Dordt NISO Dordt Changes media concert theatre to DCC truck Piano in ACTF Dreamer page 3 page 3 page 4 page 8 January 31, 2019 Issue 1 Follow us online Concert Choir tour: ain’t no sickness can hold them down Haemi Kim -- Staff Writer could incorporate this beautiful language into our piece. I loved the excitement on people’s During winter break, Dordt College Concert faces in the audience—or fear among the high Choir and its conductor Ryan Smit went on a schoolers—when we did this song and I had tour, sharing their talents to many different people at almost every stop come up to me audiences. It was a week-long tour going afterwards and thank me for it.” around Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Even though the choir tour was a blast to Many of the choir students enjoyed being on many of the choir members, this year, the tour because it was an opportunity to meet other stomach flu spread within the choir, affecting choir members and build relationships with around 14 students, and even the conductor other choir members. during their last concert before coming back. “It’s a unique opportunity to get to know the Because of this, TeBrake and Seaman stepped other choir members outside of the choir room,” up to conduct the last concert, each taking half said senior soprano Kourtney TeBrake. of the performance. “Before tour, you recognize people in the As music education majors, it wasn’t their first choir, maybe know their names, but when you time conducting for a choir. Both of them had spend a week traveling in a charter bus with 52 opportunities to conduct in Lab Choir, as well other people… you get to know each other real as for different Dordt music classes. Seaman well,” said senior soprano Jalyn Vander Wal. also mentioned that he had opportunities to “Coming into Concert Choir for the first time, conduct for his church and high school. as sophomores, we kind of feel like we don’t “I loved being up on the podium and seeing really belong to the Concert Choir because everyone signing,” said TeBrake. “They were those who were in before all knew each other happy for Daniel and me, as well. Being in front and bonded in previous tours,” said sophomore of a powerful choir was absolutely amazing and Yovela Belicia, “but then through the tour, you Contributed Photo gave me goosebumps.” feel like you become more part of the group.” Minus the sickness, choir members had a The bonding did not end just within the choir us—the people they had never met—was such with their voices again to finish the piece. The great time during the tour and shared their but expanded through experiences the choir had a blessing,” said sophomore soprano Kate music itself called for sign language. experiences with excitement. with the different churches and host families. Lodewyk. “I loved how the composer thought that this “There is something about being able to make “It was great getting to meet new people on One particularly memorable song, “Ain’t No would be a unique take on an African American beautiful music with a very talented group of the road, especially some of the host families Grave Can Hold My Body Down,” included Spiritual,” said Vander Wal. She has been individuals,” said Lodewyk. “Singing is an who were so generous and kind, opening their sign language. Vander Wal, standing in front, signing for about seven years since high school expression of worship and being a part of that homes to us,” said senior tenor Daniel Seaman. took charge of signing while the choir joined for her foreign language class. is truly a blessing. My favorite part of every “I definitely look forward to the host families in during the chorus. Then, almost at the end of “I really like sign language because it can be concert came right at the end, singing Praise to because there’s always stories we get from the song, the whole choir became silent, singing an art or it can be practical with deaf people,” the Lord… as the close of our concert… I think that.” only in sign language before coming in strong said Vander Wal. “I think it is awesome that we that tradition reminds us why we sing: to bring “The hospitality that the host families showed praise to the Lord.” Rec Center gets a makeover Dordt instructor challenges Sawyer Strelnieks -- Staff Writer Steve King for Congress Tess Hemmila -- Staff Writer, and Spencer Short The Northwest corner of Iowa is ranked - Guest Writer the #1 agricultural district in the entire world, according to Feenstra. If elected as a For the first time in 16 years, a big change representative of the fourth district, Feenstra may be coming to Sioux County. Dordt College says being on the Congressional Agricultural faculty member and lifetime Sioux County Board would be a necessity for him. resident, state Senator Randy Feenstra, has Feenstra also wishes to be on the Ways and announced his intention to run for the Iowa Means Committee in Congress, the organization Representative District Four seat. that works on national tax code and policy. In In early January, Feenstra made known his 2018, Feenstra and other members of the Iowa plans to run against long-time incumbent Senate Ways and Means Committee passed Representative Steve King in the 2020 race. His some of the largest tax cuts in Iowa history. announcement came shortly after King made In addition to his political career, Feenstra insensitive comments about white supremacy has taught at Dordt College for ten years: eight Contributed Photo and botched a Martin Luther King Jr. Day years as an adjunct instructor and two years During winter break, the Dordt Recreation that was in the Rec Center got moved out. tribute on Twitter. as an Instructor of Business Administration. Center—or the Rec Center—got a fresh look “Our situation before this transition consisted Feenstra has served as an Iowa State Senator Feenstra teaches a variety of business and and rearrangement of its facilities while students of one weight room shared by athletics, for District 2 for ten years and he is currently in political science classes at Dordt. were off campus on winter vacation. community and general students,” lifting coach his third term. If elected, Feenstra will have to Despite positive feedback Feenstra has Students returning to campus were welcomed Kyle Van Wyk said. “This often resulted in a give up his position as a state senator which will received, not everyone is impressed with Randy by a newly renovated Rec Center with a new balance that often felt tricky to manage on both result in a special election to fill Feenstra’s seat. Feenstra’s run. Current head of Dordt College athlete weight room. The old sports weight room ends of the spectrum.” The issues Feenstra has identified as most Republicans, sophomore Tyler Bouma, believes was converted into a community weight room. Once the gymnastics equipment was moved important are agriculture and simplifying Steve King will continue to be the best choice All the equipment from the weight room next out, this freed up space for a new sports the federal tax code to make it easier for the for northwest Iowa. to the track was moved to the new community team weight room. They began with painting general public to understand. He hopes this “It’s not completely surprising that someone weight room and students had to say goodbye the gymnastics room and moving workout will help keep the money of the people in their is trying to run against Steve King with all the to “muscle beach.” The space next to the track equipment out of the old workout room and into own pockets rather than in the hands of big national controversy he’s been embroiled in… is currently being transitioned into an aerobic the new athlete weight room. government. but I think the only reason that [big agriculture] fitness center. The new space created for Dordt athletes “I am very passionate about hearing what the wants Feenstra to run is for more corporate With Rise Gymnastics opening up this past fall brought a lot of positive feedback from athletes voters want and focusing on what the people of welfare,” said Bouma. in Sioux Center, all the gymnastics equipment Continued on page 3 the fourth district need,” Feenstra said. · News· page 2 Wheels on the ground for Congress welcomes a diverse Dordt media network crew in 2019 Emma Stoltzfus-- Staff Writer Danielle Schultz -- Staff Writer Photo by Aaron’s Lenz It’s the Dordt v. Northwestern men and covered plate Lodewyk’s wife put together for women’s basketball games on Jan. 23. While the crew. While the half a dozen or so students the players dribble the ball back and forth on come from a mix of different majors, years, and the court in De Witt gym, there’s another team experience levels, they’ve become a team and in play. are learning the process together. Photo by Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg The Dordt Media Network is officially on “It’s like a little family in there.” Bader Associated Press the scene this semester. The DMN is putting describes. together a student-driven broadcast team whose Colton Ott, a sophomore electrical engineering To kick off 2019, the newest members of the to look out for, however, is assimilation. If goal is to cover events such as chapel services, student, is in the truck working on recording 116th Congress, especially those of the House, the differences diversity brings to the table concerts, or sports games.