Each summer, MCCL middle and high school choir singers participate in tour. At the heart of MCCL tour is serving by singing and learning through meaningful interactions with others. Each tour weaves together musical growth through masterclass workshops and choral collaborations, personal growth through meeting new people and deepening friendships within the choir, cultural growth through experiencing unique places in the communities we visit, and spiritual growth through whole‑group devotions, small‑group conversations, and learning from churches and organizations who serve others in the name of Jesus.
Tour has a profound impact on singers, chaperones, staff, and those who graciously host us. What a gift it is to sing as our mission and to learn from one another.
Wednesday, June 10 – Travel & Elkhart, IN
“We woke up early and went to the church to start our trip. It took around 10 hours to get to Indiana on a coach bus. We took 2 stops on the way, both in Ohio. During our first break we had our lunch, on the second we had a snack of cheese and a clementine. My favorite part of the trip was when another singer taught me how to crochet. I also enjoyed getting to know more people.” – Chloe, middle school singer
Even though it was early in the morning, everyone was buzzing with excitement when the choir departed from Neffsville. The bus games we played helped me get to know others I wouldn’t normally talk with, as we learned the importance of three words: respect, flexibility, and intergenerational. The rest stop we stopped at for lunch had everything we needed, and I enjoyed eating lunch with my small group outside. The rest of the journey, I sat with a new person, which was a great opportunity to have even more conversations. When we arrived at the church after our very long journey, I felt instantly welcomed by the people at Olive Mennonite Church as they graciously provided a delicious dinner. It was fun to see how the audience interacted with the choir and how much they were moved by our songs. After the concert, we were assigned to host homes, and I got to meet a lovely couple, as they graciously offered their home to my group. As I looked back on the day, I thought there couldn’t be a better way to start tour off. “- Rosalind, high school singer
Thursday, June 11 – Warren Dunes, MI & Notre Dame, IN
“The morning started off by meeting at Olive Mennonite Church, getting prepared for the brief trip to Warren Dunes State Park, where we saw huge sand dunes and Lake Michigan. We arrived to the beautiful view of Lake Michigan after an hour of traveling on the bus. Most of the choir started by climbing the giant sand dunes, and upon peaking it, we enjoyed another stunning view of Lake Michigan. After about an hour and a half of fun, water, and sand, we departed yet again on the bus to a shady pavilion and enjoyed a delicious, pre-packed lunch (thanks to all the chaperones) for about an hour.” – Mika, high school singer
“Then we made our way over to Notre Dame University where we got to see some of the campus on a tour. We ended our tour at the Basilica which was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The high domed ceilings, gold features, and stained glass windows were so enchanting, I felt so honored to sing in that marvelous space! After that, we met the Notre Dame Children’s Choir and we each taught each other a song. We taught them Praise His Holy Name and they taught us A Grateful Heart.” – Violette, middle school singer
“After singing in the beautiful basilica on Notre Dame’s campus, our group walked back to the white box theatre. We heard a wonderful devotional from a chaperone who talked about the song “Alleluia” and some of the deeper meaning behind its lyrics. After that, we were introduced to the Notre Dame Children’s Choir (NDCC) and began rehearsing together. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with other singers and learn from NDCC’s director, Dr. Mark Doerries. Following the rehearsal was a time to rest and refuel with a lovely dinner graciously provided by the parent of an NDCC singer. Once finished, we went to our greenroom to rest, stretch, and play fun games, like trying to identify singers’ voices. At that point, it was time to begin our concert, so MCCL and NDCC lifted their voices together in a beautiful performance to glorify God. After the concert, we said our thank yous and goodbyes and headed back to Olive Mennonite Church to meet with our host families for the night.” – Micah, high school singer
Friday, June 12 – Goshen, IN & Bluffton, OH
“The morning started off by driving to a thrift store run by Mennonite Central Committee. We were greeted by the staff there and went on a tour through the building to learn about the organization. We learned about the different jobs people have, and how they do them. We saw the store, and we also saw the behind-the-scenes of where they organize what they sell. After the tour, we were assigned jobs to do throughout the building. My group was taken to a part of the store called “the furniture room.” We cleaned off many shelves and reorganized them. We also wiped down windows and mirrors and dusted lots of lamps. When we were done cleaning, we all gathered back together and put on a very mini concert for the staff at MCC. – Anna, high school singer
“Then we took a short trip to the Center for Hope and Healing, an organization that provides healthcare and more to individuals with low income. We had pizza, learned about their mission, and did a mini-concert for the people who work there. Then we took the three and a half hour trip to First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Ohio. We ate dinner (it was delicious, if you’re reading this and were involved in the food stuff, thank you so much!) and did a concert for the people who go there. We walked to Bluffton University and slept in the dormitories there.” – Liam, middle school singer
“First Mennonite Church members fed us a veritable feast, including crockpots of pasta, different types of sandwiches, a table full of cookies, and more. That evening, we gave an extra energetic performance, partially due to the meal and also to the antics of the chaperones in the back of the audience. The congregation was very supportive! ” – Lily, high school singer
Saturday, June 13 – Bluffton, OH & Kidron, OH
“Today was a day of an early start. As soon as we got ready and had our breakfast, we had a mini concert at a retirement home. I could see a bunch of the residents enjoying the music and wanting to get involved. After that we had a workshop to work on some of our more gospel-like pieces with Jonathan Blake Turner. Let me just say with the two types of directors we got to work with on tour, I could see the differences. For instance, the director for the Notre Dame Children’s Choir guided consonants and everything that goes along with choral singing. Mr. Turner wanted us to give it all to the crowd. Both ways are correct; they’re both unique and I find both very helpful in different genres of music.” – Delaney, middle school singer
“The next part of the day was maybe the highlight of the tour for a lot of people. We were given a phenomenal master class from director of music at Bluffton, Jonathan Turner. I was incredibly blessed by his positivity and attitude toward music and the words behind the music. We worked on a few of our pieces working on embodying the spirit behind Gospel style music. After lunch, also in the cafeteria on campus, we were given tours of the campus by wonderful students/staff who attend/work at Bluffton University; they showed us around campus, answered questions and interacted with MCCL students like they were excited to see us. From there we said goodbye to Bluffton and drove to Sonnenburg Mennonite church for our evening concert. Everyone there had an amazing attitude and after hearing the incredible story behind how we came to be hosted there and how God worked everything out for us on short notice. I think it motivated us to give maybe my favorite concert of the tour.” –Donovan, high school singer
” As someone who grew up living internationally, I love traveling to and learning about other places, meeting new people, and making connections. MCCL tour is kind of a boiling pot of sorts for those kinds of interactions which I absolutely love. Not only that, but being able to do those things with a group of wonderful singers is a special experience. – Lia, high school singer
Sunday, June 14 – Kidron, OH & Lititz, PA
“The final day: When I got up this morning I had a nice warm cup of tea and for breakfast I had casserole and blueberry french toast. Afterwards, all of the guys in my group (8 in total) played football in the back yard for at least 1 hour. Once we made it to the church we started to do some warm ups and everything went well. It was really cool because the songs that the choir sang were the church service at Smithville Mennonite Church. I even saw some people who were tearing up during Behold the Lamb of God. After the service we had pulled pork, green beans, salad and a cookie. Then we went on the road for our final concert.” – David, middle school singer
“This tour has been an incredibly special experience for me. I have been involved with MCCL since second grade, and this is my fifth major trip with the choir. On paper, MCCL is a choral program. In my heart, however, MCCL is my family. This is a group of people unlike any I’ve been a part of. These are the kindest, most respectful individuals I have had the privilege to work with. I grew up in MCCL, and I learned not only how to sing but how to be a friend and a team member. MCCL certainly prepared me for things like my All-State Chorus audition or for a collegiate choral scholarship. But MCCL most importantly prepared me for making new friends, being flexible, and working well with others. MCCL has taught me how to interact with other generations besides my own, through the music therapy intensive and service work at local nursing homes. The past 5 days, I have become so much closer to the choir members and the chaperones. MCCL, thank you for the music. I would not be the musician or person I am today if it hadn’t been for this choir.” – Ava, high school singer
“The Chamber & Concert choirs headed into the sanctuary to begin warming up. I sadly was not able to sing during rehearsal or the worship service due to a mouth infection. I sat in the front row and really absorbed the words that my friends were sharing. Many times, I closed my eyes and just grounded myself in the singing, and a wave of calm washed over my body throughout the service. As a singer, I never get to truly experience the magnitude of the power that our singing has on an audience. When you’re on stage, a lot of the time you’re just up there to sing and follow the director and to sparkle with your eyes. Because of that, I never fully grasped the depth of what we were singing until this trip. Additionally, I got to hear the songs in a new light and listen to different aspects of the songs. For me, it was a gift to be able to be blessed by the choir and see God use them to share his message. I am also so glad to call this community my home. Over the past 11 years, I have been shaped and formed by these people, and I am excited to continue to be a part of this wonderful community.” – Collette, high school singer
Amazing Volunteer Chaperones & Bus Drivers Make Tour Possible
During tour two volunteer bus drivers, Sil and Kay, expertly drove the choirs from location to location. They not only drive us with great care; they also pray for us, tell us jokes, and share life with us. MCCL tour would not be the same without them! Additionally, parents and MCCL alumni singers provide nurture and structure for singers by serving as chaperones. We are grateful for each one of them who give their time and care to singers in small groups. They help shape the tour culture into something meaningful!
