Smyrna - Vinings, Ga. (June 18, 2008)—Members of the First Iconium Baptist Church Choir of Atlanta will share their musical talents with worshipers at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church on June 29. The two different churches may have different traditions of worship, but they have one common purpose—to use music to energize and inspire.

Iconium's Choir Director Earnest Davis says his singers range in age from 21 to 52, and they will perform selections from a repertoire of 40 to 50 songs. "We call ourselves the New Generations Gospel Choir," says Davis. "Typically, people would think that's a younger choir," he adds, "But what we represent is a new generation of believers who are not afraid to worship with all styles of music." The Atlanta choir sings traditional and jazz Gospel songs, Negro spirituals and very contemporary, cutting-edge, youthful songs. "Age doesn't have to determine attitude and style, says Davis who has been Iconium's Choir Director for 14 years.

St. Benedict's Music Director Leslie Boyette grew up in a Southern Baptist Church in South Carolina, so he is very familiar with different styles and different songs of praise. "Gospel choirs tend to sing longer anthems and a lot of choruses that the entire congregation may know and can sing along with," Boyette says.

Iconium's choir is hoping their music will be that rousing. They will be traveling with an electric keyboard and an amplifier and, although they often use drums, Davis says he is still undecided about how many instruments they will need for the 20-strong group of singers. He says he has worshipped in a Catholic church before, so he understands how services are conducted in the Episcopal tradition and will honor that. "We will remain true to who we are," Davis says, "But out of a sense of musical respect, we will pull songs out of our repertoire that embrace all types of cultures, races and religions."

St. Benedict's wants to introduce its parishioners to different musical styles over the summer, and Boyette reached out to Iconium after a guest percussionist suggested it. Her mother sings in the Atlanta choir, so it was a nice fit. "The Vicar (Rev. Lang Lowrey) said he wanted to invite different groups to sing, so we were very pleased when they accepted our invitation," said Boyette.

St. Benedict's worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m., following the 9:30 Bible study session that will be conducted by Rev. Dr. John McCard of St. Martin in the Field's Episcopal Church of Atlanta. With the notable theologian also scheduled to deliver a sermon that morning, and with the much-anticipate performance of the Iconium choir, June 29 is shaping up to be an even more spiritually uplifting day than usual.

"Music is infinite with a structure of notes that create musical styles," says Iconium's Choir Director. "We like to use different structures and styles to praise God. As God creates everything, we feel that everything that has breath can praise him."

 

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About St. Benedict's Episcopal Church

St. Benedict's of New Vinings, Georgia is a new mission sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. Our purpose is to support Bishop J. Neil Alexander's goal of growing the church by establishing a vibrant congregation in one of the fastest growing areas of greater Atlanta. As a reflection of our namesake, St. Benedict, we are founded on a belief in the traditional liturgy of the church coupled with the need to develop contemporary relationships that recognize the real-world challenges facing today's faithful. St. Benedict's congregation worships at Campbell Middle School, 3295 Atlanta Road, Smyrna, GA 30080.