THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996 TAG: 9607040182
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENNETT, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 79 lines
``Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.'' (Ephesians 5:18-19).
In answering this call, professional ministers of music from here and afar, will gather for the Church Music Summer Conference Sunday through July 12 at the Center for Sacred Music at Virginia Wesleyan College. A concert and two worship services will be open to the public.
Dudley Oakes, artistic director of the Center for Sacred Music, will open the week with an organ concert at First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk at 4 p.m. Sunday. Tuesday's program features Anton Armstrong, who has conducted and lectured throughout North America, Europe, Australia and the Caribbean, directing a 90-member mass choir at 7:30 p.m. at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church. On the last conference day, July 12, Kempsville Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach hosts the Children's Festival Worship at 7:30 p.m.. There, international youth music specialist Helen Kemp leads a 55-member children's choir. Local ministers deliver spiritual messages at each service.
While services will be enjoyable, the workshop is designed to be educational. During the six-day event held for the 10th year, ``practicing church musicians will discover creative approaches to the challenging role of music leadership in their local churches,'' said Sandra Billy, director of the Center for Sacred Music.
One of three annual workshops, the summer conference allows church musicians to learn from internationally known musical performers and conductors in an intimate setting, she said. Leaders from varied denominations will orchestrate this year's sessions on sacred music, which Billy defines as music that is holy and designed specifically for worship, rather than personal pleasure or entertainment.
Church musicians often juggle a wide range of responsibilities, she added. They oversee children's choirs, play for church choirs, decide on music for worship services.
Most conference days start with an open-chapel style morning prayer by the Rev. Scott Davis, VWC chaplain, under the shade of trees near the parking lot of the Fine Arts Building.
Participants will hear lectures about topics such as how temperament affects performance and creating computerized tunes. Deborah Carr, director of music at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, will discuss writing music by computer. Kevin McChesney, winner of the National American Guild of English Handbell Ringers Composition contest, will teach handbell techniques. Steven Cooksey, professor of organ and church music at Shenandoah Conservatory, will lecture on the organist's role in church services. Editor of two revisions of the Methodist Hymnal, Carlton Young will lecture on pastoring through music.
``It's a divine calling,'' Billy said. ``Just as some are called to preach the gospel, some are called to sing it.''
Approximately 165 professionals from as far north as New York, west as Tennessee and south as South Carolina are expected. This gathering also provides a good opportunity for the artists to socialize and exchange personal stories and ideas, Billy said. Over time, the event has become ``like a family reunion for those who come every year.'' Many local and regional ministers will participate too.
``It's an mountaintop experience that helps you remember why you chose this profession,'' Billy said.
The Center for Sacred Music also offers additional programs in musicianship for beginners to advanced performers, as well as church music certification. MEMO: For information or to register for the conference, call 455-3376. ILLUSTRATION: Anton Armstrong
Directing mass choir
Steven Cooksey
On organist's role
Helen Kemp
Leading children's choir
Kevin McChesney
Handbell techniques
Carlton Young
Pastoring through music by CNB