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Current, former HU musicians perform at Vespers

Five current and former Huntington University musicians will perform during a series of Lenten Vespers concerts ad the First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert, in Van Wert, OH.

Each concert begins at 5 p.m. and will include 35 to 45 minutes of Lenten and Easter themed music. Those attending are invited to stay for supper in the church’s fellowship hall.

Amy and Patrick Fata, vocalist and pianist, will perform on March 15. The pair began performing together in 1995 while both were students at Huntington University and married after graduating in 1996. They have taken their music ministry across the United States and Europe and have served as adjunct faculty at Taylor University, in Upland, and as worship leaders at the First Baptist Church, in Carmel.

Violinist Martha Barker, a Huntington resident who taught violin at Huntington University, and pianist David Van Tilburg, who holds a music education degree from Huntington University, will perform on March 22. Barker has performed with the Symphony of the Lakes at Grace College and the Manchester Symphony Orchestra. Van Tilburg retired as choral director from Celina City Schools after 28 years. He continues to give private voice and piano instruction and serves as Chancel Choir director at the First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert.

Oboist Marlene Schleiffer, professor emeritus of music at Huntington University, will perform on March 29. She retired from HU in 2005 after 33 years of full time teaching. She continues to teach private oboe and composition as well as a fine arts course for the HU EXCEL program. She will be joined by soprano Cricket Dobmeyer, soprano Sheila Chilcote-Collins and bassoonist Anna Battle-Baker.