Though David Penner, a former San Gabriel Academy (SGA) principal, could not attend the farewell reunion concert hosted by the Temple City church for Calvin Knipschild, his letter encapsulized the afternoon’s theme.

Now president of Newbold College, Penner wrote, “The chorale was not just a job for you, it was your dream, your passion and your very life.” He gratefully acknowledged the gifts of music ministry and laughter engendered by SGA’s retiring music director and Bible teacher.

From 80 to 100 chorale members spanning 31 years of Knipschild’s music-teaching career joined current chorale members for the afternoon of music, orchid leis and Kleenex, as tears flowed and laughter erupted. The event concluded with a prolonged standing ovation.

Knipschild and his wife, Linda, were joined by their son, Erich, who had flown in from Washington, where he teaches physical education at Columbia Adventist Academy and is personally active in concert ministry. Their daughter, De Anne, flew in from Las Vegas to sing with the chorale, then flew back to sing with the “With Praise” group.

“Knippy” cherishes memories of the event and the expressions of appreciation, but appears anything but retired. “I am so used to living off the 'go, go, go' attitude of Southern Californians that it’s not seeming that way at all,” he said. “I know one thing: I am going to miss being around the students because it has been so much a part of my life; I love to promote Adventist youth.”

Asked what he feels contributed to the chorale’s success and reputation, Knipschild remarked, “For 35 years I have emphasized that every song is centered on the Lord, not on the performers. For that reason, I call what we do ‘worship services,’ not concerts. From 80 to 90 percent of the comments we received were that the services were a true worship experience.

“I want to bring the Holy Spirit and then get out of His way; to find some way to present the character of Jesus Christ in every song. I am intent on music as ministry.

“Chorale members were powerfully affected,” he added, “when they saw how they could affect someone through a song cemented in the ministry concept. I saw teens with tears in their eyes because they had seen adults in the congregation wiping away tears while listening to them sing. When we put the Holy Spirit in music, it makes a difference.”

Lily Beth Everdome, a former chorale member and ’94 SGA graduate, will succeed Knipschild as the new SGA chorale director, much to her former teacher’s delight.

All of Knipschild’s academy teaching has been in the Southern California Conference, at Glendale and San Gabriel Adventist academies. Known widely as a music director, he recalled with gratitude that Chuck Watkins, then principal of Glendale Adventist Academy, “brought me in from security and bus driving to teach one class of Bible. Since then I have taught more Bible classes than music.” In retirement, Knipschild will be teaching choral music at Loma Linda Academy for grades 7-12.

One aspect of Knipschild’s music career that is not at all retired, he noted, is his direction of Christian Edition, a 23-voice men’s faith ministry that travels widely and is completely booked through 2005. The group’s latest album, “Midnight Cry,” is available from Christianedition.com. Christian Edition will sing in the main auditorium at the General Conference Session in St. Louis in 2005.