Sheri Yutzy - Speculative Fiction Author

  • About
  • Stories
  • Contact
  • Magic Forest Proofreading
You are here: Home / Made to Create / Made to Create interview with conductor Wendell Nisly

Made to Create interview with conductor Wendell Nisly

January 14, 2019 by Sheri

Hello readers! After taking a break for December, I’m excited to welcome Wendell Nisly to Made to Create. Wendell is deeply involved in music within the Anabaptist culture. His influence and talents have fueled many musical endeavors, most notably Shenandoah Christian Music Camps, the Oasis Chorale, and the Valley Arts Society. Join us as we delve into his musical vision today.

Sheri Yutzy: Hi Wendell, welcome to Made to Create!

Wendell Nisly: Thank you!

SY: You’re obviously passionate about affecting your community and even your public sphere through music. What’s the most fulfilling part about being able to do that?

WN: Humans were placed on the earth with the command to develop creation and culture. We are responsible before God to do that with all areas of creation, which includes music (among many other things). As we do God’s work in God’s way, his glory shines in the dark corners of the world. As we engage in this work, whether it’s our Sunday going-to-church music or our Monday-Saturday living-normal-life music, we become more fully alive, more fully conformed to the image of the Son, more fully human. I love being a tiny part of that work.

SY: I like that thought, commanded to develop  culture…Music has been a vital part of Mennonite culture. How have the music camps impacted how Mennonites view music?

WN: The camps have only been a part of a much larger movement that’s happening among Mennonites. I think we are seeing a growing capacity in understanding the basics of music – how it’s put together, how to read music, and so on. But more than that, I think more people are realizing that music is a really important part of who we are as humans, and are investing time, energy, and money to develop that.

SY: Have there been any unintended consequences of the music camps?

WN: Music is just like any other good gift of God – it’s a personal delight, and as we develop and practice it has this “inward curvature” – we make it about ourselves. I worry that the worst detriment to the development of music in our culture is not by the people who are suspicious, but by the musicians themselves. When we display arrogance and superiority, rather than loving and serving God and community, we promote brokenness rather than healing. I think I’ve witnessed this sort of bad taste at times coming out of the endeavors of camp.

SY: It’s true that our blind, fallen natures want to twist any good gift from God. You’re also involved in the Valley Arts Society. What is the vision behind that?

WN: VAS was started to be a place where the arts, community, and orthodoxy intersect. Right now we only have choirs, but we hope eventually to expand into other areas of the arts. Our goal is to create a place where we love our neighbors – all of them, without exception – through doing art together in community. Yet we want all of that to be infused with a biblical understanding, so that we practice our craft in the fear of God. In this way, it’s really no different from what every disciple of Jesus should be doing in their own field of work.

SY: A lot of people have been impacted by the Oasis Chorale, which you conduct. What is the hardest part about conducting that year after year? What’s the best part?

WN: The toughest part is probably choosing music. The entire concert rises or falls largely on repertoire selection. It has to have this breathing sense throughout the concert: challenging and accessible, fast and slow, complex and simple, rejoicing and sobbing, difficult vocal range and easy, rooted and exploratory – there is an interplay of these that makes a rewarding experience for singers and audience when it works.

The best part – Jeanene and I love the people. They’ve become our friends. So when you’re doing something that probes your soul like this music, and you do it in the context of friends, it’s a taste of the river of God’s delights.

SY: Who inspires you most musically?
WN: Jeanene. She lifts up the hands that hang down difficult days, and reminds me that I’m first a human, not a musician.

SY: What have you learned of God through music?

WN: In Chariots of Fire, the Olympic runner Eric Liddell says, ‘God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” On a good day, it’s something like that for me when I’m conducting a choir or leading singing and worship in church.

SY: Thank you so much for sharing with us!

WN: Thank you!

Do you have questions, comments, or encouragement for Wendell? Leave a response below! Thank you for reading.

Filed Under: Made to Create

Comments

  1. James Gribble says

    September 1, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    Wendell,
    You are an inspiration to all Christians. I would have loved to have sung tenor in your choirs. The harmonies are beautiful and with much feeling. May God continue to bless your work. You are a true servant, stay faithful.
    I tune in on YouTube each Sunday morning as I ready for church. It blesses me. Thanks,
    Jim

Want free stories, discounts, and other forest magic?Join my newsletter!

I like sending free stories to my friends.
Join the list and get a free ebook copy of Stories of the Stars, my speculative short story collection!

About Sheri

Here Goes Something New!

Hi, I'm Sheri Yutzy. I love forests under the night sky, trying new foods, and drinking Irish tea.
I'm married to a musician who looks good in black, mama to two toddlers who love to eat, and happy resident of a Cape Cod cottage in Ohio.
I write YA fantasy and am acquisitions editor at sparkflashfiction.com.
Join my email list for free fiction!

Follow Along

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Find some magic with me!

sheriyutzyauthor

I know, it looks like I’ve only read fantasy thi I know, it looks like I’ve only read fantasy this year. This is not true, but they do make such lovely pictures. 🤩 Fantasy, especially YA fantasy, is the genre of my heart, and since my bookshelf space is limited, I tend to buy more of them. Did I mention they’re pretty?😅

⛸️Wishtress, by @nadinebrandes 

🌊A River Enchanted, by @beccajross

🏇The Scorpio Races, by @maggie_stiefvater

🌲The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by N.K. Jemisin

🐉League of Dragons, by @naominovik

Have you read any of these?

Can you name five books you’ve loved this year?
🌿☀️🌿 My best tip for finding magic every 🌿☀️🌿
My best tip for finding magic everywhere?
Go out and catch a few children.
Release them in your backyard.
Let them rummage in your cupboards and tiptoe into your bedroom with their treasures.
In the morning you’ll smell daffodils everywhere.
🌿☀️🌿

#twentywordtuesday #sheriyutzy #daffodil #daffodilday #cottageflowers #poetsofinstagram #shortpoem #flowerpoetry
What is a day for? I found myself pondering this q What is a day for?
I found myself pondering this question as I meditated on Scripture this morning. I love to achieve things, and sometimes I get lost in the maze of caring for little ones while wanting to get something—anything—done. I’m living a dream life, saving money every day (by not using daycare😅). Half the time it feels too good to be true, the other half it is just too real and never seems to end.
But this morning I was seeking silence before God and it occurred to me that what I was doing was the point of my days. I am here to love Him and be loved, and show my children how to love Him and be loved. And I can do that to better effect because of the many tiny tasks they need me to do for them. They’ll see His love in how I prepare their food, teach songs, finally make the Playdough they’ve been begging for.
It’s the task of my life, and when these children are moved away, it will remain my task.
How lovely is that?
What are ways you let God show you He loves you?
#moodycottage #walksoutside #sheriyutzy #slowliving #dresses #thrifteddress
My chubby cheeked sunshine. ☀️♥️☀️ My chubby cheeked sunshine. ☀️♥️☀️
Load More... Follow on Instagram

My Book Progress

Spiraldown
Phase:Writing
31.8%
MyBookProgress by Author Media

Goodreads

Let’s keep in touch!

You'll be the first to know about new discounts, free stories just for subscribers, and beta reader openings. Feel free to sign up!

© 2023 Sheri Yutzy | Site by EY-PHOTO-WEB

 

Loading Comments...