Spring 2026: Walk In The Light

Program and director notes from Georgia Festival Chorus' performance of Walk in the Light in 2026.

David Scott, Artistic Director

with

Cathy Adams, piano

Randall Romig, organ & piano

Michael Cromwell, Associate Director

Ken Terrell, Assistant Director

Kelly Grba, Conducting Intern

Welcome to our 2026 Spring concert season — a time of prayer, promise, and praise. Walk in the Light highlights the uplifting power of music to inspire, steady, and guide us, a message especially meaningful in today’s unsettled world.

This diverse program of timeless American classics, sacred masterpieces, powerful anthems, beloved hymns, and soulful spirituals explores the experiences and virtues we encounter as we follow Jesus. The fervent prayer of Haydn’s “Kyrie Eleison” finds its echo in “Down In the River to Pray,” and these prayers expand into the profound devotion of Marshall’s “My Eternal King.” The contemporary hymn “I Want To Walk As a Child of the Light” stands at the heart of our theme — a passionate, heartfelt prayer for guidance and illumination.

Walking often brings to mind direction and destination. In this concert, the promise of an eternal future shines through the American folk hymn “Bound for the Promised Land” and the spiritual “Wade in the Water.” Even the spiritual based on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, “Poor Man Lazrus,” offers a thoughtful reminder about life choices and relationships.

Praise is sometimes imagined as a grand emotional outpouring. While that can be true, we also encounter a quieter, more resolute character of praise in “Neither Angels, Nor Demons, Nor Powers” and “Grace.” This wide range of expression mirrors the many qualities of light — from the stillness of morning to the brilliance of midday to the calm of evening.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, we are delighted to highlight well-loved tunes with a distinctly American accent. Our patriotic selections include “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” alongside spirituals such as “Wade in the Water,” “Poor Man Lazrus,” and “Music Down In My Soul,” and American folk songs including “Bound for the Promised Land,” “Down in the River to Pray,” “Shenandoah,” and “Grace”.

Many of these selections will also be featured on our GFC Tour to Ireland this May. We look forward to singing in Kilkenny and Galway— not only in their beautiful churches, but also in friendship concerts with local choirs. As lovely as the scenery will be, we anticipate the joy of sharing music with new friends even more.

Thank you for joining us !

David Scott, Georgia Festival Chorus Artistic Director

View the full schedule of our live concerts at Listen.