Bethel University’s award winning Renaissance Quartet is coming to Quail Springs Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the QSBC Worship Center.  The group’s appearance is free and open to the public.

     The group took top honors this past September at the 2009 National Quartet Convention – gospel music’s largest annual event. They bested 41 other quartets to win the convention’s group talent contest, and they were the only group composed of full-time college students.

     Director Matthew Holt, who is a former member of the well-known gospel group the Perrys, pointed out the magnitude of the Renaissance Quartet’s experience.

     “There were thousands of people at this convention who have spent their entire lives hoping to sing on the quartet convention stage,” Holt said. “As the winners of the competition, the Renaissance Quartet made it to the main stage and sang to an audience of 23,000.”

     Currently, the group also has released its debut CD, and one song on it, “Givin’ in to Givin’ Up,”  has already spent some time in heavy rotation on 93.1 WWGM out of Jackson, Tenn., one of the biggest radio stations in gospel music.

     As the winners of the Quartet Convention talent show, the group will also head back to the studio courtesy of Cross and Crown Music to record another album.

    The group is composed of Dustin Doyle of Chalybeate, Ky., Blaine Sumler of Lexington, Tenn., Anna Pirtle of Bolivar, Tenn., and Josh Murrell of Paris, Tenn. They are accompanied by director Holt and by students Adam Catt of Bowling Green, Ky., and Roger Morris of McKenzie, Tenn.

     Bethel University’s Renaissance Quartet is a component of Renaissance, the Bethel Performing Arts Experience, which encompasses vocal talent, instrumental talent and dramatic talent. Serving as ambassadors of Bethel University, Renaissance performs a wide range of musical styles and inspires its audiences to praise God. Renaissance has wowed audiences across the nation and even abroad.

     Those interested in being a part of Bethel University’s Renaissance program can call 731-352-6414 for more information.

Yes, in the music ministry Christmas is upon us and there is still room in the choir for you.  Rehearsals are now underway every Wednesday evening in the choir room. Join us at 7:00 p.m. to get in on the Christmas preparation. 

As it did last year, this year’s program will consist of two parts beginning with a concert segment featuring the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra which will include a selection by the Contemporary Service Praise Team. 

Brilliant arrangements of timeless classic Christmas carols will highlight this portion of the evening.  The second segment is a musical drama which reprises the roles of Maggie & Grandpa and features several character and choir numbers including two original songs:  Daddy’s Chair and Jesus Won’t You Weep for Me. 

Looking for Christmas decorations in the attic, Maggie & Grandpa make a find that leads to an unexpected opportunity for Grandpa to share a family story handed down by his mother.  What Maggie learns from events that took place three generations earlier involving a rich man, a bum and an unlikely preacher will help us all to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

What’s Christmas All About? will speak to those who need salvation; to those searching for God’s will in their lives; to those who’s past failures seem too big to overcome; to those struggling through a season of testing; to those grieving the loss of a loved one; to those driven in their desire to be successful, and to those praying for a loved one. 

In short, there is a message for everyone.  Indeed, to prepare and produce a program of spiritual significance for a partially filled building would be a missed opportunity to reach our community for the Kingdom of Christ. 

Will you please commit yourself to the cause and begin now making plans to bring those who need the Hope of Christ?  Will you do your part to see that your neighbor knows and that they are present in the QSBC Worship Center at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 12 or Sunday, December 13?

Youth Choirs – 4:45-5:30 p.m.

High School – Jericho Hall (James Bradford, director)

Middle School – Adult Choir Room (Billie Thomas, director)

Children’s Choirs - 5:00-6:15 p.m.

3rd-5th Grade (Room B214)

1st-2nd Grade (G-Force Room)

Kindergarten (Room C147)

4 year old – (Room C141)

3 year old – (Room C137)