A capacity audience gathered on Monday evening, June 30, for the annual Midsummer Concert. Under the direction of Gary Riler, the concert theme was drawn from the beloved hymn “Come, Christians, Join to Sing.” The evening was a moving presentation of sacred and classical music that showcased the enduring joy of the Lord through symphonic and choral performances.

Hosted by Sola Adesope, this year’s concert marked his first as Superintendent General. In his welcome, he noted that “music is not merely a performance—it is an offering that uplifts, inspires, and glorifies God.” That spirit of worship and unity resonated throughout the evening’s diverse program.

After the national anthem was played, the concert opened with a spirited rendition of Gustav Holst’s “Moorside March,” arranged by Gordon Jacob, performed by the wind ensemble. Its bold energy set a jubilant tone, followed by Brian Balmages’ “Joy in All Things”, a contemporary wind ensemble piece incorporating the melody of “Come, Christians, Join to Sing.”

The evening also featured the symphony orchestra playing a piece by Johann Strauss, Jr., titled, “Perpetuum Mobile.” Later, the orchestra returned for the dramatic “Egmont Overture” by Beethoven, concluding with triumphant fanfare.

Between the instrumental selections were powerful choral and vocal features. An octet offered a moving rendition of “I See Revival,” with Chris Luka as soloist. The sanctuary choir followed with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “O Clap Your Hands,” which paired joyful text with regal brass and organ accompaniment. The choir’s second piece, Willy Richter’s “The Creation,” started with the lyrics, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” As the piece continued, the lights in the sanctuary slowly lowered until the room was in total darkness as the choir sang of the darkness that covered the earth until “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water” (Genesis 1:2). When the choir sang, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light,” the lights in the sanctuary came on, exciting for the musicians and congregation alike.  

After intermission, the ladies’ choir presented Rollo Dilworth’s “Jordan’s Angels,” a Gospel-inflected piece that brought fresh energy and soul to the platform performers. The concert closed with “When the Saints,” John Rutter’s rousing arrangement of the spiritual classic, delivered with full orchestra and choir—a finale that left the audience uplifted.

One of the evening’s most heartfelt moments came with the performance of J.S. Bach’s Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, featuring Jane Ewers and her son, Brian Ewers. Jane, who has played in the church's adult orchestra for over sixty-five years, began her musical and spiritual journey at a young age. Brian, now the church’s concertmaster, has continued that legacy, and their duet was a tribute to a heritage of faith and music spanning generations.

With a program rich in both tradition and inspiration, the 2025 Midsummer Concert reflected the joy of the Lord in every measure. As Brother Sola reminded attendees, joy is more than a feeling—it is a sustaining gift from God. For those present, the evening’s music was not only beautiful, but also a powerful reminder of that eternal truth.

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