In an evening of gratitude, fellowship and devotion, hundreds of voices will come together in a celebration of new hymns.
The annual BYU-Idaho Hymn Festival provides an opportunity for music composition students, faculty and community members to premiere their brand-new hymns through performances from the University Choir and organists with songs for the audience to sing as well. This year’s concert will celebrate 20 years since the festival began.
“We are bringing back some hymns from earlier years,” said coordinator Dr. Daniel Kerr. “We have two hymns from our very first year in 2005 that we're bringing back and featuring, we have a hymn from about six years ago that we are also bringing back and then, of course, several brand-new ones that have been written this year.”
Each newly submitted hymn is inspired by scriptures that will be shared throughout the festival.
“We have that spiritual focus about what the hymn is going to be about and that creates for a more meaningful hymn singing experience,” Kerr said. “The musical styles are a little bit different also. We have some that are more primary song type, we have more that are like power type of hymns.”
The free festival is Tuesday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Barrus Concert Hall in the Snow Building on campus.
“You don't have to have a great voice, but come with an open heart and ready to join in and sing some great new music,” Kerr said “The fellowship that we feel is palpable and it's energizing. I would encourage as many people who are interested in hymns to come and join us.”
You can find more information and the livestream link at byui.edu/music.