Yesterday we had mentioned some of the CD’s that we carry at RHB. This past week we took the time to interview the Director of Heritage Voices, Rich TenElshof of Heritage Reformed Congregations, in Grand Rapids Michigan.
The Heritage Voices Choir consists of 65 members from the Heritage NRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan and other local churches. Originally founded over 30 years ago, the choir aims to glorify a triune God through song. Their ministry includes concerts for the elderly 3 to 5 times per year at senior living homes, in addition to the concerts performed during the Christmas and Easter seasons.
Rich TenElshof’s passion for music began before the age of 3. He has a love for traditional sacred instrumental and choral music. Rich has directed the Heritage Voices choir for 6 seasons. Prior to that he sang for the choir as well as for the Calvin Oratorio Society. Additionally, he loves to play both the piano and the organ. His piano selections are largely played without sheet music and are arranged spontaneously. He has played in numerous concerts and participated in several recordings. He is married and has three
children.
Ellis Meschke has enjoyed playing the organ since the age of 8. He studied organ at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan and began serving as church organist in Kalamazoo at the age of 15. He now enjoys playing for the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation as church organist and accompanying the Heritage Voices Choir. He is married and has three boys.
Interview
Q: How was the Heritage Choir started and when was the choir formed?
A: The choir was initially formed as “The Choral Society” over 40 years ago, although the exact date has been hard to determine. The name change to “The Heritage Voices Choir” took place about 12 years ago.
Q: How long have you been with the choir and what exactly is your role in their ministry?
A: I have been the director of the choir for 6 seasons. Prior to that, I sang as a member of the choir.
Q: What do you see as the choir’s mission in their ministry?
A: To glorify God through song and edify those to whom we sing.
Q: What sort of venues does the choir sing at and how often do they perform?
A: In the past, the choir’s main ministry was to sing at old-age homes. Today, we continue that tradition by singing at four to five homes per season. In addition to that, we have two or three other concerts per season with one at Christmas and one to two in the spring.
Q: Where do you see the ministry of the Heritage Voices in 10 years?
A: There is a great need and hunger in our day for traditional music. We see a great number of people at our concerts, and that number grows from various churches within the community. Long term, the vision of the choir is to expand the proximity in which we minister to include other areas where there is a desire to hear God’s name glorified by means of song.
Q: Do you have upcoming concerts that are in or out of the area of Grand Rapids, Michigan?
A: The next concert that we have scheduled has yet to be firmed up, but will likely be either December 15th or 22nd in the sanctuary of Heritage NRC. Any questions regarding the choir or our concerts can be directed to Rich TenElshof @ 616-791-9409 or by email at rtenelshof@sbcglobal.net. Please visit our website at heritagevoices.com to listen to selections from several songs.
If you would like to purchase some of Heritage Voices CD’s you can do so through RHB, or by clicking below.
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