Church Music Seminar XII called success

Winnipeg

Musicians from all over North America and beyond assembled at Canadian Mennonite Bible College Feb. 10-16 for a rich musical experience. Much was learned through listening, practice and performance at the Church Music Seminar XII sponsored by the music departments of CMBC and Concord College.

Workshops were held on topics ranging from worship planning to international music. The lectures were informative and inspiring, and included discussion on the subject of music's role in worship with creativity and originality.

The Seminar Choir, under the direction of world-renowned conductor Robert Shaw, had made for intense rehearsals, and two wonderful performances of Schubert's Mass in E-Flat and Poulenc's Gloria. Both performances, which took place at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg were accompanied by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

A review in the Winnipeg Free Press, which gave the Saturday evening performance of the 270-voice choir a four-star rating, described it as "flawless" and "radiant". Shaw, a 13-time Grammy award winner, has travelled here several times during the past two decades to work with Mennonite choirs. On several occasions during rehearsals and pre-concert warm-ups he expressed his appreciation for the rich musical heritage and solid faith of the Mennonite people.

Another highlight of the seminar was the series of workshops and plenary sessions led by Alice Parker which covered the areas of hymn singing, composition and arranging. Parker also conducted singing during worship, and directed the Manitoba premiere of her composition, "That Sturdy Vine".

Performing the piece were students and alumni from CMBC and Concord College joined by The Seminar Youth Choir, soprano soloist Mary Jane Chausse, and various instrumentalists. The text of "That Sturdy Vine" is based on poetry by Jean Janzen who also led workshops at the seminar and participated in the worship sessions. Emphasized throughout the seminar were the importance of text, and the idea of music as a vehicle to direct people's thoughts to God and to invite God to people.

After a week of musical, intellectual and spiritual inspiration, participants of the Church Music Seminar were left with a challenge--to return to their home communities and churches and stimulate new musical enthusiasm.

Jen Thiessen

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