The St. Peter's September 22 Hymn Sing began with a rousing rendition of "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" (Hymn # 450 in the 1982 Hymnal). By the time the evening concluded with "Almighty Father, Strong to Save" (Hymn # 579), the St. Peter's Choirs and the Hymn Sing audience had sung the hymns that received the most votes in the recent St. Peter's Favorite Hymn Election.
The Hymn Sing, presented by the St. Peter's Music Program in thanks and gratitude for the parish's support of the pipe organ renovation campaign, featured a variety of hymns and hymn arrangements. Don Witman, Music Director, and the Adult Choir led the Hymn Sing, and the audience also joined in the singing of St. Peter's favorite hymns. In addition to the favorite hymns from the 1982 Hymnal, the Adult Choir also presented medleys of hymns from the "Wonder, Love and Praise" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing" hymn collections. Kim Pensinger Witman provided commentary on the texts, tunes, and writers and composers of the hymns on the Hymn Sing program.
The Youth Choir and the Handbell Choir, directed by Emily Koons, were also featured at the Hymn Sing. The evening featured a variety of instruments - organ, piano, handbells, trumpet, French horn, and recorders. The Hymn Sing marked the concert debut of the St. Peter's Handbell Choir, which will also perform at the Brass, Bells and Pipes concert on April 6, 2008. The Hymn Sing was the last concert for the pipe organ before the organ is dismantled in early October 2007 as part of the pipe organ renovation project. The renovated pipe organ will be featured in the April 6 Brass, Bells, and Pipes concert.
The Hymn Sing evening began with a wonderful potluck dinner, coordinated by the Fellowship Commission. The Hymn Sing potluck was the first St. Peter's parish dinner to be held outside on the parish's new patio area.
Would you like to know which hymns are at the "top of the charts" at St. Peter's? Check this list of the hymns sung at the Hymn Sing, as well as the complete results of the Favorite Hymn Election (all the hymns that received at least one vote in the election).
Check the 2007 - 2008 Concert Gallery for Hymn Sing photos and a Hymn Sing slideshow.
If you're interested in comparing St. Peter's favorite hymns with the favorites from across the Anglican Communion, AnglicansOnline.com conducted a poll of its readers in 2003. The results were published as The Top 20 Desert Island Hymns of Anglicans Online Readers.
September 25, 2007 More News . . .