The Chattanooga chapter of the American Guild of Organists is hosting its first hymn festival, Lift High the Cross, on Sunday in celebration of the Lenten season. The concert will begin at 5 p.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
“The AGO has performed at similar events sponsored by the Chattanooga Boys Choir and Chattanooga Music Club, but this is the first one of our own,” said Muriell J. Phillips, subdean of the local AGO, whose idea it was to hold the concert.
Phillips recently moved here from Naperville, Ill., where she was director of music at the 2,800-member Grace United Methodist Church.
“I’m new in town and a new officer of the AGO,” Phillips said. “The reason I wanted to do this concert is that AGO is a professional organization of church musicians, and the most important thing we do is guide, direct and play hymns.”
The audience will be invited to sing along on such favorite hymns as “Lift High The Cross,” The 23rd Psalm” and “The Church’s One Foundation.”
Accompanying the congregation will be organist Adrienne Olson; Glen Olson and Ken Parsons, trumpet; Michael Carver, trombone; David Pedigo, timpani; Erin Erdos, flute; Susan Garrett, oboe; and Tifany Envid, harp.
Singers from the choirs of Brainerd United Methodist, Lookout Mountain Presbyterian, St. Timothy Episcopal, Rivermont Presbyterian, Good Shepherd Episcopal and First-Centenary United Methodist will be embedded within the audience to support the congregational singing.
Organist David Friberg will be featured on “Go to Dark Gethsemane.” The Chattanooga Girls Choir will perform “Psalm 23” by Randall Stroope and “Agnus Dei” by Ronald Kean.
If You Go
* What: Lift High the Cross hymn festival.
* When: 5 p.m. Sunday.
* Where: Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 213 E. Eighth St.
* Admission: Free.
* Phone: 243-4467.