A Brief History of the Sewanee Church Music Conference
“We are here making a beginning of what promises to be a very pleasant and profitable thing, and we ask you for your help and interest, as well as yourself to take part in it.” Writing these words in April 1951, Bishop Theodore N. Barth, bishop coadjutor of Tennessee, announced the creation of an annual summer conference of church music patterned after one held in Evergreen, Colorado. Because of the distance and difficulty in traveling there, it was felt that such a conference should be held in the Fourth Province of the country. On February 27, 1951, at Bishop Barth’s request, ten representatives of the 13 dioceses in the Fourth (Sewanee) Province met at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As Bishop Barth stated, this conference was not to be a school in organ playing, nor a general instruction in the art of choral singing, but focus on the relationship of music to the liturgy of the Episcopal Church. It was his hope “that many of the organists and choir directors in the average city, small town, and even country parish will be able to come to this, and that the congregations they serve will help to make it possible.”
Dr. Adolph Steuterman from Calvary Church, Memphis, was made chairman of arrangements. Thomas Alexander, St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, would be Bursar and Registrar, with Milton B. McGrew, Church of the Good Shepherd, Memphis, as Secretary. McGrew was succeeded by Richard T. White, St. John’s Church, Memphis, in 1953. F. Arthur Henkel, Maurice Pederson and Jack Edwin Rogers also participated.
The fee of $50.00 covered tuition, room and board for the ten-day conference that was held July 17-25, 1951. Daily classes included topics such as “Liturgy and Church Music in their Historical Development”, sessions on Anglican and plainsong chants, choir techniques and the Hymnal 1940. Anthems and service music were studied and then performed within the liturgies during the conference, with the choir made up of the attendees. As stated in the brochure for this first conference, “Afternoons will be free for recreation and private consultation with the faculty and members of the provincial committee. Not the least important is the close companionship and discussion with many fellow musicians from all over the South. This is a rare and valuable experience, cementing life-long friendships. Not infrequently, much invaluable learning results from informal discussion at the dinner table or on a leisurely stroll along some mountain trail.” These very words could be penned today - 60 years later - about the spirit of the Sewanee Church Music Conference!
This first conference drew 54 attendees (from 11 Dioceses) to the Dubose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tennessee. Rev. Massey H. Shepherd, Jr., Professor of Church History from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, made the first of many appearances. Robert L. Hobbs, St. Luke’s, Louisville, Kentucky, Lyman P. Pryor, St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, Florida and Robert L. Van Doren, Trinity Church, Columbia, South Carolina, comprised the musical faculty. The Rev. Cyril N. Sturrup, Rector of St. Paul’s, Winter Haven, Florida, served as Chaplain.
Regarding Massey Shepherd, Richard White (who served as Registrar for 13 years) related: “He was probably the finest liturgist in the country. He could talk for fifty minutes (the length of the classes) on the Prayer Book, the psalms, the structure of the service, etc. with no notes and never searched for a word. He was even invited to the Vatican to participate in discussions on liturgy.”
Highlights of the first conference included Sunday worship at St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, where Tom Alexander was Organist-Choirmaster. A picnic followed at Chickamauga Lake. Wednesday Choral Evensong was celebrated at All Saints Chapel on the Sewanee campus. Response was so enthusiastic that it was agreed to make the gathering an annual event.
The second conference grew to 73 attendees representing 17 dioceses. Massey Shepherd and Robert Van Doren returned as faculty, joined by Ray Francis Brown from General Theological Seminary in New York; William Teague, St. Mark’s, Shreveport; Frank Slater, St. Andrew’s, Jackson, Mississippi. Bishop Frank McElwain, Director of the Dubose Center, was Chaplain. The conferees again served as the choir for the Sunday service at St. Paul’s, Chattanooga. Wednesday Evensong was “back on the mountain” at All Saints Chapel, with Bishop Barth preaching.
By 1955, there were 90 attendees from 17 dioceses in 9 states. Anthems sung that year included Judge Eternal by Marchant; Richard de Castre’s Prayer by Terry; Save Us, O Lord by Bairstow; God Is Gone Up by Titcomb. Over the next three years, attendance fluctuated: 1956 – 65; 1957 – 60; 1958 – 77. The tuition had increased to $55.00 by the ninth gathering (1959) when 88 persons from 24 states were treated to a study of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Haydn’s Creation, and Sowerby’s Forsaken of Man.
In a 1964 letter to Peter Fyfe, Christ Church, Nashville, Adolph Steuterman - still serving as Chair of Arrangements - informed him that funds to cover travel expenses for the Music Committee of the Diocese of Tennessee had been authorized. This committee, headed by Bishop Barth and chaired by Dr. Steuterman, led the conference planning in its early years. Possibly in partial recognition of his efforts on behalf of the conference, Steuterman was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the South in 1958.
As Registrar, Richard White mailed the conference brochures, maintained a card file of those attending, with a large map showing the places from which attendees came. One of his more pleasant jobs was to ring the bell in Claiborne Hall every morning to wake the conferees - that is, when the bell rope hadn’t been tied up in the belfry, out of his reach! David Ramsey, then at Church of the Holy Communion, Memphis, succeeded White as Registrar in 1965. In 1970, Richard Sidey, St. John’s Cathedral, Knoxville, took over the important duties of Registrar - until an emergency appendectomy occurred a few days before the 1992 conference. Happily, he recovered, but this incident forced the small “Committee on Arrangements” to face the issue of the conference depending on a few devoted members.
By 1967, the leadership of the Conference began to rotate, with various individuals serving as Director. Foremost among them was Everett O’Neal, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. Under the title of Manager, he was to serve the Conference for many years, continuing the good work of the founders. After his untimely death in 1996, a scholarship was named in his memory and is awarded to two first-time attendees each year.
In 1965, Gerre Hancock, from St. Thomas Church, New York, made the first of two appearances on the faculty, returning in 2000 for the conference’s fiftieth anniversary.
The twenty-fifth anniversary conference was directed by John L. Hooker, then at St. Paul’s, Chattanooga. This 1970 gathering was marked by an unusually festive schedule of events, including Choral services sung by the Choir of Christ Church, Nashville, the Colson Chorale, Advent Matins, Epiphany Evensong, organ recitals by Jack Ossewarde, Sam Batt Owens, and David Koehring. The fee for the week had risen to $165.00. The new Bishop’s Hall provided air-conditioned facilities and private baths for the first time.
In the brochure announcing the silver anniversary year, the first reference is seen of a Conference “Stunt-O-Rama” (now entitled “Frolic”), held Saturday evening after the closing banquet. It is interesting to note that, in the same brochure, this directive regarding conferees’ mode of dress was finally deleted after many years: “Slacks and shorts are not acceptable wear for ladies at class sessions and services. Extreme modes of clothing are not desirable. A high standard of conduct is expected of all who attend the Conference.”
As successful as the conference was, 10 days was thought too long for some to be absent from their professional duties. Others felt that the experience climaxed with the Eucharist on Sunday, and the remaining days were somewhat of a letdown. The 1970 conference shortened the schedule to seven days: beginning on Monday evening, with a mid-week Evensong, culminating in Sunday Eucharist at All Saints Chapel. This pattern is followed today.
Sensing the need for a more formal structure of leadership for the growing gathering, former Director Keith Shafer, St. Paul’s, Augusta, encouraged the members of the Committee on Arrangements to consider incorporation. In 1993, the Committee on Arrangements became the Board of Directors of the Sewanee Church Music Conference. The following year, the conference experienced its largest enrollment ever - 167 - straining the physical facilities of the Dubose Center. With enrollment now limited to 150, many long-time attendees return their registration forms immediately so that they may be assured of a place.
Throughout its existence, the Conference has drawn its faculty and recitalists from among the leading lights of the musical and clerical world. In addition to those already named, attendees have benefitted from the expertise of: Mildred Andrews, Vernon de Tar, Marilyn Mason, Sam Batt Owens, James Litton, Paul Manz, Alec Wyton, Jack Ossewarde, Marion Hatchett, Eric Greenwood, Dan Matthews, Raymond Glover, George Faxon, Larry King, Marilyn Keiser, Peter Hallock, Bruce Neswick, Huw Lewis, Ben Hutto, Judson Child, David Hurd, Barry Rose, Donald Pearson, and Malcolm Archer, among others.
Often noted for its “family reunion” atmosphere, this one week in July is a high point for many church musicians who would gladly affirm Bishop Barth’s words: “This is a rare and valuable experience, cementing life-long friendships.”
Jane Scharding Smedley, Secretary of the Board
Faculty
Sewannee Church Music Conference
1951-2010
1951
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
The Rev. Cyril Sturrup
Robert Hobbs
Lyman Pryor
Robert Van Doren
1952
The Rev. Frank A. McElwain
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
Ray Francis Brown
William Teague
Robert Van Doren
Frank Slater
1953
The Rev. Stanley Brown-Sherman
The Rev. Lowell Beveridge
Ray Francis Brown
John Glenn Metcalf
Robert Frederick Freund
1954
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
Jack Edwin Rogers
Robert Cochrane Penick
Sam Batt Owens
1955
John Boe
Gilbert McFarlane
The Rev. Harry R. Heavey
John Glenn Metcalf
Richard White
1956
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
Vernon de Tar
Jack Ossewaarde
William Teague
Jack Edwin Rogers
1957
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
The Rev. David B. Collins
William Teague
Robert Van Doren
Ronald Arnatt
1958
The REv. Massey Shepherd
David McK. Williams
Ronald Arnatt
Burnet C. Tuthill
1959
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
Benjamin Harrison
David McK. Williams
Ronald Arnatt
1960
The Rev. David Collins
David McK. Williams
Jack Ossewaarde
John Glenn Metcalf
Marguerite Pearce Metcalf
1961
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
Jack Ossewaarde
William Lemonds
Robert Van Doren
Mildred Andrews
1962
The Rev. Harry Heeney
Jack Ossewaarde
William Teague
Mildred Andrews
1963
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
William Teague
Jack Edwin Rogers
Sam Batt Owens
1964
The Rev. Massey H. Shepherd, Jr.
Grover J. Oberle
Sam Batt Owens
Everett O’Neal, Jr.
1965
The Rev. William Schmidgall
Mildred Andrews
Gerre Hancock
Joseph Runnung
Judith Running
1966
The Rev. David Babin
Vernon de Tar
Gerre Hancock
Everett O’Neal
1967
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
Marilyn Mason
Vernon de Tar
Sam Batt Ownes
Everett O’Neal
David Ramsey
Sabeth Thomas
1968
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
Robert Craig
Preston Rockholt
James Litton
Ronald Rice
1969
The Rev. Marion Hatchett
Robert Craig
Marilyn Mason
Hugh Thomas
James Litton
Arthur Rhea
1970
The Rev. Massey Shepherd
Robert Craig
Paul Manz
Robert Powell
Hugh Thomas
Robert Van Doren
1971
The Rev. Marion Hatchett
Robert Craig
Marilyn Mason
Preston Rockholt
Joseph Running
1972
The Rev. Howard Galley
Alec Wyton
Marilyn Mason
Hugh Thomas
1973
The Rev. H. Boone Porter
Marilyn Mason
Ronald Rice
James Litton
1974
The Rev. Timothy Stevens
Alexander Anderson
William MacGowan
Hugh Thomas
1975
The Rev. Raymond Sturm
David Koehring
Jack Ossewaarde
Gregory Colson
Peter Fyfe
Sam Batt Ownes
Dorothy Swanson
1976
The Rev. Marion Hatchett
The Rev. Donald Henning
Alec Wyton
Larry King
1977
The Rev. Hollis Williams
The Rev. Donald Henning
Alec Wyton
Larry King
1978
The Rev. Eric Greenwood
The Rev. Daniel Matthews
Raymond Glover
James Litton
1979
The Rev. Larry Carden
The Rev. Robert Tharp
Margaret Dickinson
Melvin Dickinson
George Faxon
1980
The Rev. Robert McCloskey
Larry King
Marilyn Keiser
Terry Eason
David Bowman
Louise Speck
1981
The Rev. Marion Hatchett
David Forbes
John Fenstermaker
William MacGowen
David Lynch
John Stuart Anderson
1982
The Rev. Paul Rasmus
Eric Greenwood
Robert Delcamp
Robert Kennedy
Judith Hancock
1983
The Rev. Chester Larue
Gregory Holmes Singleton
Peter Hallock
Thomas Foster
1984
The Rev. Robert McCloskey
Jeffrey Rickard
Raymond Glover
Susan Rupert
1985
The Rev. Gene Ruyle
The Rev. Geoffrey Butcher
Donald Wilkins
Charles Rigsby
Marilyn Keiser
1986
The Rev. Jerry Godwin
Todd Wilson
Anne Wilson
Susan Rupert
1987
The Rev. Thomas McCart
Keith Shafer
Bruce Neswick
Wilma Jensen
1988
The Rev. John Mangrum
Edgar Billups
Huw Lewis
1989
The Rev. Roger Ferlo
Harold Pysher
James Livengood
1990
The Rt. Rev. Judson Child
Robert McKiver
Ray Urwin
Robert Delcamp
1991
The Rev. William McKeachie
Wylie Quinn
Robert Simpson
1992
The Rt. Rev. Robert Tharp
Brian Jones
Huw Lewis
Darryl Miller
1993
The Very Rev. Guy Lytle
Benjamin Hutto
James Litton
Bruce Neswick
1994
The Rt. Rev. Judson Child
David Hurd
Michael Corzine
Thomas Gibbs
Roy Johnson
Richard Kingston
Dennis Milnar
Roland Martin
Marilyn Gonzales
1995
The Rev. Norman Meservey
Charles Beaudrot
Marcia DeBarry
Paul Heald
Robert McIver
Lorie Meservey
Everett O’Neal
Stephen Schaeffer
Robert Simpson
Bruce Smedley
Nancy Thurmond Sutton
1996
The Very Rev. Charles Kiblinger
The Very Rev. Guy Lytle
Bruce Neswick
Donald Pearson
James Cook
Marcia DeBarry
Donald Dupee, Jr.
Mary Jo Williams
1997
The Rev. Geoffrey Butcher
Richard Shephard
Donald Smith
1998
The Rev. Dr. Neil Alexander
Marilyn Keiser
Ray Urwin
Roy Johnson
Raymond Gotko
John-Paul Buzard
Keith Shafer
1999
The Rt. Rev. Judson Child
David Hurd
Huw Lewis
Peter Mathews
Roland Martin
Mark Schweizer
Bruce Smedley
Jane Scharding Smedley
2000
The Rev. Cynthia Taylor
The Rev. Dr. Paul Westermeyer
Gerre Hancock
Barry Rose
Roland Martin
Bruce Smedley
James Brinson
Robert Delcamp
Susan Rupert
Keith Shafer
Mark Schweizer
2001
The Reverend Dr. Joe Burnett
Dr. John Fenstermaker
Dr. Stephen Hamilton
Marty Wheeler Burnett
Marilyn Haskel
Keith Shafer
2002
The Reverend Dr. Joe Burnett
Malcolm Archer
Peter Richard Conte
Marty Wheeler Burnett
Keith Shafer
Jason Abel
Donald E. Dupee, Jr.
James Brinson
2003
Dr. Murray Sommerville
Dr. Joseph Flummerfelt
Hazel Sommerville
The Reverend Dr. Christopher Bryan
Keith Shafer
Robert Delcamp
2004
Malcolm Archer
Huw Lewis
Iain Quinn
The Reverend Dr. Susanna Metz
The Saint Paul’s Canterbury Choir (Augusta, GA)
Commissioned music by Andrew Clarke, Malcolm Archer and K. Lee Scott
2005
Bruce Neswick
Harold Pysher
The Reverend Dr. James Turrell
Keith Shafer
Choristers from St. George’s Church & the Blair Children’s Chorus, Nashville
Commissioned music by Michael Burkhardt & Craig Phillips
2006
Jeffrey Smith
Peter Richard Conte
The Right Reverend Joe Burnett
Dr. Jane Gamble
Wendy Klopfenstein
Thomas Pavlechko
Susan Rupert
Mark Schweizer
Jennifer Stammers
John Spain
Commissioned music by David Briggs & Peter Richard Conte
2007
Gerre Hancock
Judith Hancock
The Reverend Dr. Dennis Maynard
Don Dupee
Celia Tolar-Bane
Robert Delcamp
Susan Rupert
Mark Schweizer
Commissioned organ work by William Bates
2008
David Hurd
James Litton
James Farwell
Richard Moore
Alvin Blount
Bruce Smedley
Roland Martin
Elizabeth Smith
Suzanna Metz
Suan Rupert
Mark Schweizer
Keith Shafer
Commissioned Evening Service by David Hurd
2009
Thomas Foster
Dr. Janette Fishell
The Reverend Dr. James Turrell
Susan Rupert
Jane Scharding Smedley
Elizabeth Smith
Richard Moore
Keith Shafer
Commisioned organ voluntary by James Biery
2010
Malcolm Archer
Peter Richard Conte
The Right Reverend Joe Burnett
Marty Wheeler Burnett
Bradley Almquist
Susan Rupert
Robert Delcamp
Keith Shafer
Mark Schweizer
Commissioned anthem by Malcolm Archer