The first two Sundays in August will be summer music services when we are hosting the Furman Singers Alumni Choir on August 4 and guest singer-songwriter Pat Terry on August 11. Jim Dant will be the speaker during both of these services.
On August 4, alumni from the Furman University Singers will gather from across the country to share a weekend of music and fellowship that will culminate in morning worship here at First Baptist. The Furman Singers, the oldest of Furman University’s choral ensembles, was founded in 1946 by the late DuPre Rhame while he also served as the Minister of Music at First Baptist Greenville. In 1979, DuPre Rhame (retired in 1970) and the conductor of Singers since 1970, Bingham Vick Jr., gathered alumni from 1946 until the present time for a weekend of fellowship and music. Rhame died in 1981, but Vick continued the biennial “Furman Singers Reunion” throughout his tenure. Vick retired in 2010, and the Singers’ current conductor, Hugh Floyd, is continuing this tradition. Vick and Floyd will share conducting duties.
Returning to accompany the Singers are former alumni Paul Thomas, class of 2011, currently Organist-Choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Nancy Smith, class of 1971, currently Organist at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC. The prelude on Sunday morning will begin at 10:15am to allow each of these talented musicians time to play prior to the service which begins at 10:30am.
On August 11, Pat Terry will share his music in our worship service. He has enjoyed a long, successful career as a singer-songwriter. Pat’s career began with the Pat Terry Band—one of the first groups to present what later became known as Christian Contemporary Music. Pat’s band gave us early standards like “The Wedding Song” and “Home Where I Belong.” He followed this chapter of life with a successful Nashville career, writing hits like: “A Little Too Late to Do the Right Thing Now” (Tanya Tucker) and Travis Tritt’s “Help Me Hold On.” His newest CD, How Hard It Is to Fly, is a reflection of the thoughtful faith he lives today.
Following worship, Terry will present a lunch concert in the Fellowship Hall. Reservations must be made for lunch: https://firstbaptistgreenville.com/ summer-music-sunday/
Make plans now to attend both of these summer music Sundays!
—Vivian