.png?width=800&height=400&name=PHC%20(1).png "Patrick Henry College")
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120 singers joined together in the Barbara Hodel Center to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." The PHC Chorale hosted two high school choirs, Evergreen Christian Choir and Maranatha Youth Music Academy Choir, for a Choral Invitational Festival.
On a Wednesday afternoon in early spring, three choirs from Virginia joined to rehearse gospel, classical, choral, and ancient Hebraic pieces. The concert also featured music from Joseph Haydn, which the PHC Chorale will be performing with the Orchestra on April 26.
The Evergreen Christian Choir began the performance with a pair of songs. This choir educates students in all aspects of choral music through practice, performance, and listening. Students acknowledge God as the Creator of music and recognize his hand in inspiring compositions through the ages. The students learn to use their God-given gifts to the best of their abilities, thereby glorifying God.
Mr. Appleton, director of the PHC Chorale, hoped that the Chorale could be an example for the high school students, who are nearing the next chapter in life. Choir festivals can often be competitive in nature, but he wished for all of the students to know that there is much to celebrate in the unified gift of sharing the Gospel through singing.
The Maranatha Youth Music Academy, also directed by Mr. Appleton, seeks to proclaim God’s glory through music and to provide educational opportunities for homeschool students to grow both musically and spiritually.
After an hour of rehearsals and preparations, each choir performed some of their best pieces of the season. When all 120 singers joined together for a powerful rendition of Haydn's piece, basses, altos, tenors, and sopranos of all three groups unified in one strong voice to share a small taste of the glory to come. Students of all choirs enjoyed the experience of sharing their passion for music with new, local friends.
Patrick Henry College exists to glorify God by challenging the status quo in higher education, lifting high both faith and reason within a rigorous academic environment; thereby preserving for posterity the ideals behind the "noble experiment in ordered liberty" that is the foundation of America.
