A melodious voice breaks the silence in the campus music suite. Mark Ferguson, choir director, vigorously moves his arms to the beat, and he appears pleased with this year’s ensemble group.

“I am very pleased with this year’s ensemble,” Ferguson said. “Every section is stronger this year than the previous years. Last year we had definite strengths and weaknesses, but this year I think it’s a strong group across the board.”

Ensemble took and a two-day retreat to Matthew Brower’s [?06] house on Nov. 1-2 and brought food for themselves to cook and other personal belongings to enjoy.

“After trying many locations for a retreat we ended up going to the Brower’s home,” Ferguson said. “It worked out great because it was close, big, and there were plenty of activities to do and we all got to know one another better.”

While on the retreat students were able to grow spiritually and have a chance to get to know one another.

“The time we spent at the retreat gave us a chance to be together and learn more about the Lord,” Krista Johnson, ’06, said. “We also got a chance to get to know new people better.

During the retreat many of activities were going on and students were allowed to relax and have fun together.

“I loved the retreat,” Josh Wright, ’05, said. “We played ping pong, tennis, volleyball and baseball. A couple of buddies and I slept outside in a tent and it was fun all around.”

While the ensemble mostly focused on learning music in the fall, they did sing for a pastor’s group during lunch on Oct. 29.

“”I’m really looking forward to spending time with fellow ensemble members on the upcoming trips to San Francisco and Hawaii,”” Phillip Ocheltree, ’04, said. “”The music this year is really amazing; the men have a acapella verson of ‘Carol of the Bells’ that is challenging and vocally clean and unencumbered.””

Ferguson agreed and was upbeat after the performance.

“”The luncheon was for the pastors in the area was a way to introduce them to FCS and to thank them for their ministry,”” Ferguson said. “”It went great….they were an appreciative audience. They [ensemble] could eat, too, so that was an added bonus!””

Ferguson and ensemble is preparing for the Christmas concert season after learning 20 songs during the fall. Their next performance will be a Christmas banquet for area pastor at Copper River on Nov. 20.

The following is the ensembles proposed winter schedule:
12/1-Christmas chapel for grades K-2 (8:00-11:30 A.M.) ? CC & Ensemble
12/5-Christmas Chapel for grades 3-6 (8:00-9:30 A.M.) ? Ensemble
12/8-Christmas Concert (7:00 P.M.) ? CC & Ensemble
12/2-3-Ensemble trip to San Francisco (Saint Francis and Hilton hotels).

For more information about ensemble, see Ferguson or contact high school office 299-1695, ext. 5.” “Brianna Stobbe, Photographer” “While sitting in horseshoe formation on Nov. 4, ensemble prepares for their upcoming concert season. Director Marc Ferguson, left, not only prepares students for performance but also shares personal insights on living a life dedicated to Christ.” “Brianna Stobbe, Photographer” “After their retreat ensemble prepares a choral adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Fairy on Nov. 4. They will perform in San Francisco at Saint Francis and the Hilton on Dec. 10.” “Insert text here