Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will host its annual Christmas choral concert “Joy to the World! The Music and Poetry of Christmas” Tues., Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hicks Memorial Chapel, 616 N. Highland Ave. The Rev. George E. Tutwiler, organist-choirmaster, will direct the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Choir. This event is free and open to the public with a reception immediately following.
The 32-voice choir will sing Christmas music by a variety of American, British, and Italian composers. The choir and audience will join together in traditional carols. Representatives from the Seminary community will read poetry appropriate to the season.
Tutwiler has been organist-choirmaster and instructor in church music and United Methodist studies at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary since 1981. He received his bachelor’s in music and English from Geneva College, where he was elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and served as a lecturer in music. Tutwiler also earned a certificate in theological studies from Wesley Theological Seminary. Further graduate studies were taken at Union (N.Y.) Theological Seminary School of Sacred Music and the University of Pittsburgh. Widely known as a recitalist, conductor, and clinician, he was dean of the Pittsburgh Chapter, American Guild of Organists and served as a member of the Guild’s National Council for eight years as councilor for the Mid-Atlantic states. He presently serves as the national director of the Committee on Seminary and Denominational Relations. An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, he is a member of the World Methodist Council. He has served as associate pastor/minister of music at three Pittsburgh area churches from 1962-2001 (First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, and Coraopolis United Methodist Church.) His research interests revolve around the current status of liturgy and music in Protestantism and the significance of the Moravians on the Wesleyan movement.
For more information on this event, contact the Office of Continuing Education at 412-924-1345 or .
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa. and approximately 340 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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