A PROGRAMME OF STIRRING MUSIC to warm the hearts of Methodists has been promised by the Methodist School of Music (MSM), responsible for organising the Wesleyan Hymn Festival to be held at Victoria Concert Hall on May 19 at 8 pm. The festival is a part of the Aldersgate Convention 2010.

Dr Michael Burkhardt, an American music professor internationally known for his inspiring and innovative hymn festivals, will lead the event.

Naturally, the festival will include several of Wesley’s famous hymns arranged and conducted by Dr Burkhardt, who will also play a number of organ solos.

A 157-voice choir amassed from Methodist churches and the award-winning choir from Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) will lead in the singing. They will be accompanied on the pipe organ and supported by the ACJC Brass Ensemble, the MGS Handbells and MSM faculty members.

Dr Burkhard will conduct the choir in a specially-commissioned 125^th Anniversary hymn entitled “Together in God’s Mission”. The hymn is written by Bishop Dr Robert Solomon and put to music by Dr Burkhardt.

It will also be sung at the Combined Aldersgate and 125^th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service on May 22.

Dr Burkhardt’s visit to Singapore is made possible by the MSM Visiting Professor Fund in memory of the late Mr Wong Ha Hee. This Wesleyan Hymn Festival is likely to be among the last few public concerts at Victoria Concert Hall as the auditorium is slated for an extensive makeover, lasting three years.

As seating capacity in Victoria Concert Hall is limited to about 880 people and the MSM is expecting a full house, it will open its Full Rehearsal to guests on May 18, beginning at 8.45 pm and ending at 10 pm.

Admission to the two concerts is free. Tickets for both the evenings will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis.

The festival has already attracted an enthusiastic response as the bulk of the 880 tickets for the May 19 evening has been taken up. Tickets for the Full Rehearsal on May 18 are still available. To reserve your free tickets, please call MSM at tel: 6767-5258 or email: msm@msmusic.edu.sg