We are pleased to announce our
Composer Festival plans for 2008. This year's composer is J. Paul Williams. However, unlike other years, our guest in not a composer! J. Paul Williams is a lyricist. Choral music wouldn't be choral music without the words. And Paul has been wordsmithing with many of the best composers in the nation. Not to worry, Mr. Williams is also a noted conductor and is well known for leading choirs in concerts and conferences like ours. We look forward to him being with us.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Festival, let me give you a general outline. It is for adult choir members and directors. For one day, we meet together to rehearse under the direction of the composer, ask questions about the music, and present a concert in the evening. It also affords us an opportunity to meet each other as well as the composer and sing with others who have made the same commitment of singing in worship every Sunday. Its massed singing, massed work, and fun for all!
Please note that we have only one rehearsal: Saturday, October 25, 10:00 - noon. While this is not a requirement for participation, it keeps the festival day free from teaching parts. Please make a commitment to this rehearsal.
FESTIVAL DAY INFO:
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2008
Place: First United Methodist Church, 1589 West Maple Road, Birmingham 48009
Time: See schedule page (pdf)
Concert: 7:30 p.m.
Concert Dress: Your choir robe or what you wear on Sunday.
Concert Tickets: $5.00 for adults (free for Festival singers).
Child Care: Nursery (4 and under) provided for members of the Festival Choir during the concert only.
Please list the child’s name and age on the registration form or call prior to October 19.
Cost: Workshop - $15.00/person; Lunch - $8.50/person.
You may purchase the music on your own, or as of Sept. 10, order the copies you need directly from us at a 20% discount. In any event - PERSONS USING PHOTOCOPIED MUSIC WITHOUT PERMISSION WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE.
Even if you personally are not able to attend, please encourage your choir members to come. People who have attended in the past are eager to return. We expect a large number of people to sing and work with Mary McDonald, and space is limited. So register early!
Blessings,
Christopher L. Hall
Director of Music