Since the fall of 2016, I have sung with Sonnenberg Station under the direction of Tim Shue. Last evening, Tuesday, March 19th, 2019, was Tim’s last concert to serve as director. He will be sorely missed. It was a privilege to be associated with such a class act. His wit, charm, humor, integrity, passion for music, and love of his colleagues and students is highly contagious.
I have multitudes of wonderful memories of evenings in rehearsal where we laughed ourselves to tears, but also of more difficult times where we shared tears of grief in support of our fellow musicians. For example, one Monday evening, all of the guys arrived to find that Tim had brought along his fuzzy, four-legged friend, Reinhart. Reinhart was full of energy that evening, and, as young, male dogs occasionally do, Reinhart showed a special affinity for Tim’s leg, all evening. So while the group attempted to master our repertoire, we had to do so amid outbursts of laughter, due to Tim having to simultaneously direct and wrestle an “excited” pup off his leg. This proved to be quite an evening to remember.
Tim is always quick to joke at someone else’s expense but laughs even harder when it’s at his own. He cares deeply for his community, and I have seen him walk on water (ok, it was a shallow puddle and it was more like him “stepping in it,” but still…). I will miss spending my Monday evenings with him, but yet, I also wish him the very best as he moves on from this “song” in his life’s musical folder. I will always reflect on these past several years with fondness and consider them as the best of times in the “good ol’ days” that were spent among friends.
I look forward to what the future holds as Sonnenberg Station inaugurates Tim 2.0, that is, Tim Yoder, who happens to be one of my best friends. Tim (Yoder) has taken up the mantle to lead Sonnenberg Station onto the next stage of our musical journey, and I have complete confidence that there are many grand times ahead.
Shaun Rufener, Sonnenberg Manager