Church music conference set for June at Dawson

For the first time in its history the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference will be meeting in Birmingham at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, June 3-5. The conference will begin with registration/exhibits at 3:30 p.m. and the opening session at 6 p.m.

“The SBCMC is a professional association for Southern Baptist musicians in the areas of local church, educational and denominational affiliations,” explained Mary McDonald, president of the organization. McDonald lives in the Knoxville area and is president of Monarch Music. “Our goals are to provide fellowship through spiritual and musical renewal, to affirm the unique role of church musicians, and to provide a positive influence on music ministry within our convention,” continued McDonald.

Many Alabamians are active in the association with Bill Roper of First Baptist Church, Montgomery, and Bob Hatfield of Dawson having served as president. “We are especially excited to have the conference in Alabama this year,” said Roper.

“It will give Alabama Baptists an opportunity to hear some of the finest musical groups and individuals from across the convention as well as highlighting some very fine groups from Alabama.”

Other program guests include the Alabama All-State Children’s Honors Choir under the direction of Jane Burdeshaw; Jubilate! Youth Choir from Georgia; a reunion choir from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, under the direction of Robert Burton; Tapestry Brass from Florida and numerous guest composers including Camp Kirkland, Cindy Berry and Joseph Martin. “The grand finale will be on Tuesday evening feature a concert of four concert grand pianos and the artistry of Stephen Neilson, Ovid Young, Mark Hayes and Jeff Bennett,” McDonald noted. “All of the sessions are open to the public and the evening sessions begin at 6:45.”

McDonald also stated, “It is our desire to address the changing trends in church music and to offer a diverse program that will interest and benefit all church musicians. This may just be the best 48 hours of music you will experience in Alabama this summer.”

Additional information and an actual schedule of the conference can be obtained by calling the worship leadership/church music office at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions at 1-800-264-1225.

(ABSC)