Second Church Provides Audition Recording Venue for International Harp Contestant

You can hear Abby's video, recorded at Second, this Saturday, September 4th starting at 1PM, at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYJSsXiJFTA

Abigail Kent, harpist, has been recording in our sanctuary recently to audition for the International Harp Contest in Israel. In addition to being a doctoral student at the Juilliard School in NYC, she is a harpist with the Charleston Symphony, and she comes from right here, from Mount Pleasant. Second Church supports this rising star by providing the venue for her audition recordings, and Ken Carrington is her sound engineer. We'll hear Abby in our service later this fall. A few words from her about the competition:

"The International Harp Contest in Israel is the oldest and most prestigious solo harp competition in the world. Established in 1959, most of the contest's winners have gone on to continue established solo harp careers or have acquired coveted orchestra positions like the Berlin Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic. The competition is organized into four stages, where the first two contain solo works, the third is chamber music, and the final stage is a concerto with orchestra. Both the structure and the prestige of the contest make this the harp equivalent of the famous Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Because of the COVID situation around the world, the Israel competition has decided that the first two rounds will be virtual, and the final two shall be in person in Israel. The First Stage is premiering the pre-recorded videos of contestants from September 1-5."

The First Stage has 49 contestants from 22 countries, and 25 of these contestants will pass on to the Second Stage, which will also be premiered on Youtube. If Abby passes the first stage, her video will be shown September 12-14, and more information will follow if that happens. Of those in the Second Stage, only 9 will move on to the semifinal stage, and finally 3 will be chosen for the finals. Let's keep Abby in our thoughts and prayers as she continues to represent the Lowcountry on the world stage.

Julia Harlow, Director of Music

You can hear Abby's video, recorded at Second, Saturday, September 4 starting at 1PM

Bicentennial hymn

“Wragg Square” Hymn

A Hymn by Mary Edna Fraser and Julia Harlow
This special composition was commissioned for the Bicentennial Finale service held on Sunday, April 26, 2009. It was premiered during that service - the congregation sang the melody, accompanied by organ and brass choir. The words for the first three verses were written by Mary Edna Fraser. The melody, harmonization and words for the fourth verse were composed by Dr. Julia Harlow. The name of the hymn tune is "Wragg Square," after the city park located directly in front of the church. Several other famous hymns are named after places, e.g., Regent Square (Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation), Duke Street (I Know That My Redeemer Lives) and Bunessan (Morning Has Broken).

1.  All power given in heaven and earth, in name of Father and Son, and Holy Ghost observing all things, to ends of all the earth as one.

2.  Black holes above, mysterious, dark, Earth's bluest sky offering light, with fragile faith at best we oft embark, led forth to knowledge and sight.

3.  Through earthquake fire and hurricane, enduring wages of war, through many hardships which the Church sustained, our peace and hope we secure.

4.  With gifts of love and healing prayer, we live our faith in charity, and going out into the world we share, Commitment and Community.

Source: /music

Choir Collaboration

 
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The Kirk Choir from First(Scots) Presbyterian, directed by Ricard Bordas, will join our choir Sunday to sing two anthems by John Rutter. "This Is the Day" was premiered at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. It was commissioned especially for the occasion by the Dean and Chapter of the Abbey. And "A Gaelic Blessing", commissioned in 1978 by the Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Neb., and sung here for the ordination and installation of Rev. Darwin in 2004. Our choir joined First Scots' to sing "This Is the Day" for the installation of Rev. Holton Siegling last fall.

UPDATE: Click the link to listen to those two anthems sung February 4, 2018