A wealth of events and renewed friendships will unfold this weekend to celebrate Point Loma Nazarene University’s (PLNU) 2010 Homecoming. But of all the planned activities, one of the ones that will perhaps touch the heartstrings most could be a reunion concert featuring past ensembles of Point Loma Singers and Dr. Myron Tweed, their founding director and longtime mentor, The reunion concert, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 21 at the university’s Crill Performance Hall. The reunion event will honor Tweed on the the 10th anniversary of his retirement, which brought to a crescendo 27 years of teaching and musical mentoring at the university. The Point Loma Singers formed in 1973, giving their first concert the following year. The group is still going strong under the leadership of Dr. Keith Pedersen. Three dozen alumni have signed up to take part on Sunday — although as many as 60 former members may be joining the 21 current members for the reunion concert. “This has been a large undertaking, with the MUSICALumni board taking leadership of the project,” said Beryl Pagan, of the PLNU Music Department. “The PLNU alumni office, as always, has done a great job of helping us find Point Loma alums who would be interested in participating. Dr. Tweed has devoted many years of his life to PLNU and to the Point Loma Singers. We are thrilled to be able to honor him in this way.” She said the event will emphasize the “family” feel of the Point Loma Singers and alumni. “It does feel a bit like a family reunion,” Pagan said. “Our music alumni definitely feel a closeness and loyalty to each other and to their directors. Hours of rehearsing together, performing and often traveling together create a special bond that continues through the years.” Pederson, who sees the relationship firsthand as the current musical director, agrees. “It is a very close-knit group,” Pederson said. “Singers have remained friends through the years and are excited to renew these relationships.” He said the songs chosen for the reunion concert also have a history with the group. “Dr. Tweed chose these as the favorites of the singers over the years,” Pedersen said. “Some have been used in alumni weddings and other important occasions.” Fifteen songs have been selected for the performance, ranging from Mendelssohn’s “Four Sacred Part Songs” to the traditional “Shenandoah.” The draw of former PLNU singers from all over the country is a testament to the special relationship Tweed maintained with his students, Pederson said. Michael J. Ruybalid, now an Oklahoma resident and music education teacher, was a Point Loma singer from 1996 to 2000. He said he’s more than happy to make the trip back to San Diego for the reunion concert. “Dr. Tweed is a very caring individual — almost like a grandfather figure — but (he) gets a great sound out of his choirs,” Ruybalid said. Kansas City resident Kasey Johnson, also an educator and member of the Point Loma Singers from 1996 to 2000, agrees. “Dr. Tweed was more like a grandpa to me than a professor,” she said. “His laugh was infectious and his ability to put a program of theologically sound and entertaining music was always impressive to me.” The former students agreed that lessons extended beyond music. “He was a strong presence in my life when I was searching for direction and purpose,” Johnson said. “He pushed me to discover my voice musically and discover who I was as an educator and a member of my choir and university community. His home and heart was always open to us. I can never thank him enough for being so patient and loving.”   Jonathan Colburn, who graduated in 2000 and is now a worship and creative arts pastor, considers his time in the Point Loma Singers to be a highlight of his time at PLNU. “It was truly an honor to be part of such a high-level vocal ensemble, directed by an artist of Dr. Tweed’s caliber,” Colburn said. “He had an uncanny knack for picking a mix of vocalists, ranging from virtuoso singers at the top of their game to those who needed a little encouragement, and still others who tended to be ‘the life of the party.’” Colburn said the most indelible memory of his tenure with the Point Loma Singers was a tour of Scandanavia. “In addition to singing in some of the most beautiful and archaic cathedrals on earth, I made some memories with friends that I shall have with me for the rest of my life,” Colburn said. A decade after graduating from PLNU, Colburn is still inspired by his time making music at the university and said he and looking forward to the concert. “Quite honestly, I felt as if each week when I stepped in front of Dr. Tweed and began to sing, that I was singing for a master — a true magician at his craft,” Colburn said. “I often walked out of rehearsals in amazement, wondering how he would get the sound out of our group that he was able to produce,” he said. “He was truly a virtuoso as a choral conductor, and I count myself most privileged to have sung for him for four years.” POINT LOMA SINGERS • WHERE: Point Loma Nazarene University, Crill Performance Hall, 3900 Lomaland Drive • WHEN: 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 21. • INFORMATION/TICKETS: www.pointloma.edu/event/point-loma-singers-reunion-concert- dr-myron-tweed