A HYMNATHON will occur at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiverton from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Friday, May 31, continuing 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday, June 1.
The ten-hour event benefits the August 18-27 educational tour to Argentina of the Professional Choristers of The Choir School of Newport County.
The goal: Sing one verse of every hymn in the Episcopal Hymnal 1982, 720 hymns in all, in order, concluding with the National Anthem. Choir members come and go throughout the event as their schedules and stamina allow. A rotation of organists enables playing without collapse. Bells may be rung to buy an extra verse; a gong may cancel a hymn entirely. Bell and gong prices may vary widely throughout the day, depending on keeping to 72 hymns per hour and the whim of the emcee. The event is intended to raise $20,000 to offset tour expenses.
Certain singers may be sponsored with an amount for every hymn sung. Certain hymns may be sponsored, generating a donation based on how many are singing that hymn when it occurs…and can be dedicated in honor or in memory of a loved one, with dedications shown on a video screen which also keeps a running total of the amount raised during the day. Singers can be sponsored with a simple flat-rate donation. And it’s also possible to affect the outcome globally, with an amount for each hymn-unit sung by anyone. A fun day as only a marathon can be, with a canteen in the Parish Hall and freedom to come and go as you please.
Full details, including a live stream link to participate remotely and sponsorship forms, are available at choirschoolri.org/events.
