The members of 10 congregations in Covington County will congregate as one for a cantata that is a communal event on three nights this week in the LBW Dixon Center for the Performing Arts.
The cantata is scheduled to take place on April 6, until Saturday, April 8 with evening performances starting from 7 p.m. The admission to the event is not charged, and doors begin around 6:30 p.m.
“The entire concept behind this community cantata was born out of the desire to bring together all Christians of all denominations within Covington County to mark the central point that is our belief system,” Director Lee Herring explained. “We would like to tell the story of Jesus Christ, who arrived on Earth and was detested by His own followers. He was also betrayed through one of the twelve apostles and then hung on a cross until He died and then returned to the world three days afterward. As Christians We are called to go out and make disciples of all nations and minister to people throughout the world. This is the principal objective and the purpose that this cantata .”
Churches included are Antioch Congregational Church, Bethany Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Andalusia, First Baptist Church of Gantt, First Baptist Church of Opp, Good News Baptist Church, Harmony Baptist Church, Southside Baptist Church of Andalusia, Westview Assembly, and Westview Baptist of Opp.
Cantatas are story-telling piece of music featuring vocals and instrumental accompaniment that usually includes solos, choruses and orchestras. The cantata’s title is “How great Thou Art” .”
The event is free to people to attend, and Harmony Baptist Church covering any expenses associated with the cantata. A donation box as well as an offering box located in at the entrance in the Dixon Center for people to contribute however they like.
“David The. Clydesdale composed this cantata in 1984 to praise the glory of God. Every person who attends can count on the drama group with an orchestra and a full choir to tell the story of Jesus’s burial and resurrection. This cantata will be a dramatic recounting the final few days of Jesus Christ our Lord. The cantata begins with His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and culminate with the Last Supper and His death and resurrection. It will be a thrilling retelling of the events of that day and will truly be an exciting event,” Herring said.
As well as his position as director, he’ll also play in other capacities as the director of orchestra as well as choir director, as well as drama director. Herring gave a number of reasons for why he’s grateful for the chance to participate in the cantata.
“I have the privilege of working with other church members in our county. The cantata is made up of approximately 75 people spread across a period of 10 churches. I am a music lover with a fervor, and God has given me this gift and it is selfish not to utilize it to glorify Him,” He said.
He explained that the cast of the cantata was chosen according to the character of each participant.
“To depict these Biblical characters I sought to find people I believe could have the same traits of these biblical characters. The cast in the cantata are people from the local community of Covington County. .”
Herring is an Covington County native and graduate of Straughn High School. He is a student at Huntingdon College in Montgomery studying Music Education, with a particular focus of instrumental and choral music. He is currently the music minister for the Harmony Baptist Church while completing his time in Opp High School under the direction of the director of the band Dillon Worley.
His music background began when he joined the band in 6th grade in Straughn.
“I could not be the person currently without the assistance of many people. It requires a village to raise children. I am extremely happy to have been the blessing of many villages that helped me achieve my goals. There is nothing that can surpass God’s mercy and love. I’m just glad God chooses to work with myself,” he said.
After the cantata each evening, a speaker will be on stage to deliver an hour-long sermon. Herring said that the sermons would offer everyone who attends an opportunity to recognize Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Don Herring from Good News Baptist Church will give a talk on Thursday. He will be followed by William Worley of First Baptist Church in Andalusia on Friday evening. Scott Donaldson from Harmony Baptist Church will address the congregation on Saturday night.
“We would like to see everyone have the chance to attend to support local art as well as local church. The participants have been working since the beginning of January in preparation for the weekend ahead,” Herring said.
The cast community list the following:
Soprano Soprano Soprano – Hannah Moore, Sharron Short, Ramona Fryer, Marilyn Herring, Jill Jones, Sonja Grimes Jordan Driver, Lynn King, Olivia Ennis, Carol Polk, Doris Morgan, and Evelyn Zuhse.
Alto Barbara Pilotte, Nancy Holmes, Danielle Rodgers, Wendy Thompson, Jamie Harrison, Christina Herring, Cindy Reed, Cathy Bozeman, Lori Huff, Laura Thompson, Sandra Green, Carla Ward
Tenor — Dennis Johnson, Don Herring, Eddie Huff, Richard Hammett
Bass — Hilton Bozeman, Michael Short, John Thompson, Shane Thompson, David Kirkland, William Blocker
Instrumentalist — Amy Johnson, Morgan Mabry, KC Cooke, Jar’Navious Cooper, Dillon Worley, John Bell, Christian Pate, Trevor Sikorski, Daniel Walden, Ethan Stonecipher, Jarmon Isom, John Hayden Fuller
Drama — Shane Thompson, Dusty Varner, Adrie Thompson, Sadie Huff, David Kirkland, Henry Kelley, Luke, Johnathan Pettus, David Kirkland, Scott Dutton, Duston Brannon, Justin Clem, Corey Morris, Nathan Johns, Leo Pilotte, Richard Hammett, Marilyn Herring, Christina Herring, Lori Huff, Denis Johnson, Corey Morris, Duston Brannon, Johnathan Pettus
Stage Crew — Martha Kelley, Beth Thompson, Andrew Harrison, Anna Harrison, Misty Dutton
The article Local churches gather for a community cantata was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
