violin and film music

Emily Hedrick came to Zion this past Sunday and played several pieces on the violin. I'm a believer in variety in church music and I'm a believer that sometimes popular art can bring some fresh thought to our worship.

In this case I asked her to play the theme from the movie Schindler's List. They story of the film is of a German businessman who, despite himself, ends up saving some of the Jews who work for him, at great risk to himself. That sounds pretty "gospel" to me.

Emily herself chose an arrangement of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and we played another hymn together. As an offertory I had her play "Vocalise" by Rachmaninoff.

She is first chair violin and a senior at Christopher Dock Mennonite. This photo is from a concert last winter.

Dock rock

Last evening I had the pleasure of introducing the Christopher Dock Mennonite High School Touring Choir at the 7 p.m. evening concert. Director Rodney Derstine lead a mostly acappella concert spanning many styles.

This is a choir which has not succcombed to the pop sound. They excell in all the classic vocal and choral skills--great tone, great support, great blending, spirited interpretation.

I said in closing: you can pray without singing but you can't sing without praying. Our own Katie Clough stands middle row far left.