Do you like to sing?
Are you interested in the tales behind some of the hymns we sing ?
Then “Heritage Hymns” could be for you - the next event in “Music at St Matthew’s”, Sunday, 27 June at 2 pm.
Ralph Cullen, who describes himself as a man who wears many hats, including Director, Keyboard Music Systems, Organist, St Columba Presbyterian Church, Botany Downs, sometimes preacher, pastor and broadcaster, will present the programme.
Ralph has a strong heritage in English Hymnody, having grown up in a non-conformist church that really knew how to sing, with at least five generations of his own family in New Zealand. They all have a passion for song, for music of the church and a love for the hymns that have shaped our own Christian heritage; the tradition which gave us Luther, Watts, Wesley, Montgomery, Newton, and many others.
Ralph says that he “learned to play the organ in a certain style by listening to my Aunt lead a full voiced congregation; and at no time did she let the congregation get away with lagging or unresponsiveness. This authority in playing came not primarily from musical skill, but more from a passion for the truth that is conveyed by these hymns”.
“This experience has also strengthened my understanding of church history and the music that not only reflected the progress of the Christian movement for centuries, but in some way influenced and directed it.”
“In Heritage Hymns we will sample a few key influences and influencers that marked milestones in what is the greatest movement in the history of the earth - the Christian Church, and the Gospel it proclaims. Beginning with the hymns of the Monastic period through the Reformation, the birth of English hymnody, evangelical awakenings, and modern revivals of worship, we can but touch the edges of the tremendous wealth that is our heritage”.
Come prepared to sing. There will be 12 hymns to fill in 90 minutes. As well, Ralph will extemporise on some medleys of great hymn writers. Included will be a rendition of Sullivan's Lost Chord, which he has found that people really love, and a rumbustious version of his "Onward Christian Soldiers". There’ll be a medley of Dykes wonderful and melodic music, which will bring some familiar sounds to peoples ears. These will all be set into their historical context by brief and very informative narration.
This is not a recital, although there will be wonderful and vibrant music to listen to, but expect to be informed, enlightened, and most of all drawn into some of the great Hymns of our most precious Faith.
Admission $5. Students Free. Door sales.
Further information from Parish office, weekdays 9-1pm. Tel 06 370 8589
April Bamford Convenor, Music at St Matthew’s, phone 06 377 5026
