Betsy Overton is a member of the Liturgical Commission, Diocese of East Carolina and is
Choirmaster, St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Ahoskie, North Carolina.
The East Carolina University School of Music held its second annual Religious Arts Festival January 29-February 2 at Memorial Baptist Church, Greenville, under the direction of Janette Fishell. The theme for this interdenominational festival was "Lift High the Cross." Primary clinicians were David Briggs, director of music at Gloucester Cathedral in England, whose topics were British choral music and improvisational organ playing, and John Horman, a retired public school music teacher who for 27 years has been director of music at Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church in Kensington, Maryland, who spoke about children's choirs, using the Greenville Children's Choir for demonstration.
Growing on the success of last year's festival, subject matter again extended beyond music and included the use of art, flowers, and literature in worship. The Rev. John H. Anglin, minister at Mill Creek Christian Church, issued a call to bring good art to our worship during his sermon at the Vespers service Friday evening. He challenged church musicians to help bring other arts into worship. Through art and music the cross is lifted high. Through art and music congregations can elevate their praise and thanksgiving.
During the festival, participants had a chance to hear the observations, advice, and ideas of inspirational clinicians. Participants were encouraged to share examples of art from their own parishes. David Briggs led conducting and improvisational classes. John Horman demonstrated successful techniques to use with children's choirs.
The musical offerings included a recital by British organist Colin Andrews on the Aeolian-Skinner organ at First Presbyterian Church in Kinston. Selections included works by Bach, Bonnet, Liszt, and a world premiere performance of "Circination," written by composer Mark Alan Taggart. A worship service, "Stations of the Cross: A Journey To, and Through the Cross Via Music, Art and Poetry," was offered Friday night. Charles Chamberlain, professor of art at ECU, displayed his sculptures of Stations of the Cross, commissioned by St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Greenville in 1995. Eight poetry readings in both French and English were each followed by David Briggs' improvisations on the organ.
Saturday concluded with a Hymn and Choral Festival. Mr. Briggs conducted the adult choir singing British anthems, and Mr. Horman directed the children's choir in some of his own compositions as well as others. Dr. Fishell and Mr. Briggs shared organ responsibilities, and ECU faculty member John O'Brien was piano accompanist for the children's choir. This final worship service was enhanced by a spectacular floral display in front of the altar, designed and implemented by Mary Lee Hawse of Wilmington to illustrate the responsive readings.
