By Lindsey Williams
Writing Specialist
On May 7, the annual Mississippi Baptist Senior Adult Choir Festival is set to take place at Meadow Grove Church in Brandon.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing our senior adult choirs gather together,” commented Kris Smith, the Worship Ministries Director for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board since the start of the year. “It’s encouraging for the different church choirs to hear one another, and it gives them an opportunity to fellowship with choirs from across the state.”
“I would imagine that a lot of our participants in these choirs are also in our weekly worship choirs,” Smith stated, “but there are probably some who don’t feel like they can do the week-to-week rehearsals for the Sunday morning service. The festival, however, gives them an outlet to be able to use the gifts they have and sing music they love. It may be that their church sings more modern music, so the festival gives them an opportunity to sing songs that their generation really connects with.”
The festival is scheduled in two parts: a morning session starting at 9 a.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m., and an afternoon session kicking off at 1:15 p.m. with registration at 12:45 p.m. Choirs will perform one to two selections of the director’s choosing within an eight-minute limit. Choirs are not bound to be directed by the current music minister if another director wishes to take the lead. While music memorization is encouraged, it is not a requirement, but choirs are asked to stay for the entire session to show respect for subsequent presentations.
The Senior Adult Choir Festival transcends a mere performance by choirs, transforming into a worship service. Following each presentation, attendees are invited to participate in congregational worship or enjoy special music from soloists or groups. The event is open to all who wish to experience the music and join in praising, with a special invitation extended to encourage our skilled brothers and sisters in Christ as they dedicate their voices to the Lord.
“It’s a whole day event,” said Cathy Taylor, Ministry Assistant of Worship Ministries. “The choirs have a lot of fun as they get to travel together, have lunch together, and sing together. It reminds them that they have worth in worship. A lot of people, as they get older, feel like they’re not thought of, or no one wants them involved in anything. So this reminds them that they have worth.”
For senior adult choirs interested in participating, more information can be found at Worship for Adults on the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board website (mbcb.org). The deadline for registration is April 15.
“We encourage you, even if you’re not bringing a choir, just to bring your senior adult group and be a part of the worship and fellowship,” added Taylor.
