Events of Interest
The excitement is building as the members of Ohio Christian University’s Chamber String Ensemble prepare for their musical ministry trip to Japan from August 11-29, 2016. “My wife and I have always had a love for the Japanese people and a strong desire to share the message of Jesus and salvation with them,” says Roger Stieg, the ensemble’s director and founder.
“The opportunity that the Chamber Strings have to perform in Japan is a wonderful new door that God is opening for the music students at Ohio Christian University”, commented Dr. John Anthony, the Music Department Chair.
“In the future, it is my dream to see more of our students traveling abroad, using their musical talents to spread the gospel.” For some of the students in the ensemble, like violinist Madeline Sifford, the opportunity to minister in Japan was an answer to prayer. “Lately I have been thinking and praying about being a missionary, commented Ms. Sifford. “I had been asking God to open the door for me to go on a summer missions trip when this opportunity presented itself.”
The Japanese have a great appreciation for classical music. Japanese people who would otherwise never enter a church will attend a classical concert. The Chamber String Ensemble will be performing sacred and classical music in various settings in the towns of Karuizawa and Matsumoto. In the concerts, the gospel and Christian literature will be presented. “The main goal of the trip,” says Mr. Steig,” is to connect the local churches with the people of their communities.” Please pray that God will prepare the hearts of the Japanese people, for safety in travel, and God’s blessing on the ministry of the ensemble.
Events of Interest
Events of Interest
Articles of Interest
Kids on Campus Returns to OCU
Published: June 7, 2019
Ohio Christian University welcomed Kids on Campus — a summer enrichment
program for first through fourth graders that allows them to experience
academic life on a college campus, while improving their math, science,
art, and technology skills — for the 13th consecutive.
The program is a partnership with Pickaway WORKS and Ohio Christian
University with generous support from others as well.
Campus rarely lacks youthful exuberance, but having Kids on Campus brought a
child-rich energy. It wasn’t just the adults who enjoyed having the kids
around; the kids had fun too.
Carley Derexson,
Ohio Christian University welcomed Kids on Campus — a summer enrichment
program for first through fourth graders that allows them to experience
academic life on a college campus, while improving their math, science,
art, and technology skills — for the 13th consecutive.
The program is a partnership with Pickaway WORKS and Ohio Christian
University with generous support from others as well.
Ohio Christian University welcomed Kids on Campus — a summer enrichment
program for first through fourth graders that allows them to experience
academic life on a college campus, while improving
Community Action Day - It was a GREAT Day!
Published: April 18, 2019
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400 students to serve residents and
businesses who were in need. A tradition at Ohio Christian University,
classes were canceled, and students were able to go into the public and
implement the service attitude taught at OCU.
With help from Volunteer Economy and RPHF Solid Waste District, students were
equipped to effectively serve and feel prepared to do so. Students served in
various capacities
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400 students to serve residents and
businesses who were in need. A tradition at Ohio Christian University,
classes were canceled, and students were able to go into the public and
implement the service
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400
Second Annual Youth Leadership Conference
Published: April 5, 2019
Over fifty youth leaders from more than thirty churches and organizations
converged on the Ohio Christian University campus for the second annual Youth
Leadership Conference. Anticipation for the conference was met with engaging
and relevant information applicable to those in attendance. The subject
of the day was the importance of actively engaging youth with the reality of
Biblical Truth in these formative years. Dr. Walt Mueller, expert in youth
culture and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, began the
conference with a dive into youth culture and practical ways
Over fifty youth leaders from more than thirty churches and organizations
converged on the Ohio Christian University campus for the second annual Youth
Leadership Conference. Anticipation for the conference was met with engaging
and relevant information applicable to those in attendance. The subject
of the day was the importance of actively engaging youth with the reality of
Biblical Truth
Over fifty youth leaders from more than thirty churches and organizations
converged on the Ohio Christian University campus for the second annual Youth
Leadership Conference. Anticipation for the
OCU To Hold Nashville Styled Songwriting Boot Camp
Published: March 25, 2019
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this event after experiencing many similar writing workshops in
Nashville, TN.
“My heart for the day was just to create an opportunity for song writers in
central Ohio to come together and get an experience like they might get in
Nashville if they went to a songwriting conference,” Martin said. “The
order of events is very similar to the conferences I’ve been to.”
The event will be held in OCU’s
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this event after experiencing many similar writing workshops in
Nashville, TN.
“My heart for the day was just to create an opportunity for song writers in
central Ohio to come together and get an
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this
Archived Articles of Interest
OCU Music Department Welcomes New Vocal Adjunct
Published: August 14, 2013
The OCU Music Department welcomes Dr. Dione Bennett as its newest adjunct
voice and choral faculty member. Dr. Bennett brings to her position a
background in classical singing and gospel music, a deep commitment to
Christ, and a love for vocal instruction.Her voice has been heard in operas,
recitals, and oratorios both nationwide and internationally. She has
performed Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen, Bess in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess;
Mimi in Puccini’s La Bohème; Suor Genevieffa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica,
to name a few. She has also appeared as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah,
Beethoven’s
The OCU Music Department welcomes Dr. Dione Bennett as its newest adjunct
voice and choral faculty member. Dr. Bennett brings to her position a
background in classical singing and gospel music, a deep commitment to
Christ, and a love for vocal instruction.Her voice has been heard in operas,
recitals, and oratorios both nationwide and internationally. She has
performed Micaela in Bizet’s
The OCU Music Department welcomes Dr. Dione Bennett as its newest adjunct
voice and choral faculty member. Dr. Bennett brings to her position a
background in classical singing and gospel music, a
OCU Receives Music Grant
Published: July 31, 2013
Ohio Christian University (OCU) announced that the Miriam Ruggles Adkins
Foundation of Pickaway County has awarded OCU a grant in order to support the
concert activities of the university. Over the past six years, the OCU Music
Department has actively endeavored to contribute to the musical culture of
Pickaway County by hosting free concerts with musical artists from around the
state and the nation. “We are so excited and grateful that the Miriam
Ruggles Adkins Foundation has made this gesture of support for our efforts to
bring great music and musicians to Pickaway County,” said OCU
Ohio Christian University (OCU) announced that the Miriam Ruggles Adkins
Foundation of Pickaway County has awarded OCU a grant in order to support the
concert activities of the university. Over the past six years, the OCU Music
Department has actively endeavored to contribute to the musical culture of
Pickaway County by hosting free concerts with musical artists from around the
state and the
Ohio Christian University (OCU) announced that the Miriam Ruggles Adkins
Foundation of Pickaway County has awarded OCU a grant in order to support the
concert activities of the university. Over the
OCU Professor Contributing Across the Country
Published: May 20, 2013
Ohio Christian University is blessed with an outstanding faculty and staff
who not only impact OCU students, but are also actively influencing their
academic disciplines nationally. Earlier this year, Dr. Krista Stonerock,
Writing Center Director and Professor of English at the main campus in
Circleville, was selected to serve on the McGraw Hill Freshman Composition
Symposium in Boca Raton, Florida. Additionally, in March of this year, Dr.
Stonerock was asked to serve on a panel at the College Composition and
Communication national conference in Las Vegas, NV where she met with 15
Ohio Christian University is blessed with an outstanding faculty and staff
who not only impact OCU students, but are also actively influencing their
academic disciplines nationally. Earlier this year, Dr. Krista Stonerock,
Writing Center Director and Professor of English at the main campus in
Circleville, was selected to serve on the McGraw Hill Freshman Composition
Symposium in Boca Raton,
Ohio Christian University is blessed with an outstanding faculty and staff
who not only impact OCU students, but are also actively influencing their
academic disciplines nationally. Earlier this
Ohio Christian University Music Students Serving Berger Hospital
Published: March 26, 2012
Ohio Christian University music department faculty member Mary Jane Dean has
been working with Berger Health Systems administrators Cathy VanHorn and Pat
Hughey to launch a new, volunteer music therapy program at Berger called
“Sounds to Soothe the Soul.” Current student volunteers from Ohio
Christian University, Alyse Copeland (Freshman, Music Education Major) and
Korrin Miller (Sophomore, Worship Arts Major) are participating in the
project. Music department chair Dr. John Anthony praised the project as
being a wonderful opportunity for “our music students, whatever their
Ohio Christian University music department faculty member Mary Jane Dean has
been working with Berger Health Systems administrators Cathy VanHorn and Pat
Hughey to launch a new, volunteer music therapy program at Berger called
“Sounds to Soothe the Soul.” Current student volunteers from Ohio
Christian University, Alyse Copeland (Freshman, Music Education Major) and
Korrin Miller (Sophomore
Ohio Christian University music department faculty member Mary Jane Dean has
been working with Berger Health Systems administrators Cathy VanHorn and Pat
Hughey to launch a new, volunteer music
Matsuda Recital at Ohio Christian University
Published: March 23, 2011
The Music Department of Ohio Christian University will be hosting a guest
recital this coming Monday night, March 28 at 7:30 in Detty Chapel. Violist
Ken Matsuda (member of the Columbus Symphony) and his wife Tanya will be
presenting a lecture/recital of works for viola and piano by composers from
various countries around the world. Admission to the recital is free.
Community guests are welcome.
The Music Department of Ohio Christian University will be hosting a guest
recital this coming Monday night, March 28 at 7:30 in Detty Chapel. Violist
Ken Matsuda (member of the Columbus Symphony) and his wife Tanya will be
presenting a lecture/recital of works for viola and piano by composers from
various countries around the world. Admission to the recital is free.
Community guests are
The Music Department of Ohio Christian University will be hosting a guest
recital this coming Monday night, March 28 at 7:30 in Detty Chapel. Violist
Ken Matsuda (member of the Columbus Symphony)
