
Greetings, People of Grace – from Chancel Choir Director, Peter Jarjisian
I’m writing to invite you to be part of a special project in the New Year.
On SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2025, the day before America celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, our pastors, in cooperation with Grace’s Racial Justice Team, have chosen to consolidate worship into a single service at 10:00AM. Our guest, Dr. Geneace Williams, will present the Message, and the Chancel Choir, will present an arrangement of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
I created the arrangement for SPOKEN CHORUS; there is no singing. A solo speaker, the “Narrator,” represents Dr. King. The CHORUS – I’m inviting you to be among them – speaks significant words and phrases dramatizing the images Dr. King describes so vividly. Here’s an example. -- Imagine Dr. King saying:
I say to you today, my friends – so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. -- It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream – that one day this nation will (and the entire CHORUS erupts) RISE UP!
(Dr. King continues) – and live out the true meaning of its creed:
(A soloist from the CHORUS proclaims) We hold these truths to be self-evident:
(Everyone gets to finish the sentence) that ALL men are created EQUAL.
That’s a taste of the dramatic experience we’ll share during worship on January 19. Imagine how it will feel for you, and others around you, to speak together portions of Dr. King’s inspiring message – concluding with:
Free at last. Free At Last. Thank God almighty, WE ARE FREE AT LAST!
Immediately, the Chancel Choir will burst into the spiritual – GREAT DAY – glorious music by Warren Martin!
One my former students, Shelley Dickinson, will speak the role of the Narrator. On Broadway, Shelley was an understudy in the Original Cast of RENT. She later performed in touring companies in Europe and the U. S.
It would be great to have many of you involved! If you’d like to be part of the SPOKEN CHORUS, please clear your schedule for the following rehearsals, and
Register by JANUARY 4 at www.peopleofgrace.org/MLKspokenchorus
REQUIRED REHEARSALS (in the Sanctuary):
> Sunday, January 12 at 11:45AM to 12:15PM Spoken Chorus
> Thursday, January 16 at 7:00PM to PM 7:30PM Optional rehearsal for Spoken Chorus
> Sunday, January 19 at 9:00AM to 9:30AM Spoken Chorus
> Worship Service at 10AM (Your family will be able to sit with you.)
All registrants will hear from me during the week of January 5. I’ll send you what you’ll need for the first rehearsal, and an update will appear in the enews that week.
If you have questions, please write to me at: peter.jarjisian@peopleofgrace.org.
Blessings to each of you, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Peter
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