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Friday choral program to celebrate diversity
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
Music often adds an ethereal element to worship services as it stirs the soul.
How different faith traditions incorporate music into services reflects a wide-ranging diversity.
Those who appreciate their own church choir and are curious about other church music will have a chance to hear choirs of four faith traditions during an event planned by Mahoning Valley Association of Churches (MVAC).
“How Can I Keep from Singing” is the theme of a choral program planned at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Third Baptist Church, 1177 Park Hill Drive.
Elsie Dursi, MVAC director, said the board of the organization proposed a different kind of gathering. Dursi often attends church services of other denominations, and the question she’s most asked by her fellow church and choir members is about another church’s choir.
“There’s curiosity,” she said of a choir’s choice of music and presentation. “Though we may share Christianity, worship is quite different among the denominations.”
The event will give choirs of Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations a chance to share their music. Dursi noted that the focus will be on music but it will be in the framework of a worship service with prayer and Scripture. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit MVAC projects. Light refreshments will follow the event.
Dursi said MVAC envisions the choral event as something it would sponsor on a regular basis if the first is successful.
Cynthia Mason, choir director for 25 years at Third Baptist Church, said, “Music is an expression of faith.”
Mason, a lifelong member of Third Baptist, credited her mother, the late Edna Pincham, with instilling a love and interest in music in her. Though she has no degree in music, Mason said she’s been involved in school and church choirs. She directs the children’s choir and the adult inspiration choir.
“Music can set the tone for receiving the word,” Mason said. She noted that the Rev. Dr. Morris W. Lee, pastor, often selects the hymns, anthems, spirituals and Gospel music. The music, Mason said, often harmonizes with the sermon and Scripture.
“I’m Gonna Sing ’Til the Spirit Moves My Heart” is an example of a spiritual that the choir sings.
“Spirituals evolved from the time of slavery. ... People didn’t care about time — they were just trying to persevere and get through to the next day,” Mason said.
Mason said she believed that “music says something different to each person.” So the choral event will be a smorgasbord of sound for those in attendance.
Larry Harris, director of music and organist at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., said the choir is participating and will sing “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” “It’s a standard hymn in the Protestant church,” he said, adding that the tone is reflective.
Harris said the Presbyterian Church has a “great heritage” of music, and the choir, which numbers between 18 and 22 people, is looking forward to sharing it at the choral event.
“Music reflects the gamut of emotions ... for a wedding, funeral,” he said, noting that music also may mirror the minister’s message and time of year. He said that at First Presbyterian, he works closely with the Rev. Nick Mager on musical selections.
Harris, a professor of music at Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, said he looks at the lyrics and their meaning first, then the music.