Aug. 11, 2014. The choir of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church will present “A Grateful Heart: A Litany in Praise of All Creation” on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the nave of the church.
Patterned on the familiar Lessons and Carols festival of the Advent season, this concert will feature readings and music from both sacred and secular literature that focuses on issues of gratitude for an our interconnectedness to all of creation. It is presented in memory of Dr. Ken McKinney, an internationally-known professor of Geology at Appalachian State University who was a founder and long-term member of the choir at St Mary’s and who was instrumental in the choir’s development as one of the premier choral ensembles of the region. The concert is part of an annual weekend of music in honor of Dr. McKinney, informally called “KenFest” by the choir.
This year’s “Ken-Fest” weekend coincides with the celebration of the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the church’s matronal saint. In honor of the blessed Mother, a fully-sung mass will be celebrated on Sunday morning, Aug. 17, at 10:10 a.m. as well as choral evensong on the same day at 3:30 p.m. Music for the day will include a short setting of the mass by renaissance “great” G.P. da Palestrina, along with pieces ranging from tenth century chant by Hildegard of Bingen to 20th century music by Canadian composer Healey Willan. All are welcome to attend.
For more information on this service, please contact St. Mary of the Hills at 828-295-7323.
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