The 26th Moravian Music Festival

2021 & 2022

July 18 – 24, 2021
Online

In July of 2021…
Please make plans to connect and learn with Moravian and non-Moravian sisters and brothers, of all ages, from across the continent and around the world, as we share our love of the Savior, joy of music, in a variety of online and virtual musical and educational experiences during the week-long Moravian Music Festival.

July, 2022
In-Person

Then, in the latter half of the week ending July 30, we will again join our voices and instruments in music and worship, along with Moravian and non-Moravian sisters and brothers, of all ages, from across the continent and around the world, as we share our love of the Savior, joy of music, along with learning and the hard work of preparation, in a variety of experiences during the shortened in-person Moravian Music Festival in Bethlehem.

Go to Festival Website

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2021

2021 will use platforms such as Zoom and YouTube to allow us to connect and share over the internet.

2022

2022 will be on the campuses of Moravian College and Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, PA.

In 2021:

Expect special online programs, concerts, workshops, and much educational content, etc.

Listen and View
concerts, lectures, master classes, demonstrations, etc.

But, we don’t expect you to sit in front of a computer screen for 8 hours a day! You will options for when and how long you want to participate.

Participate in:

rehearsals, concerts, preludes,
recordings, videos,
workshops, roundtables, collaborations, lessons, master classes,
Zoom socials, interest groups, games,
… and much more!

Concerts and services are free and open to the public.
Concerts each evening are preceded by devotions and a band prelude.

REGISTRATION is required to participate in choral and band programs, other ensembles, workshops, and the children and youth programs.

Registrants may participate in:

Virtual Chorus
Virtual Band
Concerts shared on YouTube and other platforms
Educational opportunities: lectures, master classes, roundtables
Zoom Discussions and Games
Online Social opportunities
Youth and Children’s programs

Children’s Music Program and Activities for the whole week!

Youth Participation in the Festival is encouraged, with special opportunities!

2021 Festival Links and More Info

THE PURPOSE OF MORAVIAN MUSIC FESTIVALS

to provide an opportunity for Moravians and non-Moravians to learn about and enjoy the Moravian musical heritage while obtaining the guidance needed to better interpret this music; and
to foster the development of music and worship leadership skills through seminars, workshops, and participation in choral and instrumental groups with the goal of enriching the life of local congregations; and
to be a dimension in the ministry of the Church to meet the spiritual and fellowship needs of its members; and
to be a forum for the discussion of current research on Moravian music; and
to be a vehicle for sharing the rich musical heritage and culture of Moravian communities to the music world at large.

2009 Festival – Davidson College Presbyterian Church, NC

For more information, please follow the “25thMoravianMusicFestival” on Facebook. Registration is not yet active for this event in 2021.

All concerts are free and open to the public.

Each concert is preceded by a band prelude. Sponsored by the Moravian Music Foundation www.moravianmusic.org

HISTORY

Beginning in the 1930s and 1940s, scholars and musicians discovered a veritable treasure trove of music in the archives of the Moravian Church in America – manuscripts, early printed music, much of it in German. As they explored more, they were awestruck at the quantity of music, and the variety of composers – those known to be Moravian, and those known in wider musical circles.

Working with American-born and trained conductor, Thor Johnson (son of a Moravian minister and native of Winston-Salem, NC), a group of clergy and laypersons in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, decided to hold an Early American Moravian Music Festival and Seminar, in Bethlehem, on June 26-July 2, 1950.

Since then, the Moravians have planned and hosted 23 more Festivals, and in 2017, will host the 25^th Moravian Music Festival in Winston-Salem, NC.

The following statement of purpose for Moravian Music Festivals was adopted by the Provincial Elders Conferences in joint meeting, January 22, 1985.

RECOGNIZING

that music is an important element in worship, enhancing one’s ability to respond to the Lord;

1987 Edmonton, Alberta
that music has been an integral part of the Unitas Fratrum for over 500 years; and
that our church, through the inspired work of its laity and clergy, has been blessed with a wealth of musical compositions which have enriched worship since the mid-15th century; and
that this unique musical heritage presents us with responsibilities and unlimited opportunities for its development and dissemination; and
that the Festivals are the only Moravian Church sponsored events that include all, regardless of age, sex or geographical difference; and
that the wide-spread use of Moravian music provides our denomination with one of its most effective means of outreach, the Interprovincial Music Festival Committee states that

2003 Band Prelude (Goslen)

THE PURPOSE OF MORAVIAN MUSIC FESTIVALS IS

to provide an opportunity for Moravians and non-Moravians to learn about and enjoy this musical heritage while obtaining the guidance needed to better interpret this music; and
to foster the development of music and worship leadership skills through seminars, workshops, and participation in choral and instrumental groups with the goal of enriching the life of local congregations; and
to be a dimension in the ministry of the Church to meet the spiritual and fellowship needs of its members; and
to be a forum for the discussion of current research on Moravian music; and
to be a vehicle for sharing the rich musical heritage of Moravian communities to the music world at large.

The Salem Brass Band of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa plays on the Davidson College campus, 2009 Festival