Advent/Christmas Vespers service will feature Bowers sisters, KU group
Published 9:13 am Friday, November 29, 2019
- The King University Collegium, a choral group from King University, will join Loretta Bowers and Teresa Bowers Parker in an Advent vespers to be held Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton.
Vocalists Loretta Bowers and Teresa Bowers Parker — two sisters who once sang on Broadway — and the King University Collegium will be part of an Advent/Christmas Vespers being held Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton. The church is located at 119 West F. St., Elizabethton.
The event is open to the public and will also feature music by the church’s own chancel choir and others from the congregation. Dr. Paul Gabinet is choral director at the church, and the Rev. Dr. Brian Wyatt serves as pastor.
“This is the second year we’ve brought together outstanding, local talent from our region to help celebrate the start of Advent,” stated Gabinet, the event’s organizer. “The special program will last about an hour, costs nothing to attend, and is for anyone wanting to be uplifted by inspiring solo and choral seasonal music.”
The Bowers sisters, Loretta and Teresa, are natives of Carter County and widely known for their singing acumen. Both women studied music and performed in the 1978 Broadway musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” While Loretta chose to return to Elizabethton in the 1980s, Teresa remained in New York City for many years, performing and teaching music at Baruch College. She has recently moved back to East Tennessee.
Dr. Pat Flannagan, who directs choral activities at King University in Bristol, Tenn., will be leading the King University Collegium, a group consisting of students and members of the university’s faculty and staff. During the vespers, the group will perform “Rejoice in the Lord,” a work composed by an anonymous 16th century British composer; “Come Thou, Redeemer of the Earth,” arranged by Stephen Cleobury; and “Lift Up Your Heads” by John Amner.
For more information about the Advent/Christmas Vespers, contact Dr. Paul Gabinet at paulggabinet@gmail.com or phone (423) 542-4445.