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The 7th Annual Sacred Music Celebration is 6 p.m. April 27 at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 201 S. Roan Street in Johnson City. The event is free and open to the public.

Musicians from across the Appalachian Highlands will present sacred music spanning a wide range of genres, including gospel bluegrass, classical, choral, contemporary and folk.

“A highlight on this year’s program will be a community collaboration of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from Handel’s Messiah,” said Program Director Abby Boone. “The Science Hill High School Chamber Orchestras and Choirs will accompany a community sing-along of this timeless piece.”

A 45-minute open community Hallelujah Chorus rehearsal is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 23 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 211 Mayflower Road in Johnson City and at 4:30 p.m. April 27 at the event location. Singers and instrumentalists from the community are welcome to participate. Sheet music will be provided. A simple pasta dinner will be served to these participants following the April 27 rehearsal.

New to the program this year is a performance by ETSU’s Gospel and International Choir. Returning performers include the ETSU Progressive Bluegrass Band — described as “an energetic gospel bluegrass group” — along with the ETSU Vocal Band, an a cappella gospel quartet. Also returning are The Jones Family and Matthew Brickey on the organ. In addition, singers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will present a men’s sacred barbershop number.

“Classical lovers will appreciate the well-known Ave Maria by Charles Gounod, which I’ll be performing with my sons, Andrew and Peter,” added Boone.

Boone says the Sacred Music Celebration promises an uplifting evening of unity, praise and shared musical expression for all ages and faiths.