Our journey through Hobart, Launceston, and Melbourne has left us with so many memories and unforgettable moments. Here, you can read band member's thoughts on the Australian tour that transformed all of us. See postings below:

From the Northwestern College Symphonic Band:

The most memorable part of the Australia tour is our homestay in Launceston [Tasmania]. We played a concert at the beautiful St. John’s Church. Our host dad repeatedly told us the affect it had on him and the rest of the audience. It was very encouraging to see Jesus using our music for a greater purpose. 
-Joanna Gunderson (senior), bassoon

I have been a part of the preparation for this trip for the last year and a half through prayer and planning some of the logistical details. Yet, when the trip finally came, I did not feel ready. I was burnt out after a very difficult semester and my heart was far from being in the right place to travel half way across the world to be a minister of the gospel. Looking back now, I see the Lord’s tremendous faithfulness through this entire trip. He has sustained me. He has directed my path through this trip and I have confidence that He used me to honor and glorify Him, despite my often feeling inadequate. This trip has reminded me that God uses me wherever I am at, even in my weakest points. I consider it a great privilege to have been able to serve the Lord alongside my closest friends for the last two and a half weeks in Australia. God taught me many things about myself and the calling He has given me which will help shape much of the future He has for me. This trip has been a blessing to me and I pray that I was a blessing to others.
-Matthew Selby (junior), percussion

A big part of this tour for me was meeting so many people everywhere we went. From the person sitting next to me on the plane, to our bus driver, to my home stay family, to people seeing the same sights as we did, all of these people gave us opportunities to witness. I was able to have discussions about theological issues with non-Christian home stays. I know our bus driver in Melbourne was impacted by our vision and prayers. After Monte said good-bye to us [in Melbourne], the bus driver commented on how Monte had such a great personality. He said there was something different about him, about the whole group. With every person we meet there is an opportunity to show God’s presence to them. God was very present on this tour.
-Kim Carlson (sophomore), clarinet

Tour was such a great experience. I had so much fun hanging out with everyone and getting to know people more. It was also amazing just getting to know the people of Australia through our home stays. At the Victoria Street Market in Melbourne, myself and some other band members talked to the man at the AFL gear stand. He ended up coming to our concert that night, which was at the Salvation Army Church. He gave the lady at the church his information, so who knows if he will now go to church. It is awesome to think that we will never know the extent of the impact we made.
-Jana Schumann (junior), flute

Our tour in Australia was such an amazing experience. I was continually blessed by all the people we met. I really admire the lifestyle and hearts of the people over in Tasmania. So many of the people I meet just seem to enjoy every moment in life and cherish what they have. I was absolutely in awe of all of the scenery wherever we went, but especially in Tasmania. Seeing a different part of God’s creation on the opposite side of the world was such a good reminder of how great our God is. For the longest time and throughout the trip, Monte stressed the point that we may never see or know whose life we touched and what kind of impact we had over in Australia. This is so true and something I am going to try to be intentional about in prayer.
-Laura Stenzel (sophomore), percussion

To me, the people of Australia and Tasmania were very friendly. I especially enjoyed interacting with the Tasmanian school children. For about a half an hour, we compared accents by asking each other how certain words were pronounced. God showed up in some pretty sweet ways, too. On the first afternoon we arrived, we toured a mountain called Mount Wellington. When we got near the top, we saw a beautiful rainbow hanging low, just above the trees. I took it as a welcome from God, as well as a reminder from Him that even though we were so far from home, he was still there with us. God also provided very large audiences for us – especially when we were in Tasmania. When we played at St. John’s church, we had over 400 people attend. It was neat that God led so many people to the Church that might hear us worship Him!
-Nathan Fowler (sophomore), percussion

As someone not part of the band, but accompanying the tour, it was encouraging to me to watch those “ministering” – NWC students and those in leadership – and those being “ministered to” – students in the workshops, families in the home stays and directors of other groups. It was great to enjoy each concert. Not expecting to ever visit Australia, it was such an opportunity to get to know a bit of each area visited, as well as the country’s history.
-Mona Grellson, Executive Secretary to Northwestern College President Alan Cureton

Our tour to Australia was an amazing time of seeing God at work and building relationships. We enjoyed adapting to the Australian culture (driving on the “wrong” side of the road), exploring cities and petting native animals. The workshops we did with different bands pulled my heart to make me want to impact lives through teaching and building relationships. The bright faces of kids greeted us at each workshop. Their excitement to have us there showed me how much of an impact you can have on a person’s life, even if you just sit next to them in one rehearsal. The learning and enjoyment that went on in those workshops made me extremely excited to be a band director in the near future and work with kids to show them the hope and love of Christ. This tour has affected my life in many ways. God has pulled me closer to Himself, given me close friendships with band friends, and encouraged me to actively impact lives. God has been present in every part of it and has given us the opportunity to come back [home] knowing that it was completely for His glory.
-Bethany Olson (senior), clarinet

Staying at the home stays gave me such an appreciation of peoples’ generosity. I feel as though many of these people touched my life and left a bigger impact on me than I did on them. The opportunity to work with younger students was incredible, especially when we gave the concert to the first group of primary students. By far, my favorite concert was that first one: we had an opportunity to inspire the kids, and they were so inspired that they clapped along with us and conducted along with Monte. The smiles on those childrens’ faces were beyond priceless.
-Anonymous

Putting God first was something I really struggled with more than ever [on tour] and am still struggling with. God has been showing me that if He is put first, everything else will fall into place and His blessings never fail to amaze me! The concerts were very Spirit-filled and with the mindset of worshipping god and reflecting God’s love to our believing and nonbelieving audiences, Jesus Christ was glorified!
-Annabel Naglak (freshman), trumpet

The beauty of Tasmania struck me the moment I saw it outside of the plane window. Seeing God’s creativity and His glory through His creation was an experience I will never forget. As a band I feel we grew closer together. Everyone really enjoyed each other and had great attitudes. I could feel God’s presence throughout the trip. It was evident that His hand upon us. Our concerts went well; God’s hand was there too. We had several comments on people feeling there was a Spirit present (although most didn’t acknowledge it was God’s Spirit). This was a direct answer to prayer. We had prayed that God’s Holy Spirit would come and be evident through the music that we played, and He showed up in a might way.
-Anonymous

Our time as the Salvation Army impacted me more than I would have guessed. I could feel the Lord changing my heart and giving me a real compassion for people and not just verbal compassion but something that desires to be acted upon. The neatest thing I was reminded of on tour is that this band is not only about music; it is about living in fellowship and compassion together for the glory of God, using music along the way.
-Andrea Needham (freshman), flute and piano

Tour was an incredible testament to the glory of God. It was definitely a time when the Lord made Himself known through the protection during our travels, in our gracious billets, the incredible scenery, and in the music of our concerts. One of the greatest testaments to me was the knowledge of everyone’s prayers for the tours – both in the U.S. and “Down Under.” The prayers shielded us from danger, bad attitudes, and kept our hearts compassionate to those around us. In going [to Australia], our main goal was that Christ was glorified. One of the most poignant memories comes from when Marlys [Allard] and I shared with two girls at our home stay about what it meant to play for “An Audience of One.” The oldest asked what it meant and I explained that when we practice, rehearse, or perform our music, we don’t do it for the audience that will come or even for ourselves, but that our first and foremost goal is to play it for God. She thought about it and then replied, “You really are Christians, aren’t you?” It was such a testament to how the Lord can use us and our music for His glory if we are willing.
-Sarah Zerbe (senior), trombone and piano

The most incredible moment on tour for me was actually worshiping and sharing with the congregation of St. John’s Church in Launceston. Many students were able to participate in the service. A few of us joined their worship team, the brass ensemble played, and Karl and I were able to share with the church. We didn’t know this beforehand, but the time in the service when we shared was the children’s portion of the service. God led this in a miraculous way. Karl shared some of the vision of the band and God led me to sing a song for the congregation: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.” After I sang, the children left for their Sunday School lesson. After the service, their Sunday School teacher came up to me and told me about the lesson. He asked the kids what I had been singing about and they answered, “Jesus.” He pressed them further by asking, “Why was he singing?” One of the kids answered, “He knew that Jesus died for him.” This brought tears to my eyes. I am not saying this to build myself up but to show that Jesus is Lord and that He will impact people’s lives. That is what the Northwestern College Symphonic Band is about. We want others to come to a realization about Jesus through the many aspects of band, not through our own strength, but through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
-Peter Swanson (senior), euphonium