I was waiting for Dvorak and Spillville, Chuck. You zipped that one in at the end like a Whitey Ford curveball on the outside corner. Well done.
Not necessarily an original composition, but in 2010 our great Iowa-born international opera star Simon Estes recorded an album with 1,100 Iowa high school choral students and the Des Moines Youth Symphony under the direction of Maestro Joseph Giunta at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in Ames as a benefit to raise funds to purchase treated mosquito nets to fight child malaria in Africa through his and the United Nations foundations. The album, "Save the Children, Save their Lives" contained the title cut and many spirituals. My personal favorite was Rev Thomas Dorsey's "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." The album is still available online on eBay and other sites. Mr. Estes was living in Waverly and teaching at Wartburg and Iowa State at the time and I did a story on his campaign for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier that also ran in the Register. The concert by itself raised $100,000 and leveraged an additional $250,000 in donations to the United Nations Foundation. Here's a link to the album. https://www.discogs.com/release/27015765-Simon-Estes-Save-the-Children-Save-their-Lives.
I believe that one of your fellow collaborators is an organist in his local Lutheran church--Kurt Meyer. I'll bet he has favorites, too. We Episcopalians certainly do!
So many memories were encased in your column. I grew up in Westminster United Presbyterian Church (50’s & 60’s)in Des Moines & the lyrics to most of the hymns still come to mind. Great adult choir and organ back then& I’m sure they’re still awesome.
Thank you for writing such a great column for so many years.
Growing up Baptist I am familiar with most of your hymns. Church in The Wildwood is special since my parents married there in 1923. We’ve attended many of their August reunions.
I didn’t notice any Lutheran hymns? Surely there must be some Iowa connection.
While at student at BVU in Storm Lake, I composed a piece e for band called “Hymn Quodlibet” that was performed by the BVU Concert Band. It was based on some of my favorite old hymns and gospel songs, including “Steal Away”, “Lonesome Valley”, “God of Our Fathers,” “Amazing Grace,” “Holy Holy Holy,” and the Ode to Joy. I love hymns!!!!
I was waiting for Dvorak and Spillville, Chuck. You zipped that one in at the end like a Whitey Ford curveball on the outside corner. Well done.
Not necessarily an original composition, but in 2010 our great Iowa-born international opera star Simon Estes recorded an album with 1,100 Iowa high school choral students and the Des Moines Youth Symphony under the direction of Maestro Joseph Giunta at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in Ames as a benefit to raise funds to purchase treated mosquito nets to fight child malaria in Africa through his and the United Nations foundations. The album, "Save the Children, Save their Lives" contained the title cut and many spirituals. My personal favorite was Rev Thomas Dorsey's "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." The album is still available online on eBay and other sites. Mr. Estes was living in Waverly and teaching at Wartburg and Iowa State at the time and I did a story on his campaign for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier that also ran in the Register. The concert by itself raised $100,000 and leveraged an additional $250,000 in donations to the United Nations Foundation. Here's a link to the album. https://www.discogs.com/release/27015765-Simon-Estes-Save-the-Children-Save-their-Lives.
I believe that one of your fellow collaborators is an organist in his local Lutheran church--Kurt Meyer. I'll bet he has favorites, too. We Episcopalians certainly do!
Great ideas, Chuck. I will check the United Methodist hymnals!
So many memories were encased in your column. I grew up in Westminster United Presbyterian Church (50’s & 60’s)in Des Moines & the lyrics to most of the hymns still come to mind. Great adult choir and organ back then& I’m sure they’re still awesome.
Thank you for writing such a great column for so many years.
Growing up Baptist I am familiar with most of your hymns. Church in The Wildwood is special since my parents married there in 1923. We’ve attended many of their August reunions.
I didn’t notice any Lutheran hymns? Surely there must be some Iowa connection.
GREAT column. Thanks.
While at student at BVU in Storm Lake, I composed a piece e for band called “Hymn Quodlibet” that was performed by the BVU Concert Band. It was based on some of my favorite old hymns and gospel songs, including “Steal Away”, “Lonesome Valley”, “God of Our Fathers,” “Amazing Grace,” “Holy Holy Holy,” and the Ode to Joy. I love hymns!!!!
I am with you on the old hymns!