Interfaith Choir Festival set for March 20

Cottonwood Presbyterian Church will host an Interfaith Choir Festival celebrating "Unity, Diversity and Love," on Sunday, March 20, at 7 p.m. In addition to Cottonwood's Chancel Choir, the participating choirs include St. James Episcopal Church, the Butler West LDS Stake Choirs, Greek Orthodox Church choirs, and the Holladay United Church of Christ.

Following a tradition that has gone on for more than 26 years, each choir will perform two songs and the combined choirs will join for four songs. Each year the festival location rotates among the participating churches.

"Having participated for so many years, I've made friends in the other choirs," said Bruce Avery, choir director for the Butler West Stakes. "When someone shakes my hand or gives me a hug, it really feels good."

"I'm always impressed by all the talent represented in this small group of churches," said Becca Roper, who will conduct the Butler choir this year.

This year's theme ¬was suggested by Cottonwood Presbyterian choir director Jim Grady, after hearing a story on NPR about theological and cultural conflicts that too often arise between religious groups and within denominations.

"The speaker said something that made a lot of sense to me," Grady said. "What we all really need to realize is that we're all a sacred creation and we just need to do what Jesus told us to do and love our neighbor. If you love your neighbor, you're not going to go wrong on anything."

Grady wrote the song "Sacred Creation," to be performed by the combined choirs. In addition, he arranged a parody of the Otis Redding song, made famous by Aretha Franklin, ¬ "Respect." New lyrics urge "respect for all God's earthly family." This will be performed by choirs of Cottonwood and Butler Stake.

Planning for the concert starts months in advance when the choir directors gather to select the songs the whole group will sing. The choirs prepare individually then get together for one or two rehearsals prior to the concert.

The concert is open to the public at no cost. Those attending are invited to bring a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to Crossroads Urban Center.

CAPTION: Working together for the Interfaith Choir Festival are, from left, Bruce Avery, music chair, Butler West Stake; Becca Roper, music director, Butler Tenth Ward; Jim Grady, choir director, Cottonwood Presbyterian Church; Paul D. Maritsas, choir director, Greek Orthodox Church choir; and Scott Larrabee, organist, St. James Episcopal Church. (Not pictured: Fred Lucies, choir director, Holladay United Church of Christ)