, professor of music at 草莓社区, recently became the third honoree to receive the . He accepted the award at the Forbes Center Season Announcement event last week [June 11, 2015].
The honor, co-sponsored by the Forbes Center, the Arts Council of the Valley, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts at James Madison University, recognizes 鈥渋ndividuals and organizations in Virginia鈥檚 Shenandoah Valley that enhance and strengthen the cultural community by promoting and advocating for artistic excellence.鈥�
Nafziger 鈥� hymnal editor, choral conductor, and founder, conductor and artistic director 鈥� has done precisely that.
The timing of the awards presentation was fitting, as shortly after Nafziger began channeling his music-making prowess into the 23rd annual festival, a week-long summer event which gathers musicians and singers from around the country. Three concerts, all in Lehman Auditorium, remain on the schedule: Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday morning Leipzig service at 10 a.m.
The award ‘belongs to us all’
During his acceptance speech, Nafziger celebrated the collaborative efforts of his many fellow musicians: 鈥淭his award is a reminder that, in my primary means of music-making, which is conducting, there is nothing I can do alone. Therefore, this Circle of Excellence award belongs to us all who have often shared workspace 鈥� concert hall stage, or rehearsal room, or church 鈥� each in some way a playground of the inner life. I cherish the sounds, the beauty, the work, the risks, the joys and the moments that we have experienced together.鈥�
He also saluted past recipients Stan Swartz, a theater teacher at Harrisonburg High School, and OASIS Fine Art & Craft, a Harrisonburg art cooperative.
A member of the faculty at EMU since 1977, he was nominated for the award by his colleague, Professor . (Griffing, concertmaster of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra, was unavailable to comment).
鈥淒ue to his many years of experience and stellar reputation as a conductor, the Bach Festival regularly attracts highly talented instrumental and choral musicians from around the U.S. and Canada each summer,鈥� wrote President in his supporting letter to Griffing鈥檚 nomination.
To the region and beyond
In addition to the Bach Festival, Nafziger has a long legacy of bringing musical excellence to the region. This is his 20th year as the music director of , a chamber choir based in Winchester. With both Musica Viva and the EMU , he鈥檚 toured widely in local venues, including participating in and planning worship services of various denominations.
Mennonite congregations in the Valley and indeed, all of North America, also worship using the songbook staples that bear his editing mark鈥� Hymnal: A Worship Book, Sing the Journey and Sing the Story.
鈥淜en is known across the Mennonite Church, and in many other denominations, as a dynamic worship planner and leader,鈥� wrote Swartzendruber.
Nafziger has also opened the world to area musicians, taking both choral groups on tours of Cuba, and traveling himself to the island as a guest conductor, master class professor and project collaborator.
As his acceptance speech suggests, Nafziger鈥檚 unflagging enthusiasm and dynamism will continue to shape the Shenandoah Valley’s music scene.
鈥淭his honor is encouragement to keep on musicking 鈥� no slowing down, no quitting, no easing up,鈥� said Nafziger. 鈥淩ather, it tells me that I should take seriously this terse bit of American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser鈥檚 advice, ‘If your work speaks for itself, don鈥檛 interrupt!’鈥�
聽For more information about the remaining Bach Festival concerts, click . For tickets, click .
A freewill offering will be taken at Sunday’s 10 a.m. Leipzig service.