13. Be Thou My Vision Deer Creek Quartet

Ray Bender: vocals
Sid Rowland: vocals
Doug Yoder: vocals
Luetta Rupp: vocals

When most people think of states with significant settlements of Mennonites, Iowa may not come to mind. There are, in fact, at least five religious varieties of Mennonites in the state, primarily located in its southeastern counties. The five major groups are the Old Order Amish Mennonites, the Beachy Amish Mennonites, the Conservative Mennonites, the "Old" Mennonites, and the General Conference Mennonites, representing religious traditions and beliefs that range from the most conservative to the most liberal. Musical traditions vary among the various Mennonite groups, but one characteristic feature of much of the sacred music tradition is four-part a cappella singing.

The Deer Creek Quartet from Wellman, representing members from an "Old" Mennonite background, is a strong gospel group that blends the Mennonite tradition of sacred four-part harmony with influences from southern gospel. The group's leader, Sid Rowland, explains that the tradition of gospel music within his church has been a cappella singing but that currently there is a greater use of the piano for accompaniment. Members of the Deer Creek Quartet value the talent of Luetta Rupp on piano, and they also break with the tradition of many gospel groups by integrating her vocals into what historically has been an all-male genre. Recently, they have also incorporated Ray Bender's bluegrass banjo playing into Luetta's piano accompaniment as they continue to expand upon their original style of gospel music.

Many of their selections are from the Mennonite hymnal, but they also draw their repertory from numerous other sources. They consider many of their songs old standards that have been performed by southern gospel groups, and Sid credits the Kingsmen and the Cathedrals with influencing their style of singing. "Be Thou My Vision" is a favorite selection from the Mennonite hymnal, but it is also sung in churches of other denominations. Both the text and the melody are from ancient Ireland, and the quality of the group's vocals is evocative of a cappella singing in monastic orders. Their accurate intonation, flawless harmonies, and precise timing suggest the deep roots that support the tradition of a cappella singing within the state.

Additional recordings:

• Deer Creek Quartet - The Deer Creek Boys
• Deer Creek Quartet - When the Shepherd Comes Home

New Life Sound NL/DCB94
Sid Rowland
1284 520th St. S.W.
Wellman, IA 52356
Phone: 319-656-2021