There is an unspoken bond that connects all choir members, past and present,” she says. “I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sing again with a group of that caliber.”
The tour also had a nostalgic element about it for De Lange, who went on a Netherlands choir tour as a student in 2009. “My experiences with the Concert Choir while I was a student were very rich and will stay with me for my lifetime,” she recalls.
Before the trip, choir members spent several months preparing individually for an 18-song program, then gathered in Sioux Center for three days of intensive rehearsals, culminating in a pre-tour performance at First Christian Reformed Church.
For Marshall Fynaardt (’17), a highlight was the group’s ability to immerse themselves in the distinct culture of each city. “It was great to see the difference in culture between the Netherlands and Germany, and even the difference between Groningen and Amsterdam,” says Fynaardt. Singing in historic European churches, he adds, was an indescribable experience. “From the building where my ancestors worshiped, to J.S. Bach’s cathedral, to a Berlin church scarred with bullet holes and a Leipzig church that hosted Cold War protests, there is a rich depth of history.”
“These spaces are more than just beautiful old buildings; they are testaments to faith, community, and art,” adds De Lange. “It felt amazing to be a part of the sacred atmosphere and feel the spiritual weight of the space through the music.”
De Lange says singing “Praise to the Lord”—a Concert Choir tradition—was especially moving. “It was our first experience as a choir blending voices: an alto voice next to a tenor, a soprano, and a bass. To sing such a powerful, final song of the tour in a beautiful setting, while hearing different voice parts come together, was beyond words. I couldn’t even sing the last few words because I started crying.”
Dr. Ryan Smit ('99), director of choral activities and tour conductor, says each concert brought its own distinct memory. “At one concert in Berlin, a male vocal quartet completely unknown to us walked up and sang a song in Latin during a pause between two of our pieces. We found out afterward that our hosts had no idea who they were, either. Another fun experience: our performance in the Erfurt Cathedral had the largest audience and took place in the largest space.”
De Lange says the trip was a reminder that “Christian community isn’t limited to where we live, our jobs, our background, or our age.” Fynaardt agrees: “I appreciated experiencing the little things with new friends—the meals, the bus rides, the singing, hearing about the lives other Dordt alumni are living, and discovering new places together.”
“Choirs are a beautiful picture of what true community can be,” says Smit, “a group of people working together toward a common goal and developing deep camaraderie along the way.”
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
“Through this community I’ve built friendships, received guidance for my future, engaged in meaningful conversations with peers and professors, and felt a deep sense of belonging. The community at Dordt is special, and it’s a blessing to be part of it.”
“It’s rare to stop and think about how God uses pain or temptation to form us. Sharing those stories with others was powerful—there’s much wisdom to be found in community.”
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