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MemChurchMusic Wednesdays: A Concert of American Music

MemChurchMusic Wednesdays!

Each week, we will post music from the Harvard University Choir on our website and social media. Enjoy!

A Concert of American Music to Celebrate the Reopening of Harvard Memorial Church. Howard Hanson (1896-1981): Concerto for Organ, Strings and Harp. Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor. March 5, 2017 at Harvard Memorial Church.

Stephen Paulus (1949–2014): The full performance of The Three Hermits (1997) a church opera in one act. Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor; David McFerrin (Bishop); Clare McNamara (Mother). (Icon image courtesy of Guirguis Boktor, Coptic Art Studio). 23 October 2016.

Stephen Paulus (1949–2014): Scene 1, Part 6: The Three Hermits (1997) a church opera in one act. Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor; David McFerrin (Bishop); Clare McNamara (Mother). (Icon image courtesy of Guirguis Boktor, Coptic Art Studio). 23 October 2016.

Stephen Paulus (1949–2014): Scene 1, Part 5: The Three Hermits (1997) a church opera in one act. Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor; David McFerrin (Bishop); Clare McNamara (Mother). (Icon image courtesy of Guirguis Boktor, Coptic Art Studio). 23 October 2016.

Stephen Paulus (1949–2014): Scene 1, Part 4: The Three Hermits (1997) a church opera in one act. Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor; David McFerrin (Bishop); Clare McNamara (Mother). (Icon image courtesy of Guirguis Boktor, Coptic Art Studio). 23 October 2016.

Stephen Paulus (1949–2014): Scene 1, Part 3: The Three Hermits (1997) a church opera in one act. Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor; David McFerrin (Bishop); Clare McNamara (Mother). (Icon image courtesy of Guirguis Boktor, Coptic Art Studio). 23 October 2016.

 

Stephen Paulus (1949–2014): Scene 1, Part 2: The Three Hermits (1997) a church opera in one act. Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor; David McFerrin (Bishop); Clare McNamara (Mother). (Icon image courtesy of Guirguis Boktor, Coptic Art Studio). 23 October 2016.

 

Stephen Paulus (1949–2014): Scene 1, Part 1: The Three Hermits (1997) a church opera in one act. Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor; David McFerrin (Bishop); Clare McNamara (Mother). (Icon image courtesy of Guirguis Boktor, Coptic Art Studio). 23 October 2016.

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Tough Talk from Weak Men

By Jonathan L. Walton

Charlottesville 20170812
Photo: Associated Press

“The past is not dead. It’s not even the past.” –William Faulkner

Last week the President of the United States employed tough talk in response to the escalating tension with North Korea. “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States,” Trump declared from his New Jersey golf resort. “They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.” Diplomats from many sides found his threat troubling. Yet rather than toning down his rhetoric, the President took to twitter to declare that the United States is “locked and loaded.” One might call this his John Wayne approach to international relations. Read more about Tough Talk from Weak Men

The Divine Journey: A Painter's Mission

Vermont Artist Janet McKenzie is challenging the traditional iconography of sacred art in her paintings depicting images of Jesus, Mary and other Christian figures. By using the forms of women and people of color she is expanding the diversity of culture, race and gender into the iconography of religious art historically dominated by images of males and light skin.

In 2016, McKenzie was commissioned by Harvard Memorial Church to create a painting for the renovated student and common space on the ground level of the historic church. The painting, “The Divine Journey – The Companions of Love and Hope” is the result of more than six months of work in her small studio in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Read more about The Divine Journey: A Painter's Mission

A remarkable year

Choirmaster Edward Jones rehearses with University Choir at Paine Hall

By Edward E. Jones

It has been a remarkable year for the Memorial Church, during which the Harvard University Choir has flourished. Due to the renovation project, the Fall Term was spent in diaspora: services and performances were held in a wide variety of venues, each with their own challenges and benefits. The choir and the music program have grown as a result of our peregrinations.

Auditions for the choir were held in the opulent surroundings of the Paine Hall — the music department’s concert hall, named for the first University organist and choirmaster — which became home-base for our weekly rehearsals. Read more about A remarkable year

A family in fellowship

Professor Jonathan L. Walton

By Professor Jonathan L. Walton

“I am writing you little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of God’s name. I am writing to you fathers, because you have known God since the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you.” (I John 2:12-14)

The New Testament book of I John is a profound pastoral letter. The author, known simply as the elder, reminds an early community of Jesus followers of their beliefs—God is light and love. He reminds them of their objectives—to have fellowship with God is to walk in God’s light and love. Read more about A family in fellowship