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Choral Festival will praise God through music
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St. Christine’s Church adult choir and choral group led by Ron Goulish practice. The group is participating in the third annual choral festival sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches. Also participating for the first time at the event will be members of the American Guild of Organists. The festival will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday at St. Christine Church in Youngstown. The ecumenical event provides an opportunity for people from different faith traditions to enjoy various styles of worship.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
Youngstown
Mahoning Valley Association of Churches’ Choral Festival entertains with choirs from various denominations and educates in how different faith traditions praise God through song.
The third annual festival will add another element with participation by the American Guild of Organists. It will be 6 p.m. Sunday at St. Christine Church.
Elsie Dursi, now retired executive director of MVAC, said the choral festival originated during a board discussion about fundrasisers and programs. She said MVAC sought out choirs “from congregations with diverse worship styles so we could enjoy each others’ music and perhaps learn new ways to worship.”
Dursi credited June Ewing, a MVAC member, with the idea.
The Rev. Rebecca Richie, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Canfield, is coordinator of this year’s ecumenical festival. “I had an interest in it. Choirs are a part of worship,” she said.
The Rev. Ms. Richie said the program will be a combination of choral performances, prayer, reading from Scripture and organ music. There will be men’s choirs from St. John Orthodox and Grace African Methodist Episcopal churches, both in Warren, and coed choirs from First Presbyterian Church and the host church, St. Christine. “It’s a nice variety,” she said.
The Rev. Christopher Cicero, parochial vicar at St. Christine, will give the welcome and invocation. The Rev. Bob Bonnot, MVAC board president, also will give remarks and prayer.
Tim Elder, director of music at Lord of Life, is working with Ms. Richie on the festival in which he will participate. He will play “Fanfare” by John Cook, which is based on Psalm 81. Elder also is subdean (vice president) of the American Guild of Organists.
Other organists who will play are Adam Zagotti of Trinity United Methodist Church, “Carillon” (from 24 Pieces) by Louis Vierne; Dallas Goodworth of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Hermitage, Pa.; and Ron Goulish, director of music at St. Christine, “Sonatina” for flute and organ by Telemann, with Kim Russell, flutist.
“Though we all have our own faith traditions and styles, we all praise God through the music,” Elder said about the common denominator.
Goulish got involved through Elder, a fellow member of the American Guild of Organists. St. Christine’s adult choir and choral group also will participate.
“I’m excited because this is a great opportunity for the different faith traditions to show the variety and for us to experience other styles,” he said.
A member of the guild for some 20 years, Goulish said organists appreciate the chance to hear other musicians play. “It helps expand your own repertoire, and you hear different techniques.” He added, “It can be a real education.”