Festival Invitation Letter 2015 4r634f

January 7, 2015 Dear Singer, The purpose of this letter is to invite you to participate in "ing in Song II: A Festival of Hymns and Gospel Music" to be held Saturday, February 7 at 5:00 PM at Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee (choir rehearsal from 9:00am to noon). Following a similar format as last year, a large choir is being assembled for the event that will be comprised of singers from Tallahassee area churches and school music organizations. By singing contemporary African American gospel music, European American hymnody and choral music, and music shared by both traditions – mostly “tried and true” – we hope choir will experience familiar and new repertoire, all the while building community with whom they in song. Brandon Boyd and Ryan Luhrs, who are both FSU doctoral students in choral music and church musicians in the area, are coordinating this year’s festival. Our goals in organizing this event are to encourage new relationships between church groups and ethnicities, provide a quality experience of music that may be within or outside one's tradition, and conduct research on the perceptions of participants. As a result, you will be invited to complete an optional survey at the conclusion of the day’s rehearsal. During the festival itself, the music will be interspersed with brief readings, reflections, and prayers. To some, the event will feel like a worship service, and to others it will feel like a concert. Even though we are drawing from music of the Christian tradition, anybody is welcome to participate or attend. The whole event will last about an hour. There will only be one rehearsal the day of the event from 9:00am to 12:00pm, and the music will be ed out at that time. We anticipate that this program will come together quickly given the accessibility of the music and a handful of strong singers in each section who have already committed to participate. If you participated last year and plan to do so again this year, we encourage you to invite others. Your personal invitation will likely mean much more to potential participants than hearing from us. If you have questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to email. If you are interested in singing in the choir, please email Ryan at [email protected]

Some Additional “Selling” Points: 1. This event simultaneously serves to focus on unity and diversity. We gather as an ecumenical community, but at the same time acknowledge the unique cultural contributions of the African American and European American traditions. of the choir will represent a cross section of much of Tallahassee, bridging age, ethnic, and denominational differences. 2. It’s free! Outside of personal travel expense and bringing a three-ring binder, there is no cost to the singers. There will also be no ission cost for the audience/congregation. 3. This is an opportunity to sing in a large choir for those of you who typically only get to sing in a small group. Planned Choir Selections: Perfect Praise Siyahamba (both languages) Prayer for Peace – Cherwien The Heavens are telling (from “Creation”) – Haydn I Dreamed a World – Thomas My, Lord, What a Morning Planned Congregation Selections: Every Praise is to Our God Praise to the Lord, the Almighty For All the Saints It is well / When Peace like a River God Welcomes All – John Bell Oh, Give thanks to the Lord Schedule: Saturday, February 7

9:00AM-12:00PM 4:00PM 5:00PM

Rehearsal at Bethel AME Warm-up/Touch-up rehearsal Festival of Hymns and Gospel Music at Bethel AME Church 501 West Orange Tallahassee, FL 32314