Since a tragic car accident took the life of oboe performance major Missy Belton in 1999, it had been the desire of Conservatory faculty to present a concert in Missy’s memory in her hometown. In February, 2010, the desire of the faculty was fulfilled when the Biola Symphony Orchestra and Brass Ensemble traveled to The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, CA, Missy’s high school and hometown.
Over 50 Biola students and faculty members participated in bringing this dream to fruition, with the Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Marlin Owen, and the Brass Ensemble, under the direction of Bob Feller, joining together for the special performance. On a Friday morning and afternoon, the ensembles held clinics with The King’s Academy band and orchestra students. Over the lunch hour a Conservatory ensemble concert was presented for all King’s Academy students, faculty and staff.
That evening, the Brass Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra again joined forces to present a concert in The King’s Academy concert hall. Biola and King’s Academy alumni, friends and family of the Beltons, and current King’s Academy students and their families attended the concert and reception. The program featured the Orchestra and Honors String Quartet performing Smetana, Dvorak, Ginastera, and an unforgettable slide show tribute to Missy with Elgar’s Enigma Variations, “Nimrod” serving as underscore. The Brass Ensemble presented works by Glinka, Grainger, and Brahms. The Orchestra also performed Missing Missy, a piece for English Horn and Orchestra, written by Dr. Robert Denham, composition faculty, in remembrance of the tenth anniversary of Missy’s death.
During the program, Mr. Owen and Mr. Feller shared memories of their relationships with Missy and how her life and tragic passing affected them and others in the Conservatory. Dr. Stephen Belton, Missy's father, addressed the guests with the following words:
As we thought about this evening we were of course blessed by the thought of an event that honored Missy's memory, of an event at which beautiful music that Missy loved so dearly would be performed, that would bring together two of our favorite families - King's and Biola. But also we realized, and know that you do too, that there is so much more to celebrate than this - that there is something that goes far beyond anything of a human dimension. For behind all of these things - whether we're thinking of what a beautiful person Missy was, or how much we miss her, or the beauty of music itself, or the talent of these young musicians from Biola, or the wonder of this place called The King's Academy - behind all of these things is God Himself, the God of the Universe. And it is Him that we must celebrate. And if we have learned anything in these almost eleven years since our loss of Missy it is this: Without Christ, all is lost; yet with Christ, all things are possible - even withstanding the loss of a dear daughter. We've learned about the peace that passes all understanding - for who among us could really have peace in the midst of a daughter lost, except through Christ? We've learned that this only comes by supernaturally placing faith in the solid rock, the suffering servant Himself, the One who bore our stripes, the Christ - the risen Christ - for through Him alone comes the hope of everlasting, eternal life. So tonight we are grateful for this beautiful musical tribute to Missy; yes, we are grateful for every moment of this program. But we must acknowledge even as we say these words that it is Christ alone who brings comfort and peace, it is Christ alone who brings hope and eternal life. He alone is the way and the truth and the life, and it is to Him that we give glory this night. For it is not about King's; and it is not about Biola; and it is not even about Missy - except inasmuch as we celebrate how each one of these - The King's Academy, Biola University, this beautiful gift of music, Missy's life, even us in our grief - how each one continues to declare and bring glory to God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.