When I was in college, I sang at an Episcopal church under the - TopicsExpress



          

When I was in college, I sang at an Episcopal church under the direction of John Mark Dunn. While I was part of the ensemble at St. John’s, I constantly asked to sing a short little hymn, Day By Day. He refused. He hated it. There was always ample opportunity, of course, since its such a utilitarian text, but, heavens, he was stubborn (and a little snobbish) and we never got to sing it. Flash forward a couple of years to my wedding: the ceremony was at St. John’s, and I had planned the music to a tee; every moment. Well, every moment except one. In the Episcopalian marriage liturgy, the wedding party moves from the crossing up to the altar. It is a short jaunt that is often done in silence, which, in a music-heavy ceremony (it was more like a concert, with incidental wedding vows) I thought would be a welcome respite. But as Kendrick and I started to climb the steps up to the chancel, Mark started playing Day by Day on the organ. And I cried. It meant the world to me. Mark died suddenly yesterday of a brain aneurysm. He was a hell of a musician and a hell of a human being. I am grateful that Octarium recorded one of his pieces so that a little bit of his genius will always be with me. In his memory, I make it available to all. RIP, Master Dunn.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 02:17:52 +0000

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