Dove Singers History

2017 – “Known by the Scars”

The final season for the Dove Singers – a time for everything under heaven!

Our final musical was “Known By The Scars – By His Stripes We Are Healed” by Tom Fettke and Camp Kirkland. It was one of our favorites which is why we decided to finish with it, and with a few modifications! We also included the wonderful songs “Resurrection Chant,” “Soli Deo Gloria” and, of course, “The Hallelujah Chorus”!  We were blessed to have 140 Dove Singers from a record 57 different churches participating!

And yes, let us rejoice in the fact that Christ was known by the scars – and that by His stripes we are healed.

2016 – “The Sacrifice”
The Dove Singers performed “The Sacrifice”, a repeat of the 2009 presentation.  With fresh new ideas, The Sacrifice looked through the eyes of several followers of Jesus (The Centurion, Peter, Caiaphas, Pilate, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus), witnessing their insights and emotion. The audience experienced a moving and dramatic story of the first-hand remembrances of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and gained a powerful personal perspective on the redeeming sacrifice Jesus paid for us. We had 108 participants from more than 40 churches.

2015 – “Elijah”

The 2015 Dove Singers performed “Elijah”, a musical about the power of prayer based on I and II Kings. We went back in time and experienced the life of Elijah the prophet, his victory over false prophets, his struggles, and his close relationship to God. We saw the “Battle of the Gods”, heard Jezebel’s rage against Elijah, and felt Elijah soaring on the wings of an eagle. Elijah finally passed on his mantle to Elisha, and was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind as God demonstrated His power and compassion for His people.

The 2015 group consisted of 80 singers, orchestra musicians, narrators, technicians, and dancers from 37 different churches.

2014 – “Into All the World”

This was another exciting year for the Dove Singers. We performed “Into All the World,” created and written by Randy Vader and Jay Rouse. It was a little different than some of our previous musicals. This one focused on evangelism and reaching out “into all the world” to spread the gospel. There were some great familiar songs (“Song for the Nations,” “He Reigns,” and “Jesus Saves”) along with some new songs in a variety of styles.We also added a powerful version of “Jesus Shall Reign” to the end of the musical.

The group consisted of 115 singers, orchestra musicians, narrators, technicians, and dancers from more than 45 different churches.

2013 – “The Torch is Passed”

A repeat of our 2008 Dove Singers performance, we had 111 participants from over 30 different churches.

2012 – “Known By The Scars”

Another great season for the Doves. We had 116 people from a record 51 different churches participate.

Our musical for 2012 was “Known By The Scars – By His Stripes We Are Healed” by Tom Fettke and Camp Kirkland.  It featured the beautiful title song, which was written and originally performed by Michael Card. It also featured the writings of Max Lucado serviing as narrative, setting up the wonderful songs. In addition, there were both new and old favorites, including “In Christ Alone” (Townend/Getty), “Honored, Glorified, Exalted” (Vader/Rouse), and the haunting “Carry Him Gently” (Courtney/Redd) which was in the very first Dove Singer musical (and we were thrilled to see it make a “comeback!”).

Let us rejoice in the fact that Christ was known by the scars – and that by His stripes we are healed.

2011 – “Forever Triumphant”
This is a chronicle of our redemption – an account of events removed from us by two millennia – and yet a story that reverberates today in the echoes of ancient thunder. The world was changed by what occurred during this week we remember. From the promise first voiced by the prophets – to the angel chorus rejoicing in the evening sky near Bethlehem – to the ministry years and miraculous deeds – Jesus has been a divine enigma. For those who encounter Him and are able to behold His glory, He is all that He claims to be and more. For those who are blinded by sin and pride, He is a threat to be dealt with. He has been misquoted, mistreated, misunderstood, misrepresented and marked as a heretic. But make no mistake – the evil one knows exactly who He is and has but one plan for Him – eternal defeat and death. The Father – the Creator of the world – knows Jesus as only a Father can – and He has but one plan for His Child – eternal victory.  His only Son will be Forever Triumphant.

2010 – “May We Never Lose the Wonder, The Wonder of the Cross”
This musical was about the importance of remembering. On the eve of His trial and execution Jesus made it clear that we were to remember Him and His sacrifice. He instituted the sacrament of the Last Supper to be a central part of the Christian faith – a time to gather as His Body and remember.

We cannot stand in the distance and casually observe the sacrifice of the Cross. We cannot pretend it did not happen – that it is less than it is proclaimed to be – that it does not touch us or our lives. The Cross is not something that we get used to – not something that we can get comfortable with – not something that we can ever take lightly.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, by His own choice died nailed to a Cross for the sins that you and I committed. May we never forget His sacrifice, may we never fail to fall to our knees in thanksgiving for that kind of love, may we never lose the wonder – the wonder of the Cross.

We had over 120 participants from more than 49 churches.

2009 – “The Sacrifice”
With fresh new ideas, The Sacrifice looked through the eyes of several followers of Jesus (The Centurion, Peter, Caiaphas, Pilate, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus), witnessing their insights and emotion. The audience experienced a moving and dramatic story of the first-hand remembrances of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and gained a powerful personal perspective on the redeeming sacrifice Jesus paid for us. We had 114 participants from more than 45 churches.

2008 – “The Torch Is Passed”
“The Torch is Passed” had 130 participants, representing over 50 area churches. Based on Deuteronomy 4:9 – “…watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Thus the Gospel of Jesus Christ is passed on from generation to generation.

2007 – “On A Hill Too Far Away”
Our 30th Anniversary production had 107 participants, representing 43 area churches. It was a tremendous blessing to all the Doves this year. This was a repeat of the 2002 production. We have listening CDs available.

2006 – “Eyes of Faith”
A new musical for us, it was a tremendous time of glorifying or Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For 2006, we had 135 people from a record 50 different churches!

2005 – “It is Finished!”
A repeat of the 2000 Dove Singers, this production consisted of 140 people, representing 35 churches. It was a Spirit-filled year, with many people putting their faith in Christ for the first time.

2004 – “Bow the Knee”
Our 27th production consisted of 140 people representing more than 40 different churches. This was our most ambitious project ever!

2003 – “The Borrowed Tomb”
Our 26th production consisted of 145 people representing more than 45 different churches. Drama and dance were major foci of the production.

2002 – “On A Hill Too Far Away”
Our 25th Anniversary production had over 170 participants, representing more than 40 area churches. We also invited previous Dove Singers to join us for the finale of the show and to sing our theme song, “Undivided.” Over 20 previous Dove Singers returned from New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont and from as far away as Pennsylvania and Texas to celebrate our silver anniversary production.

2001 – “Alone On the Altar”
This production represented a major growth year, with 147 participants (60 of them first-time members of the group), representing 44 different churches. The highlight of this production was the entire cast walking “Through the Torn Curtain.”

2000 – “It Is Finished”
This production consisted of 120 people, representing 33 churches. It was also a year marked with several strange occurrences for group members, including a cancer diagnosis, a house fire, a broken ankle and Gayle’s surgery. Through it all, God truly showed his presence to the group.

1999 – “Who Will Call Him King of Kings”

1998 – “The Christ, the Cross, the Crown”
This production consisted of 139 members, representing 41 different churches. The musical was a very serious and somber look at Jesus’ final days on earth. This musical featured the Three Directors Trio – Karen McMillan, Maryanne Sisk and Gayle Troy – as well as a very moving dance interpretation of “No Cross, No Crown” by Cheryl Holbert, and found the cast answering “The Call of Christ.”

1997 – “The Promise”

1996 – “Alone on the Altar”

1995 – “The Victor”
The show we never repeated.

1994 – “Who Will Call Him King of Kings”
This production was highlighted by being the first to feature a live orchestra.

1993 – “Elijah”
Does anyone remember the sinking stage at the Merrimac, MA performance?

1992 – “The Promise”

1991 – “I Am”

1990 – “Life Giver”

1989 – “”Dreamer: What Really Happened to Joseph”

1988 – “Elijah”

1987 – “And There Was Light”

1986 – “I Am”

1985 – “The Witness”

1984 – “Dreamer: What Really Happened to Joseph”

1983 – “Here Comes the Son”

1982 – “And There Was Light”

1981 – “Celebrate Life”

1980 – “The Witness”

1979 – “Here Comes the Son”

1978 – “Celebrate Life”