Morning Session

Singing Without Fear   Peter, Mary Alice and Neely will lead everyone in song and encourage us to hear and sing our own harmonies. There will be instructions and suggestions on how to harmonize by ear.

Unique to the USA

William Billings and Spirituals   Boston composer, William Billings (1756-1800) has been named the "Father of New England Music". Self-taught in composition, Billings drew on British models, such as Playford and English Renaissance music, to develop a stark, primitive style of vocal Amidonscomposition appropriate to the stern New England church. The harmonies are simple and open; the setting of texts (his own, and those of Isaac Watts and others) scrupulous and sometimes pictorial. Neely will share his love and knowledge of the music of William Billings, along with his love and knowledge of Spirituals, another rich source of American Music.

Love Call Me Home

The phenomenon of the Hospice Choir continues to grow. Peter and Mary Alice will share new music and new insights into the deep connection music has with life in all of its seasons. They will include music both for hospice singing and for your church choir repertoire.