Internationally renowned composer and organist David Hurd will be honored at the 20th anniversary of Rejoicensemble at 4 p.m. on April 10 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, New York.
Hurd has written more than 100 compositions and 55 hymns, antiphons and service music, found in Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing I and II, and Wonder, Love and Praise. He has been on the faculty at General Theological Seminary since 1976 and currently serves as professor of church music and organist.
"David Hurd is one of the most prolific, published African-American composers in the country," said Carl MaultsBy, founder and executive artistic director of Rejoicensemble. Yet he remains "largely unknown to both the African American and general public."
MaultsBy said this made him the "perfect candidate" to reflect Rejoicensemble’s 20-year mission.
Rejoicensemble is a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to commissioning and presenting works of African-American composers as well as increasing the general public awareness of the cultural significance of sacred music of the African Diaspora. It was founded in 1984 by MaultsBy in response to an inquiry by Harry Belafonte for a choral group to close his movie "Beat Street." The ensemble’s repertoire runs the gamut of musical styles from chant to spirituals to gospel to sacred jazz to anthems and art compositions.
He said the event will include performances by the ensemble and the premiere of a Hurd composition commissioned especially for Rejoicensemble called "In Honor of Martin."
"He wrote it in recognition of the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King," said MaultsBy.
This event is free and open to the public but a free-will offering will be taken. For further information call 212.613.0038 or visit: http://www.rejoicensemble.org.
Note: The following titles are available from the Episcopal Book/Resource Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017; 800.334.7626 or 212.716.6118; http://www.episcopalbookstore.org.
To Read: TRUMPET DESCANTS: for 101 Noteworthy Hymns composed and arranged by Lorna Tedesco (Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, New York, 2004, 254 pages, $35.00.)
From the publisher: Are you a church musician or a pastor working with a good amateur trumpeter -- perhaps a high school student -- or with a professional on occasion? If so, then this book is for you. Lorna Tedesco has done a brilliant job of bringing together two descants for 101 familiar and beloved hymn tunes -- from seasonal songs and carols to traditional favorites for the regular Sundays of the church year.
Dr. Lorna Tedesco has Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees, all in piano performance. She has been actively involved in church music for 30 years and for 12 years was pianist for the Charleston, South Carolina, Symphony Orchestra. She is currently music director at Christ Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. This book of descants reflects Dr. Tedesco’s rich and extensive understanding of orchestral writing.
To read: A HYMNTUNE PSALTER: Gradual Psalms the Season after Pentecost by Carl P. Daw, Jr. and Kevin R. Hackett, (Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, New York, 1998, 27 pages, $24.00.)
From the publisher: Responsorial psalmody for congregation and cantor/choir; Psalms and Antiphons appointed for Lectionary Years A, B, C; Congregational antiphon tunes based on familiar hymns; Psalm verses set to simplified Anglican chant; Appendix of Antiphons for cut-and-paste copying.
Carl P. Daw, Jr. is a priest, college professor, musician, and widely published hymn writer. He served on the text committee of The Hymnal 1982, and was later chair of the Standing Commission on Church Music. He is currently Executive Director of the Hymn Society in the U.S. and Canada.
Kevin R. Hackett is a priest, hymn writer, and member of the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His hymn tunes have been published in Wonder, Love, and Praise: a Supplement to The Hymnal 1982, and in collections of other churches.
