A blog connecting you to deep conversations, valuable resources, and challenging ideas
Centered In Song is a blog that features a core team of writers who care deeply about the congregation’s voice and who seek to have deep and meaningful conversations. Our team of bloggers are always on the lookout for great events, fresh ideas, and artists who are passionate about congregational singing. Because the team is made up of folk from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, this blog offers a variety of viewpoints and opinions on congregational song, celebrating the diversity that the church’s song embodies each and every week.
Emorja Roberson is a pianist, conductor, workshop coordinator, composer, arranger...
Emorja Roberson
Vlogger
Emorja Roberson is a pianist, conductor, workshop coordinator, composer, arranger and vocalist in world of classical and gospel In 2016, debuted “Let’s Just Praise the Lord” with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra from his project, Rejuvenate Me, with Rejuvenation Gospel Choir January 2017
Roberson graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, where he studied with Krzysztof Biernacki As a young artist, he held lead roles in Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), The Consul, The Mikado and La Bohème with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and performed as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah
In October 2016 Robert Kry’s The Dante Project and Mass for the Oppressed by Emerson Eads He has premiered Evelyn Simpson Curenton’s “Sweet Lil Jesus” and was featured as the soloist for JJ Wright’s O Emmanuel with the Notre Dame Children’s Choir In March 2016, Roberson was casted as Duke Frederick in Roger Steptoe’s world-premiere opera of the Shakespeare’s play, “As You Like It”, under the direction of John Apeitos Throughout his experience in the MSM program, Roberson has worked with world-renowned soprano, Deborah Voight, Carla Rae Cook, and vocal coach and pianist, JJ Penna Just recently, Roberson recorded with Grammy Award Winner, Arturo Sandoval, for the NDCC’s Christmas CD, which will be released September 2018
August 2017, Emorja coordinated the Weekend of Worship in DeFuniak Springs, FL for churches of diverse communities, which provided workshops on the liturgical sacred music of the church and the fundamentals of reading music, which concluded with a concert of various genres of music
As of May 2017, Roberson was coined as the first African-American to graduate with a Master of Sacred Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Notre Dame Currently, Roberson is a student of Dr Mark Doerries and is the first African-American student in the Doctor of Musical Arts program to study Choral Conducting with a focus in African-American repertoire In addition to piloting the Voices of Courage choir at Madison Primary Center, Roberson serves as the Director of Music for Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Graduate Assistant for the Notre Dame Folk Choir
In October 2018, Emorja recorded his second live project, The Evening Musicale, which has a release date of March 2019
January 2018, Roberson’s compositions, “I Need Your Presence” and “Lord, I Am Grateful” were debuted by the South Bend Symphony Orchestra under the batons of Dr Marvin Curtis and Dr Alastair Willis Roberson was the first place winner for the 2018 American Negro Spirituals competition and performed at Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH In 2019, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra will perform Roberson’s recently recorded, “God Is My Refuge” and “Trust In The Lord” at the Martin Luther King, Jr celebration
Carolyn Moomaw Chilton writes and blogs as a spiritual discipline...
Carolyn Moomaw Chilton
Blog Proofreader
Carolyn Moomaw Chilton writes and blogs as a spiritual discipline and an invitation to conversation with others She a leadership development coach with clergy, clergy spouses and lay employees, as well as a spiritual director She also works as a consultant with churches and vestries in the areas of formation, development and evangelism She can be contacted through wwwepiscopalevangelistcom
Wendell is a composer, choir director, and music educator, with...
Wendell Glick
Blog Proofreader
Wendell is a composer, choir director, and music educator, with a particular interest in contemporary hymnody and choral music He holds degrees in music composition from Wilfrid Laurier University (BMus), the University of Toronto (MMus) and Western University (PhD), and is a life member of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada Wendell’s compositions and choral arrangements have been performed by middle school, high school, college, community and touring ensembles in more than 20 states and provinces, as well as in Ireland, England, Scotland, Poland and Jamaica In addition to his music work, he enjoys model trains, tree houses, aviation, rainy days, and life with his best friend Janelle and their four lively children
Min. Rylan Harris is Minister of Worship & Arts at Ray...
Rylan A. Harris
Blogger
Min Rylan Harris is Minister of Worship & Arts at Ray of Hope Christian Church in Atlanta, Georgia while he pursues a Master of Religious Leadership with a concentration in Music and Worship at Candler School of Theology He is a graduate of Hampton University in Virginia and remains active with the Hampton Ministers Conference each June
Felicia Patton is a lifelong Chicago native and worship leader at Urban...
Felicia Patton
Blogger
FeliciaPatton is a lifelong Chicago native and worship leader at Urban Village Church Felicia received an undergraduate degree from North Park University followed by two graduate degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
David Bjorlin is a worship pastor at Resurrection Covenant Church...
David Bjorlin
Blogger
David Bjorlin is a worship pastor at Resurrection Covenant Church (Chicago), a lecturer in worship at North Park Theological Seminary (Chicago), and a hymnwriter
David Calvert is the Creative Arts Director for Grace Community...
David Calvert
Blogger - Album Reviews
David Calvert is the Creative Arts Director for Grace Community Church in rural North Carolina, and a PhD graduate in Theology and Worship from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Author – Rosa Cándida Ramírez is the Worship Pastor of La Fuente Ministries, an intercultural, intergenerational bilingual ministry in Pasadena, California. On Monday, October 16, 2017, at 12:00 pm I openly wept while leading worship. At the steps of Fuller Theological Seminary’s Payton Hall, I was crying in front of a group of approximately forty […]
Author – Ginny Chilton is Music Minister at Church of the Ascension in Norfolk, Virginia, where she serves as organist, choirmaster, and elementary music teacher. Welcome to the fourth entry in the Center for Congregational Song blog: Centered in Song. I’m Ginny, a 30-something organist and music minister living in Tidewater, Virginia. I’ve worked mostly for […]
It’s my privilege to be joined in this special conversation with Dr. Markus Rathey, the Robert S. Tangeman Professor in the Practice of Music History at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, in New Haven, CT. It is a privilege not only for Markus’ expertise in this area but also because he was one of […]
Author – Adam Perez is currently a doctoral student in liturgical studies at Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC. Launch Event Recap We began our time together in just the way you might expect for the launch of the Center for Congregation Song: by singing! In fact, singing was the ligature that bound us (and […]
Author Brian Hehn is the Director of The Center for Congregational Song The Beginning Negativity. Pessimism. Insults. Arrogance. Blame. Simplifications…These are many of the characteristics that are easy to find when browsing the internet, scrolling through social media, listening to the news, and even walking the hallways of our churches. But when I read the […]
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