Church Music Conference to Feature Organist Jefferey Brillhart at UA’s Moody Music Hall

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s Church Music Conference will feature organist Jeffrey Brillhart and faculty from the UA School of Music and American University in Cairo at UA’s Moody Music Building Saturday, Jan. 27.

Now in its fourth year, the conference attracts choir members and directors, hand bell players and directors, organists, clergy members and persons with a church music concentration interested in improving their skills for church ministry.

Dr. Faythe Freese, associate professor of music at UA, said this is an excellent opportunity for exchange of ideas with colleagues, in addition to the skills Brillhart will share.

Brillhart is director of music and fine arts at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and on the music faculty at Yale University, where he teaches organ improvisation. He is also music director of Philadelphia’s famed Singing City Choir.

“Brillhart’s improvisations are a real tour de force,” Freese said. “His impeccable playing is exciting yet finessed.”

During the conference the following will be offered: organ, vocal, choral conducting master classes, vocal health and hymnody workshops, choral reading, children’s choirs and hand bell sessions.

Early bird conference registration by noon Jan. 19 is suggested to assure workshop choices. The registration fee is $75 and includes a boxed lunch. The conference cannot guarantee choral music or lunches for attendees registering after Jan. 19. Registration after the early bird deadline is $85. Open registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 27. The first session begins at 9 a.m.

For registration, contact Dr. Faythe Freese at 205/348-3329, or visit the UA organ department Web site for the complete conference schedule at http://www.music.ua.edu/organ/events/.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the University’s largest division and the largest public liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the “USA Today” Academic All American Team.