“Singing with the Saints” is the theme for the 11th annual Samford Hymn Sing on Sunday , Oct. 5, in Reid Chapel, according to Eric Mathis, assistant professor of music and director of anima: the Forum for Worship and the Arts, who will also provide the organ accompaniment.
The program begins at 2 p.m. under the musical leadership of Joseph Hopkins, dean of Samford’s School of the Arts. Also featured will be the Samford University Chorale under the direction of Sherrie Lawhon.
Frank Jones of Hoover, Ala., a 1974 graduate of Samford and pianist for the Alabama Singing Men since 1983, will provide the piano accompaniment. A popular and longtime church pianist, he has been conference pianist for the Jubilee Conferences in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., since 2002. He incorporated Frank Jones Ministries in 2007, a ministry focused on worship and enrichment events.
“The hymn sing is but one piece of the worship mosaic on the Samford University campus,” said Mathis. “We continue it because year after year young and old look forward to an afternoon of singing hymns that have been important to the Christian community at large as well as our individual spiritual formation and development.”
Also, Mathis said, “We continue the hymn sing because the heart of the Christian vocation is loving God and loving neighbor, and singing one another’s songs is but one way to deepen our love for the image of Christ who is revealed in our neighbor.”
Begun in 2003 as The Old Song Sing-Along, the popular program has featured the music of composer Philip Bliss and gospel music performer Dick Baker. Again this year it is part of Samford’s Family Weekend celebration.
Free and open to the public, the program is an afternoon of congregational singing of hymns and gospel songs selected by audience participants, Mathis said.
Guests also can arrive on campus early and enjoy lunch in the University Center Dining Hall. Cost for lunch is $8 per person.