Join us is Holland, Michigan, for our 20th Anniversary Celebration!

S  U  N  D  A  Y   •    N O V E M B E R   2 ,   2  0  2  5   •   3  P M

Performing

Anton Armstrong, Conductor
The 2023-24 season is Anton Armstrong’s 34th year as Conductor of the St. Olaf Choir, marking him as the longest tenured conductor in the ensemble’s storied 112 year history.  He is the Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College, becoming the fourth conductor of the St. Olaf Choir in 1990 after ten years in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he served on the faculty of Calvin University and led the Calvin Alumni Choir, Calvin Campus Choir, the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus and the St. Cecilia Youth Chorale.   He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and earned advanced degrees at the University of Illinois (MM) and Michigan State University (DMA).  He is editor of a multicultural choral series for Earthsongs Publications and co-editor (with John Ferguson) of the revised St. Olaf Choral Series for Augsburg Fortress Publishers.  In June 1998, he began his tenure as founding conductor of the Oregon Bach Festival Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy.  Dr. Armstrong currently serves as Chair of the National Board of Chorus America and has returned to serve on the National Board of The Choristers Guild. (Read more here)

Ken Medema, American Musician/Singer/Songwriter
Ken Medema is one of the most creative and authentic artists performing today.  He is a Christ follower with a passion for social justice.  Uniquely, he is also blind.  Ken has been visually impaired since birth. His sight has been limited to distinguishing between light and darkness and seeing fuzzy outlines of large objects. “I spent a lot of time by myself as a kid. Because I lived with some degree of being an outsider all my life, I identify with people who have been disenfranchised, whether they have been isolated, disabled, or oppressed.”  Ken shares, “for me, music made all the difference. I started banging on the piano when I was five years old, making up crazy little pieces on my mom’s piano. When I was eight years old my parents found me a wonderful teacher who taught me the classics with Braille music and encouraged me to play by ear. My teacher helped me to develop improvisation skills. Every time I learned a new piece, she would tell me, ‘Now, you improvise in that style.’ So, music became a second language.” (Read more here)

Ken Bos, Festival Organist 
Dr. Kenneth Bos is well-known as a pianist, organist, and accompanist in western Michigan.  He rrently serves as organist and director of music at Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also the collaborative pianist for the Calvin University Capella and for the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus. Before retirement he was on the faculty at Grand Rapids Community College.

The Venue

Christ Memorial Church
595 Graafschap Road, Holland, Michigan, 49423
616-796-3370
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A group of eleven families from Trinity Reformed Church, possessing a certain faith, hope, and vision, met in August 1956 to consider the founding of a new Reformed church in the southwest area of Holland. On November 13, 1956, a steering committee of five was elected to formulate the necessary plans toward organization. The first service was held in November of 1956. Forty-one families gathered for the formal organization at Montello Park School gymnasium on January 23, 1957. The new name became “Christ Memorial Reformed Church” on March 26, 1957. The Rev. Edwin G. Mulder was installed as the first pastor on November 7, 1957. On February 7, 1958, the architects and building committee proceeded with the building of the first educational unit on the property on 24th Street and Graafschap Road. The former sanctuary was built in 1968. As the congregation continued to increase, in 1975 the new south education wing was completed which consisted of the Fellowship Hall, Fireside Room, the two-story office building, and the Frank Meyer courtyard. The new sanctuary seating 1,700 was completed in 1989. The new east wing construction was completed in October 2006 which consisted of a community area, adult classrooms, youth area, and chapel.

Christ Memorial is deeply committed to being a loving community of Christ-followers propelled by the Father’s transformative love, the empowering grace of Jesus, and the mending guidance of the Holy Spirit. We intentionally foster loving relationships that guide everyone toward healing community. We purposefully serve to restore hearts, lives, families, neighborhoods, and cities to vigor and hope. Simply stated, because of God’s calling and the Spirit’s strength, we think, love, and serve like Jesus. (Read more here)

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