During the month of May, I will be away from the church observing a time of sabbatical. I am so thankful for this opportunity that Broadway offers to ministers every five years. During my sabbatical, I will take time for rest, travel, and to observe other musicians and churches along the way. I look forward to returning to Broadway in June as we host the Jubilate summer tour here at BBC on June 7.

Sunday, March 26, 11 a.m.
Sanctuary

The Chancel Choir will sing Dan Forrest's compelling Requiem for the Living on Sunday, March 26 at 11 a.m., in the sanctuary.

A Requiem, at its core, is a prayer for rest - traditionally, for the deceased. The five movements of Dan Forrest's Requiem for the Living (2013), however, form a narrative just as much for the living, and their own struggle with pain and sorrow, as for the dead. The opening movement sets the traditional Introit and Kyrie texts - pleas for rest and mercy - using ever-increasing elaborations on a simple three-note descending motive.

The second movement, instead of the traditional Dies Irae, sets Scriptural texts that speak of the turmoil and sorrow which face humanity, while yet invoking musical and textual allusions to the Dies Irae. This movement juxtaposes aggressive rhythmic gestures with long, floating melodic lines, including quotes of the Kyrie from the first movement.

The Agnus Dei is performed next (a departure from the usual liturgical order) as a plea for deliverance and peace; the Sanctus, following it, becomes a response to this redemption.
The Sanctus offers three different glimpses of the "heavens and earth, full of Thy glory,” all of which develop the same musical motive: an ethereal opening section inspired by images of space from the Hubble Space Telescope, a stirring middle section inspired by images of our own planet as viewed from the International Space Station, and a closing section which brings the listener down to Earth, where cities teem with the energy of humanity.

The Lux Aeterna, which then closes the work, portrays light, peace, and rest - for both the deceased and the living.

~ Dan Forrest
 

On behalf of myself and the Advanced Choir students at Pleasure Ridge Park High School, we want to thank Broadway for allowing us to use the facilities on January 20 - 21. Between Friday evening and Saturday morning, the students rehearsed 8.5 hours on their Choral assessment repertoire, as well as their upcoming performance of Mozart's Requiem which will take place in Broadway's sanctuary, on May 3. 

This retreat utilized the help of other JCPS choir directors, as well as Music Education students from Morehead State and the University of Louisville. While not rehearsing, the students enjoyed the use of the Family Life Center and gymnasium. All 70 women slept in the yoga room, hallway, and surrounding classrooms. The 28 men were housed in the Friendship hall divided rooms, which also doubled as sectional rehearsal space.  

The highlight of the weekend was their reaction at the first chord sung by all 98 in the chancel. Needless to say, they are very excited about performing at Broadway in May! 

Members of the PRP Choir will also be singing in worship at Broadway on Sunday, February 26. Please come to support these high school students and see the results of the great progress they have already made!

~ Phillip Jennings

Creative Arts Camp
Our 4th annual Creative Arts Camp was held on August 1-4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We had 41 children in attendance this year. The small group classes offered were: Art, Culinary Art, Guitar,  Percussion, Piano, and Pottery.  In addition, they learned several songs and music techniques during the large group class that focused on sacred choral literature for children. We are grateful to all the adults and youth from BBC who gave of their time, energy, and expertise to make Creative Arts Camp a success.