I mentioned in a previous post that my 2006–7 composition Trouble had been performed at Trinity Christian College as part of a symposium titled the Psalms, the Arts, and Worship featuring theologian Marva Dawn as the keynote speaker. Trouble was presented as part of the closing Festival of Psalms and was juxtaposed with scripture reading, poetry and singing. Mark Peters, Professor of musicology at Trinity and organizer of the symposium, was kind enough to send me audio from the event which I’ve mixed down and posted below
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In the opening you hear a reading of the poem “Empty and Worthless is my Praise” by Krisitn Thomas (and I believe read by Thomas) woven in with Mark Peters’ reading of Psalm 130. The reading is followed by a very contemplative performance of Trouble (Kim Sopata, flute; Anna Najoom, clarinet; Matt Mantell, violin; Emily Mantell, cello; and Candace Peters, piano). Finally the segment closes with a beautiful rendition of “Precious Lord Take My Hand” by Mary Webster Moore, a Professor of education at Trinity. I’m fascinated by the different ways people are approaching this piece and integrating contemporary music into a modern worship service is far too rare an occurrence, so serious kudos to Mark, the rest of the organizers at Trinity, and the performers.
