Choir - New York

Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church

920 Tonaquint Drive, St. George, UT 84770 (435) 627-8638 shumc@infowest.com

Wesley Choral Festival in New York City

920 Tonaquint Drive

St. George, UT 84770

Phone: (435) 627-8638

Fax: (435) 628-4229

The SHUMC Chancel Choir was the only group from Utah selected to participate in a festival honoring prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley.

Choir members pose after the performance.

While in New York, the group stopped at the site of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

     The Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church Chancel Choir participated in the 2007 Wesley Choral Festival in New York City in February. The choir was one of 12 from across the country chosen to particpate in the event, which marked the 300th anniversary of Methodist hymn writer Charles Wesley.
     Wesley wrote more than 9,000 hymns and poems and is the author of such songs as "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing."
     The festival featured a premiere of a work commissioned

for the event. "Directions for Singing" was composed by Andrew Fowler and was debuted at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center. Musical works by Handel, Mozart, Faure, Mendelssohn and other well-known compsers also were featured.
Twenty members, spouses and friends of the SHUMC Chancel Choir members joned the 275-voice choir and became part of the largest ensemble ever to sing on the stage at Avery Fisher Hall. Rehearsals for the performance were held at the historic Riverside Church.

Ellis Island is seen in this picture taken by one of the choir members during their visit to New York City in 2007.