RICHMOND, Va. — “Sing Praises Old & New” is the theme for a hymn festival to be held at the annual meeting of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Richmond.
The festival will be led by Deborah Carlton Loftis and William Bradley Roberts, two church music professors who have collaborated in designing the program to include some old hymns with new presentations. The program will emphasize congregational singing and churches are encouraged to bring groups for an evening of song. The program is free and open to the public.
Deborah Carlton Loftis
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William Bradley Roberts
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The two professors have deep taproots in the musical heritage of Baptists as well as the broader field of church music. A graduate of Furman University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Deborah Loftis completed doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville in a joint program in musicology. She is a visiting professor of church music at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and executive director of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.
Bill Roberts is a graduate of Houston Baptist University and he received the doctor of musical arts from Southern Seminary. He is professor of church music at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. He previously taught at Southern Seminary, Mars Hill College and Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. A composer and writer., he is author of Music and Vital Congregations: A Practical Guide for Clergy.
Earlier on the same day the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies will sponsor a convocation on church music which also will be led by Loftis and Roberts. Entitled “Planning Worship Together,” the convocation is open to ministers of music and pastors of Virginia Baptist churches and will emphasize ways in which church musicians and pastors can enhance the congregation’s worship experience through collaboration in the planning process. The convocation also will consider various issues in today’s churches and examine songs, both old and new, for possible use in worship. Participation in the convocation is limited and by advance registration. To register or receive further information, contact the Heritage Center at 804.289.8434.