On Saturday, June 28^th, our parish celebrated the life of Johnny Wayne Bradburn, the organist/choirmaster of our parish from 1996-2010.  The service can be viewed online at:

https://www.youtube.com/live/IPeT_yAr8ng?si=3ZRHhijxkioI-C10

On Thursday, June 19th, at a little after 10 P.M., my friend and colleague Johnny Bradburn passed beyond the veil. He was a marvel of a man, an amazing musician, and quite simply, a spectacular person. It was because of Johnny that I am here at Emmanuel.

As an organist and having written my doctoral dissertation on a famous American organbuilder, I am interested in all things pipe organ. 

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Act V, Scene 2, Hamlet says to Horatio, “There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will.” Hamlet’s statement reflects the notion that our lives are shaped by both a divine influence and by human agency. 

When I taught undergraduate music, I always found the end of the academic year to be laced with just a tinge of sadness.

This week, the music ministry finished the 2024-2025 programmatic year. It has been a year of wonderful music. 

This past week my brood and I have been busy working on our bluestone driveway. It has been nine years since we have done any serious maintenance on it, and I probably waited two years too long. 

This Sunday will be my 15th Easter at Emmanuel.  As the years have passed, I’ve served with several clergy, each bringing their own gifts and approach to Holy Week and Easter, yet always rooted in the Book of Common Prayer.

Sometimes change is slow and sometimes change is fast. The Emmanuel Choir is not immune to the rule of this reality. For the last ten years or so, the choir has maintained a roster of 35 singers.

Last weekend, choristers from six parishes gathered in Southern Pines to participate in the 2025 Carolina Treble Festival held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. 

This Saturday and Sunday, Emmanuel Episcopal Church will host the 2025 Carolina Treble Festival. More than 38 choristers will be participating from churches across North Carolina and South Carolina.

This next week will be filled with musical activities. On Friday, February 21st, at 12 Noon, the North Carolina Baroque Chamber Players will be our musical guests for our next Bach’s Lunch Recital. 

Just before ten o’clock last Thursday evening, my wife called to ask when I’d be finished practicing for the night. Our daughter Norah was crying for, “Daddy to come home.”

On Monday I attended the funeral of Pete Kruyer at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cary. Pete and his family were active members of Emmanuel for some 20 years.

It has been a few weeks since I have submitted an article for the weekly E-mmanuel.  Simply, work life and home life got too overwhelming in December, universally the busiest month in the life of a church musician.