Concert to honor director

The Columbia County Choral Society is celebrating an anniversary and honoring one of its founders at a special Founders Day/Reunion Concert on Friday.

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In honor of the choral society's 10th anniversary, the concert will feature music by Jacques Kearns, a society founder and its first director, beginning in 1997.

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Evans, at Belair and Washington roads. The playlist features Gabriel Faure's Requiem, Tom Fettke's Majesty and Glory of Your Name, and Jane Marshall's My Eternal King in Kearns' memory, said Susan Osborn, the choral society's executive director.

"(Kearns) was a nationally published arranger of handbell music," Osborn said. The evening will include a performance by the handbell choir from First Baptist Church of Sylvania, where Kearns led and arranged handbell music.

The handbell choir will perform It Is Well, because it was Kearns' favorite piece.

He retired as artistic director in 2000 and continued to support the choral society as director emeritus. He joined forces with other artistic leaders in the community to form Columbia County Arts Inc., which promotes arts in the county.

The concert also will feature guest performances by the Augusta Chamber singers and organist Ruthie Brannen. Because the concert celebrates the choral society's 10th year, Osborn said she'd like to see former members drop in.

"Anyone that has ever sung with us is issued a special invitation," Osborn said.

Tickets are available at the door and cost $10 for seniors and students and $15 for general admission.

The music of Jacques Kearns will be featured in the concert.