Musically Speaking – April 2016
2016 is definitely a unique year with Lent and Easter ending in March. Special thanks to the musicians and the congregation for their sharing of talents and support. April will hopefully be a month of beautiful weather and music, as Main Street prepares for its Centennial Anniversary celebration on Sunday, May 8.
I am so excited about the music for this special occasion, and I would like to share some of the plans.
Main Street will have a brass quartet (two trumpets and two trombones) and a flute joining the choir and organ for the service. Musical selections include Sigfrid Karg-Elerts “Praise The Lord with Drums and Cymbals” for organ and brass quartet; as well as the Paul Manz setting of the hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” scored for choir, congregation, brass quartet, flute, and organ.
However, the highlight of the music will be the commissioned anthem that Main Street has secured for the celebration. Columbia composer Larry Shackley has written an anthem just for the celebration that will have the following dedication:
“Commissioned for the Centennial Anniversary of the
Sanctuary of Main Street United Methodist Church,
Dillon, South Carolina, May 8, 2016.”
The anthem is entitled “I Am Coming Soon” and is based on words adapted from
Revelation 1:17-18, 22:12-21, a text selected by our minister, The Reverend Bruce Sayer.
The text is as follows:
“Behold, I am coming soon,
bringing my reward.
I am the living one;
I was dead, but behold I am
alive forevermore.
He is Alpha and Omega,
the First and the Last.
He is Alpha and Omega,
the Beginning and The End.
Blessed are those who wash their robes
that they might enter through the gates
into the city, and to the tree of life.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to
testify these things to you.
I am the root and the off-spring of David,
and the bright and morning star!
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come,”
and let the one who hears say, “Come.”
Let the one who is thirsty come and
drink of the water of life.
He is Alpha and Omega,
the First and the Last.
He is Alpha and Omega,
the Beginning and the End.
Blessed are those who wash their robes
that they might enter through the gates
into the city, and to the tree of life.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Come, Lord Jesus,
Amen! Amen!”
The anthem is scored for a tenor soloist, choir, brass quartet, organ, and trumpet enchimade.
In the words of the composer: “I am pleased to deliver the first draft of your commissioned piece, ‘I Am Coming Soon.’ I believe that it captures the majesty and excitement of the Revelation text about the return of Christ.”
“Because of the text, this piece does not follow a traditional verse/chorus format. Here is a general outline:
1. Fanfare introduction featuring brass and the organ enchimade trumpet.
2. Tenor solo based on the words of Jesus found in Revelation 22:12. To balance this section, I also brought in phrases from Christ’s first address to John in Revelation 1:17-18.
3. In measure 18, the choir enters with the text of verses 13-14, change to the third person: “He is Alpha and Omega…”, etc.
4. Contrasting section: The tenor continues with the words of Jesus found in verse 16.
5. The choir re-enters in measure 51, with three repetitions of an eight-bar phrase using the text of verse 17. (The melody brings back the opening fanfare motif.)
A. First time: men only
B. Second time: soprano, alto, tenor, bass (SATB)
C. Third time: (modulating up): (SATB) with tenor obbligato, “I am coming soon!”
6. Repetition of the “He is Alpha and Omega” chorus, with a majestic coda based on verse 20: “Come, Lord Jesus, Amen!” The total performance time is about 4 minutes 30 seconds.”
Please mark your calendars and make plans now to be a part of this momentous time in the history of Main Street United Methodist Church. A centennial birthday is truly an anniversary to celebrate!
Thank you for the privilege of serving!
Robin
