By ALYSSA RICHARDSON AND AMANDA MCFARLAND
Staff Writers

Members of the community gather to listen to the world class music offered free of charge at one of MasterWork’s numerous performances.
(photo provided)

WINONA LAKE — After 19 years as part of the Winona Lake community, a popular local event is seeking a new location to call home.

Recent changes in Grace College’s curriculum and use of the Rodeheaver Auditorium have made it impossible for the festival to continue on campus.

This year’s festival drew 200 students, who spent four weeks studying everything from classical music to ballet and other aspects of the performing arts. More than 12,000 spectators gathered to watch them perform.

In an email, Dr. Bill Katipp explained Grace College’s reasoning for no longer hosting the festival, much of which has to do with implementation of a new worship arts major, which will take over much of the office space once used for the festival.

Katipp also stated in his email that Grace College will no longer be able to use proceeds from the Dane and Mary Louise Miller Music Endowment to support the festival.

Meanwhile, a local business group plans to use Rodeheaver Auditorium as a location for banquets, wedding receptions and other catered events. It will also remain open for concerts and musicals and will continue to be the home for the Symphony of the Lakes and to the Grace College Community Wind Ensemble.

“We are making these changes to best serve the needs of Grace College and our students,” Katipp said. “Grace has informed community leaders that we will support a summer concert series at the Village at Winona.”

Kavanaugh expressed no hard feelings toward Grace College for making the changes and said MasterWorks is already looking at several other college campuses so it can continue.

“As to their reasoning, I’m sure they are trying to do the best thing they can do for Grace College,” he said. “They are dear friends to me and I will miss working together with them.”

“We have had a wonderful time presenting our festival here and will miss the beautiful people of this community,” he added.

To learn more about MasterWorks and to see videos from past festivals, click here.