MURFREESBORO — Chowan
University will host four local church choirs for a festival on Saturday,
February 6th. Choirs will rehearse that day under the direction of Gregory
Parker, professor of music at Chowan, and present a concert that evening.
“This is a great opportunity
for choir members to grow in their musicianship and to enjoy fellowship with
singers from other churches,” said Parker, also the Chair of Chowan
University’s Department of Music.
Parker went on to say that
choral singing is corporate worship, where individuals are not singled out.
Chowan University photo Chowan University will host four church choirs Feb. 6. |
“We want to promote choral
singing in the corporate worship lives of our congregations. Too much emphasis
on individual soloists in worship experiences can develop an entertainment
mentality in worship,” Parker explained, “Implying that only those who are
‘good enough’ should sing. Through choral singing, those with much talent and those
with little unite heart, mind, and voice in praise of God.”
Choirs from Eureka Baptist
Church in Corapeake, First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, First Baptist Church of
New Bern, and Murfreesboro Baptist Church will participate in this year’s
festival, with the choirs from Ahoskie, New Bern and Murfreesboro singing on
their own.
All choirs will combine to
perform “Walk as Children of Light” by Daniel Kallman, “O Sacred Head, Now
Wounded,” arranged by Joel Raney, and “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,”
arranged by Mark Hayes. Also, Cantare, the chamber vocal ensemble from Chowan
University, will sing two selections to open the concert.
The concert will begin at
7:00 pm in Turner Auditorium, located in the McDowell Columns Building. The
doors to the auditorium will open at 6:30 pm for seating, and admission to the
concert is free.
For more information about
the concert or the Department of Music at Chowan University, contact us at
(252) 398-6236 or at [email protected].