HYMN FESTIVAL AT NORTHMINSTER BAPTIST CHURCH, JUNE 10, 2001

   The 2001 AGO Regional Convention here in Jackson began with a bang.
Approximately 250 organists from all corners of the Southeast and beyond,
combined with many guests, gathered to sing their hearts out at the opening
Hymn Festival. And sing their hearts out they did! Many musicians joined
forces to lead this spectacular opening event. Michael Burkhardt served as
festival leader and organist for the service. The Jackson Choral Society
(directed by Richard Joiner) and the Capital Brass played major roles, as
did a cast of readers under the coordination of Anne Sullivan Brawley. Also
playing important roles were the Joyful Bells handbell choir, directed by
Carol Joy Sparkman and Judy Sclater, recorder. The Reverend Dr.Victoria
Sirota, national chaplain of the American Guild of Organists, served as
Homilist. The service, titled "God's Presence from Age to Age", opened with
Carson Cooman's Jackson Flourish, a fanfare for organ and bugle commissioned
by Jeffrey Klingfuss as a "musical logo" for the Jackson convention.
Performers for its premiere were Wayne Lineham, bugle, and Jeff McLelland,
organ. Burkhardt's "All that Hath Life and Breath" served as the choir
processional and was a wonderful segue into the first hymn, "Praise to the
Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation" (LOBE DEN HERREN). From the outset
it was clear that this would be a highlight of the convention, with all
participants (including the service leaders) singing and playing in a
powerfully joyful manner.

   The festival's theme proved to be very apropos, progressing from
allusions to the Creation in what turned out to be my favorite hymn of the
evening, "Let All Creation Dance" (CREATION'S SONG), through the liturgical
year, and concluding with a look to the future in the fina1 hymn, "O Day
Full of Grace" (DEN SIGNEDE DAG). This hymn produced a most amazing end to
the service, with choir, brass, organ with Trompette-en-Chamade blazing,
and voices of the people joining forces to fill the church with sound. I
thought that Northminster could be on the verge of losing its roof!
Other highlights of the service included the lively Jamaican folk hymn
"Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ" (LINSTEAD) and Kathleen Thomerson's
exceptionally lovely "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" (HOUSTON).
For much of the festival, the hymns (or, in a few cases, anthems) were
preceded and introduced by readings. These readings added much to the
service: wonderful texts were selected, and the readers gave often powerful
dramatic readings. Highlights amongst the readings included Ann Weems's
"Lament Psalm 27," read by Holly Wiggs, and Chris Roebuck's reading of
Bonaventura's "Crucifixion." Especially notable was the reading by Linda
Mannand and Jack McDaniel of the "Exaudet" (an ancient Easter proclamation),
whose stanzas alternated with a chanted proclamation of the Resurrection
by the choir.

   Burkhardt's hymn-playing was exceptional, always creative, and
highlighted well the hymn texts. His introductions were inspiring and
invited the people to sing, and always made clear when it was time for
the congregation to enter. At the conclusion of the service, he played for
a postlude a toccata-like improvisation using the tune ST. ANNE ("0 God our
Help In Ages Past," an appropriate choice for this service, given its theme).
The Reverend Dr. Sirota gave a marvelous homily, splendidly delivered, that
truly underscored the meaning and power of this service. Her comments were
most germane, and showed well the important role that church musicians play,
both from a practical and a spiritual standpoint.

   At several points in this hymn festival, most notably at the end, I
found myself almost in tears. This was a service of incredible beauty and
power, of glorious artistry across the board, from choir to organist to
readers to the gathered multitude of people from lands both near and distant,
who did indeed sing their hearts out.

                                                       - Matthew Whitehouse

Michael Burkhardt was sponsored by Mrs. H. F. McCarty, Jr,
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Sullivan, Jr., and Mr. & Mrs. Terry Wells.
Carson Cooman's commission was provided by Jeffrey Klingfuss.





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