"Child of God" was written by Mark Miller in response to the 2013 United Methodist Church trials concerning same-sex marriage. Rooke Chapel at Bucknell University prides itself on being a welcoming space for all. Still, we know that the world outside of our Central PA home does not always offer the same warm reception.
I enjoy virtual choir videos, but often, due to common circumstances, they are created by people learning their parts individually with little community building. Happily I can say that was not the case here. With COVID-19 restrictions slightly loosened in the Spring 2021 semester, we were able to gather in Rooke Chapel, masked and distanced, to rehearse this piece with the intention of creating a virtual performance. This was the first time I had heard live choral singing in over a year, and with some of my favorite people!
Not only did we soak in the amazing acoustics of blended voices once more, but we spoke about our own connections with this piece. We listened to Mark Miller's words from the 2012 United Methodist Church General Conference, and students offered candid reflections which gave this piece life. Though recorded separately, we were certainly together in heart, soul, and mind. I hope you can hear that.
-Matthew Tiramani, Rooke Chapel Director of Music
Words and Music: Mark A. Miller
Publisher: Choristers Guild (CGA1425)
Video courtesy of Rooke Chapel (Bucknell University). Used with permission.
5 окт 2024
