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World Premier of
"God Invites Us"
Music Liturgy next Sunday
On Sunday, December 17, a newly created music liturgy, “God Invites Us,” will be premiered in its entirety during the 10am worship service. Newly designated as Artist in Residence at First Church this fall, Brittany Betts composed the piece in collaboration with Pastor Ian Holland and Director of Music Ministries, Patricia Clark.
According to Clark, Betts’ piece features a traditional chant structure artfully overlaid onto tight, contemporary jazz vocal harmonies. Although primarily meditative, the work also has powerful, energetic moments and lively, syncopated rhythms. Using SATB Choir with cantor, a treble vocal trio, and piano and organ accompaniment, the music also invites congregational participation In addition, the piece allows for solo improvisations by a soprano wind instrument, and on December 17 the wind player will be performing on clarinet and saxophone.
A versatile musician, Betts is a trumpeter, singer, djembe player, composer, arranger, collaborator and worship facilitator based out of Rockport, Massachusetts. She performs with the Riverside Renaissance Swing Band, the David Whitney Orchestra, Cantemus Chamber Chorus, and the vocal trio, ONE. Her compositions range from works for choir to jazz combo, Christian worship to singer-songwriter, and handbells to piano-trumpet duos, as well as works for percussion ensemble and vocal trio. Her recent work, “Shining Light on Water,” had its world premier at the Cantemus Chamber Chorus’ 2023 Spring concerts to rousing success.
Betts, Clark, and the First Church Choir have been presenting a slow roll-out of the piece during the December 3 and 10 worship services by performing some of the music and mostly in unison. During the December 17 service, however, “God Invites Us” will be presented in its entirety for the first time, creating a liturgy of nearly continual music.
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