Wind Symphony To Premier “This Is Most Certainly True” in Honor of Reformation’s 500th Anniversary
The Gettysburg College Wind Symphony will premier “This Is Most Certainly True” Saturday evening
Photo courtesy of Gettsyburg College
By Alex Pearson, Staff Writer
2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, when Martin Luther climactically released his Ninety-Five Theses, his objections to practices of the Catholic church. As a college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Gettysburg will commemorate this quincentenary throughout the year including this Saturday evening, September 30 when the Gettysburg College Wind Symphony will perform “This Is Most Certainly True.”
A year and a half ago, Dr. Russell McCutcheon, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands in the Sunderman Conservatory of Music, was contacted by Jim Ripley at Carthage College and invited to become part of a commissioning project for this piece, an offer extended to schools affiliated with the Lutheran Church.
McCutcheon thought it was important to be a part of this project to acknowledge the history and relationship the Lutheran Church has with Gettysburg.
The six-minute piece was written by James Stephenson, and Gettysburg is among the first ensembles to perform the work.
This piece conveys the message, said McCutcheon, that “people should stand up for their beliefs and speak their truth” just as Luther did.
Dr. Kristin Largen, Associate Dean of Religious & Spiritual Life and College Chaplain, will make a few remarks before the piece is performed.
The concert, at which the college’s symphony orchestra will also perform, is Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. in the Majestic. Admission is $5 or free with a college ID.
