July 13, 2022
The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada is inviting you to come and sing at three upcoming public events. As it celebrates its hundredth anniversary during an Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., the Society will be sponsoring three lively hymn festivals that are free and open to the public. If you believe in the power of singing together, you are invited to come and join in the song.
The conference will formally open on Sunday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m., with a festival of African American song led by Stanley J. Thurston at Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St., NW. Well known as a pianist, composer, arranger, and conductor, Thurston is Director of Music Ministries at Foundry United Methodist Church, Artistic Director of The Heritage Signature Chorale, and Artist-in-Residence at Washington National Cathedral.
On Wednesday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m., the conference will feature a festival of Latin American song entitled "¡Que Cante Toda la Tierra! / Let All the Earth Sing!" to be held at the Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St., NW. The event will be led by composer, liturgist, and cultural promoter Carlos Colón, a native of El Salvador who currently serves as Assistant Director for Worship and Chapel at Baylor University; and Peter Kolar, a bilingual composer and classically trained pianist who serves as Editor for Spanish and Bilingual Resources at GIA Publications, Inc., Chicago.
The closing hymn festival of the conference, “Sing the WORLD God Imagines,” will be held on Thursday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m., at National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle, NW. Featuring hymns and songs from around the world, the festival will be led by Michigan organist Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra, a Grammy-nominated performer who thrives as improvisation expert, international concert and recording artist, and award-winning composer, conductor, pedagogue, and author.
These free public events will be held as part of The Hymn Society’s Annual Conference, “Sing the World God Imagines.” The gathering will have an international and multicultural focus, drawing participants from at least eleven countries on six continents. Program and registration information for the full conference can be found at www.thehymnsociety.org
This information is provided by J. Michael McMahon, Executive Director of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, 5 Thomas Circle, NW, 4th floor, Washington, DC 20005-4153. For more information, please contact Dr. McMahon at mike@thehymnsociety.org or 800-843-8966.
