Moravian Music Foundation

Charles Fussell Score Available

Erik Salzwedel — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:09:33 +0000

Specimen Days

Specimen Days
‘Quicksand years that whirl me I know not whither’
Cantata for Baritone Solo, Chorus, and Orchestra
1992

Charles Fussell (b. 1938)
Full biographical information may be found in the Finding Aid for the Charles Fussell Collection at MMF.

Piano/Vocal Score PDF

Upon ordering, PDF will be sent via email to purchaser.
Delivery email is christopher@moravianmusic.org

The post Charles Fussell Score Available first appeared on Moravian Music Foundation.

Psalm of Joy – Raleigh

Erik Salzwedel — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:20:55 +0000

A Moravian Music Weekend Event
May 16 – 17, 2026

Come Be a Part of History!

Celebrating America 250

1776 – 2026 Semiquincentennial

The Psalm of Joy is a service of word and music that was created by the Moravians in Salem, NC for July 4, 1783 as part of the first official Independence celebration, giving thanks to God for the end of the Revolutionary War.

To Attend is Free and All Are Welcome!
Talk: History of the Psalm of Joy, Sunday 1:30 pm
Psalm of Joy Concert / Service – Sunday 3:00pm (1 hour)
Raleigh Moravian Church

Please register to Participate in the Choir or Band:
Rehearsals on Saturday
Sunday service, lunch, Talk
Concert / Service – Sunday
Raleigh Moravian Church

Participate in the Choir or Band program.
Child care provided during rehearsals and concert.
Registration includes lunch on Sunday.

Register Now !

Use coupon code psalm for 10% off the registration fee for a limited time. Call for student discount code or Raleigh Moravian members discount code.

This year we are celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. First performed on July 4, 1783, as part of one of the first official July 4^th celebrations, the Psalm of Joy is the perfect Moravian response to this event. After years of suffering and turmoil, the end of the Revolutionary War found the Moravians citizens of a brand-new nation. Tasked with celebrating the end of the conflict, the Moravians turned (as they always do) to music. Rather than revel in victory; however, it was the return of peace that spoke to them and inspired the music of this joyful work. Whether it is in regard to the end of armed conflicts or a respite from the chaos of everyday life, this message of peace and joy is something that we could all use.

This weekend event in Raleigh is a unique opportunity to sing the Psalm of Joy as part of the Semiquincentennial celebrations. Over two days, you can join with others in learning and performing this indelible contribution by the Moravians to American history. There are two tracks: one for vocalists and one for band members. The choir will sing the Psalm of Joy and the band will learn and play music from the period. We are inviting everyone to come and be a part of history, whether you are Moravian or not—all are welcome and invited to come and raise your voices and instruments in this weekend celebration of music, peace, joy, and fellowship!

Choir Director – Jayson Snipes, former Director of the Moramus Chorale and former Director of the Piedmont Chamber Singers.

Band Director – Danny Green
Conductor of the Salem Community Orchestra and Wachovia Winds Youth Wind Ensemble.

Weekend Schedule

Great Sabbath Service of Music

Erik Salzwedel — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:29:22 +0000

Under the direction of Amanda Schumpert, with Mary Louise Kapp Peeples as organist, the Great Sabbath Chorus will present a Great Sabbath Service of Music and Worship

Saturday, April 4, 2026.

Singers from all Moravian churches are encouraged to sing. Community and non-Moravian singers are also invited.

Members of the Moramus Chorale are encouraged to participate.

The music this year will include Great Sabbath anthems and hymns.

Interested singers should email Ted Leinbach at tedleinbach@aol.com.
Great Sabbath Committee

Chorus rehearsals begin on
Sunday, February 22 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Home Moravian Church.
Sunday afternoon rehearsals will continue on March 1, 8, 15, and 22 and on Friday, March 27, at 7:00 pm.

The post Great Sabbath Service of Music first appeared on Moravian Music Foundation.

Moravian Music Sunday 2026

Erik Salzwedel — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:29:53 +0000

May 3, 2026

Resources and Materials for Worship Leaders.

The Psalm of Joy and the Celebration of Peace

Recognizing that music is a means of proclaiming the Gospel, we celebrate Moravian music on the fifth Sunday of Easter. At a time when our own world seems to be rapidly changing, we can find some comfort in listening to the sounds of earlier Moravians who also recognized that through it all, God’s love remains eternal.

Peace

The theme for Moravian Music Sunday 2026

Whether it is on an international, national, local, or even personal level, we are all searching for and praying to find the peace that comes from God’s love and presence.

Moravian Music Sunday 2026

Theme: Peace

This year in the United States we are marking the Semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through all the ups and downs that this country has faced, the Moravians have been there. Back in 1783, with the Revolutionary War finally coming to an end, the Moravians in North Carolina received a letter from Governor Alexander Martin (ca. 1739–1807) proclaiming July 4th a day of celebration and thanksgiving. Unsurprisingly, the response by the Moravians was to turn to music. Out of this came a remarkable Lovefeast Ode by Johann Friedrich Peter (1746–1813) named the Psalm of Joy. Written to celebrate the end of the conflict, the Moravians, notably, did not revel in victory, but rather sought unity in the promise of peace. In this year of celebration, turmoil, joy, and anxiety, we choose to honor that legacy by searching for peace in whatever form it can be found. As Moravians have done for centuries, we choose to turn to God and our music. As we celebrate this music, let us remember that the sounds that fill our churches today are a reminder of those that have come before us, but also a reflection of who we are today.

About the Psalm of Joy

Singers Wanted for Unitas Chorale

Erik Salzwedel — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

The Moravian Music Foundation announces the 28th Season of

A performing ensemble of the Moravian Music Foundation,
specializing in music of Moravian composers
from the past and from the present day.

SINGERS WANTED!

All voices welcome !

No audition required.

Theme for 2026: Peace

We will be preparing the Psalm of Joy which is an ode created for the first organized Fourth of July Celebration in the nation! By the Moravians of Salem, NC in 1783. The ode was created by Joh. Friedrich Peter.

Unitas will present the Psalm of Joy in whole or in part on conjunction with these events:

May 8: Bethlehem Bach Choir Festival
July 11: Heritage Day (Easton, PA)

Rehearsals are held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at:

February and April
College Hill Moravian Church; 72 West Laurel Street, Bethlehem, PA.

March
West Side Moravian Church, 402 Third Ave., Bethlehem, PA

Contact Info:
Interim Director: Kyle Johnston kyle@moravianmusic.org

Final concert:
Sunday, May 4, 2025, 4:00 pm
Location: Advent Moravian Church, Bethlehem, PA

Moravian Music Foundation

1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

MMF office: 610-866-3340 (PA);

Both Moramus, in North Carolina, and Unitas, in the Lehigh Valley, are concert-level and recording-level performance ensembles. They have premiered new works by living composers and presented “first modern performances” of many (newly edited) works by historic composers. Both groups seek talented singers, with an interest in Moravian music, who welcome a challenge and are committed to excellence.

Moravian Music Foundation
Preserving, Sharing, and Celebrating the Musical Life of the Moravians

www.moravianmusic.org

The post Singers Wanted for Unitas Chorale first appeared on Moravian Music Foundation.

New Recording Release

Erik Salzwedel — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:53:00 +0000

Fierce Was the Wild Billow
Adam Goodrich, five-string banjo

Enjoy this unique musical experience of Moravian music by Adam Goodrich. Sales benefit the Moravian Music Foundation.

CD, Streaming, Downloads available now!

All the links to your favorite streaming service or purchase from Amazon music as a download are on one page!

HearNow – Fierce Was the Wild Billow

Purchase CD Now!

About the Album
Rev. Adam Goodrich is a Moravian pastor, multi-instrumentalist, and folk instrument teacher. Adam’s grandfather, Robert Conrad, was a band director at Olivet Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC for more than 50 years. Robert was an active trombone player in the Moravian funeral band, the Bethabara concert band, and the Salem band. In addition to a variety of brass instruments, he also played the mandolin, and was quite skilled at playing by ear. He lived and breathed music, and immersed Adam in music from an early age as well. He would often hum chorale tunes, and when Adam went anywhere with him in his pickup truck, they would usually listen to classical music and recordings from the low brass together.

Robert got Adam started playing the baritone horn, and he planted some seeds that would later grow into Adam’s passion for stringed instruments.

After learning to play guitar, mandolin, and banjo, Adam eventually discovered that the open tuning of the banjo lends itself well to the Moravian chorale tunes his grandfather loved.

The banjo is often considered a folk instrument, and Moravian chorales are in a way a kind of folk music. They are tunes people know by heart, they represent important aspects of life, and they have been passed down by a small community of people over the years.

Banjo playing is generally divided into two main styles with different musical philosophies that are often at odds with one another. However, this album features some songs back to back in both the clawhammer style and in the 3-finger style. This represents the Moravian commitment to unity in diversity, and is a slight nod to the Moravian Easter tradition of playing hymns antiphonally.

This album is dedicated to the glory of God and in memory of Robert Conrad, who entered into the more immediate presence of the Lord in 2024. Two of the tracks feature Robert’s own mandolin that he gave Adam years ago.

“Fierce Was the Wild Billow” was one of the hymns Robert most enjoyed. The tune and its words especially resonated with him as one who served in the Navy.

“Fierce was the wild billow, dark was the night,
oars labored heavily, foam glimmered white;
trembled the mariners, peril was nigh;
Then said the God of God: Peace! It is I.”

Read the article from The MORAVIAN magazine >>

Album Release Concert
Saturday, Nov. 1 at 2:00pm.
Bethania Moravian Church, 5545 Main St., Bethania, NC.

Enjoy a unique musical adventure and album preview concert for a new recording of Moravian hymns played on banjo by Rev. Adam Goodrich (Pastor of Union Cross Moravian Church).

The concert is free and open to the public; a love offering will help with the production cost of the album.
All proceeds from the album will go to the Moravian Music Foundation.

The post New Recording Release first appeared on Moravian Music Foundation.

Archie K Davis Center

Erik Salzwedel — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:56:00 +0000

Closed Today.

Please contact the staff via email or call 336-725-0651 ext 2, 3, or 4.

The post Archie K Davis Center first appeared on Moravian Music Foundation.

About Unitas Chorale

Erik Salzwedel — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Unitas Chorale

Interim Director: Kyle Johnston Accompanist:

The Unitas Chorale serves as the Northern Province performing arm of the Moravian Music Foundation. This choral ensemble was formed in 1996 with the support of the Foundation to provide an opportunity both for the performance of selections from the archival collections and newly-written Moravian music in the Lehigh Valley area and beyond.

The Chorale rehearses on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, with a final concert in the spring.

Membership in the Chorale is open to any interested singers; you are cordially invited to speak to the director or any Chorale member if you are interested in joining.

More About Unitas >>

Unitas will present the Psalm of Joy in whole or in part on conjunction with these events:

May 8: Bethlehem Bach Choir Festival
July 11: Heritage Day (Easton, PA)

More about the Psalm of Joy at https://moravianmusic.org/moravian-music-sunday-2026/

Rehearsals are held, 3:00 – 5:00pm

February and April
College Hill Moravian Church, 72 West Laurel Street, Bethlehem, PA

March
West Side Moravian Church, 402 Third Ave., Bethlehem, PA

Contact Info:
Director: Kyle Johnston

About Unitas Chorale Artists

The post About Unitas Chorale first appeared on Moravian Music Foundation.

Moravian Day of Giving

Erik Salzwedel — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 22:23:00 +0000

Together We Give:
Rooted in Faith, United by Love, Filled with Hope.

No matter where you live,
we are your Moravian Music Foundation.

We inspire worship music around the world, engage with diverse musical cultures and communities, and educate both current and future generations of Moravian musicians. This work is our joy and our calling at your Moravian Music Foundation.

Please consider giving today.
We have several upcoming international projects that need your support. Your gift will reach students, musicians, and worship leaders wherever Moravians are found. None of this is possible without your support.

Invest in the Music

About your gift…

Comenius Music Academy

Erik Salzwedel — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:10:00 +0000

Current Class Offerings
(details and sign-up links, below)

Music Theory 101 (Online)

Deep Dive: C.P.E. Bach (In-Person)

Lenten Musical Journey

A musical devotion and prayer journey
through Lent. One session per week for 7 weeks.
Wednesdays, Feb. 4 – March 18 / 12:00pm

ONLINE via Zoom

Sign-up for Zoom Link

Join MMF’s Darla Earnest on Zoom for a 7-week musical devotion and prayer journey throughout Lent. Let’s set the tone together for the Easter season… musically and spiritually!
Wednesdays, 12:00pm – 12:30pm
Dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18.

In-Person Music Theory & History

Classes for all ages by Christopher Ogburn, PhD, Executive Director and Staff Musicologist of the Moravian Music Foundation

Everyone is welcome!
Comenius Music classes are free; donations will be accepted.
In-Person classes do NOT have a remote option, but may be offered online at a later time.

Deep Dive:
C.P.E. Bach

Exploring the Collections of MMF

Thursdays, 1:00pm
May 14
May 21
May 28

Class Details

Moravian Music Foundation

Charles Fussell Score Available

Specimen Days

Psalm of Joy – Raleigh

Great Sabbath Service of Music

Moravian Music Sunday 2026

May 3, 2026

The Psalm of Joy and the Celebration of Peace

Peace

Moravian Music Sunday 2026

About the Psalm of Joy

Singers Wanted for Unitas Chorale

SINGERS WANTED!

All voices welcome !

No audition required.

Theme for 2026: Peace

New Recording Release

Archie K Davis Center

About Unitas Chorale

Unitas Chorale

Moravian Day of Giving

About your gift…

Comenius Music Academy

Lenten Musical Journey

In-Person Music Theory & History

Deep Dive:C.P.E. Bach

Deep Dive:
C.P.E. Bach