By Bob Braddy
The congregation at Main Street United Methodist Church in Dillon was treated to a beautiful and inspiring program of music by the Methodist Youth Festival Choir at their May 1 morning’s worship service.
This group of 120 youth traveled from 13 churches in North and South Carolina and Georgia to gather for this event. It followed their annual Festival of Music which takes place on the third weekend of April each year at Springmaid Beach, SC.
The Youth Festival Choir was formed 29 years ago by Pat Foil of Macedonia Methodist Church in Mullins, and a group from that church has participated each year since the beginning.
The Festival is coordinated by Beth Rouse and Linda Butler, along with a team of volunteers who put the event together. This year’s festival director is Constantina Tsolainous, Faculty Chair and Director of Choral Activities at the Schwob School of Music, Columbus State University. Tim Belk, Director of Music Ministries and Organist and First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, NC, is accompanist.
Those attending and participating in the Dillon performance were:
Aldersgate UMC, Augusta, GA- Linda Bradberry, Director; Hannah Corpe, Jenny Corpe, Laura Corpe, Sarah Corpe, Josh Epperson, David Fisher, Rachel Fisher, Kara Matson, Trent Matson, Hannah Kate Mulanax, Eliza Jane Sessions.
Aldersgate UMC, Greenville, SC- Chip Mays, Director; Bobby Gettys, Julian Gettys, Sean Hughes, Ethan McAvoy, Grier Seabrook.
Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Davidson, NC- Jane Cain, Director; Jacob Batty, Peri Beatty, Chelsea McDonald, Nora Munger, Austin Schneider.
First Presbyterian, High Point, NC- Elizabeth Gully, Director; Anne Beaver, Kristin Biddle, Lili Blue, Maggie Davis, Jenny Erath, Jessica Fraley, Kalie Gorham, Cecelia Gulley, Marcus Gulley, Will Harrington, Carolina Henriques, Katherin Henriques, Annie Hudspeth, Hannah Rowsey, James Rush.
Haymount UMC, Fayetteville, NC- Donna Davenport, Director; Sarah Brown, Carolyn Bubanich, Zack Fechner, Caroline Fowler, Mary Maxton Fowler, Allison Hare, Ben Howie, Chris Lynch, Cary Mundale, Maddie Osbourn.
Highland Park UMC, Florence, SC- Heather-Lynne Shannon, Kassie Franck, Hays Price, Jennifer Price, Mackenzie Shannon.
Johns Creek Presbyterian Church, Johns Creek, GA- Alicia Ward, Director; Elena Araoz, Hayden Kennett, Victoria Melin, Emilee Skillman, Mattie Skillman, Anna Ward, Molly Wolf.
Lawrence Chapel UMC, Central, SC- Laura Wagner, Director; Dani Baker, Austin Eberhart, Jamie Eberhart, Rylee Hartman, Ali Lefort, Tyler Wagner.
Macedonia UMC, Mullins, SC- Pat Foil, Director; Savannah Brooks, Stokes Brooks, Kelly Elliott, Tucker Foil, Anna Johnson, Taylor Webster, William Webster.
St. John’s UMC, Aiken, SC- Catherine Stapleton-Nance; Adam Beckum, Casey Beckum, Meagan Cathey, Kaylee Crenshaw, Briana Downs, Carly Downs, Sydney Goodlove, RJ Howle, Mitchell Matthews, Rebeka Muir, John Luke Nance, Sophie Nance, Allie Norton, Savannah Taylor.
St. John’s UMC, Anderson, SC- Gail Elron, Director; Noan Brennan, Rachel Brenna, Matthew Cothran, Rachel Cothran, Katie Gilliland, Katie Hammond, Emily Knoepp.
Union UMC, Irmo, SC- Suzamme Ringer, Director; Christopher Carroll, Brianna Kennedy, Wesley Kirlough, Martha Peterson, Jamee Ringer.