Music Spotlight! (Sunday, October 17, 2021)

Sacred music written by women is quite uncommon. Yet, two of our pieces today feature a handful of talented women, all American, who all have pioneered the sacred music field in their own unique way. Read on to learn more about the contributions of 19th century composers Julia H. Johnston, Clara H. Scott, and contemporary composer Mary McDonald.

Special Music
"His Grace Will Lead Us Through" by Mary McDonald

Mary McDonald--a Knoxville, TN native--is well-known in sacred music. With a career that spans over thirty-five years, her songs appear in the catalogs of every major publisher of church music. More than a thousand anthems, seasonal musicals and keyboard collections testify to her significant contribution to sacred literature. In 2000, Mary became the first ever woman President of the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference. In addition she has served as accompanist for the Tennessee Men’s Chorale since 1985. Her greatest desire is “to give God glory for the songs He has allowed me to compose. He alone, is the true Creator behind my pen.” In 2011, after serving as sacred music editor for The Lorenz Corporation in Dayton, Ohio for more than twenty years, Mary answered a new call. Now she takes her tremendous passion and love for music making directly to churches as an independent artist. She is in constant demand in churches across the nation for composer weekends and conferences. [Source]

Mary McDonald

A song of confidence in the face of trials, this original anthem is firmly rooted in the scripture, 2 Corinthians 12:9.

...but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Julia H. Johnston

Beautiful and emotional writing is found throughout, including a chorus of "Grace Greater Than Our Sins," written by Ohio native, Julia H. Johnston, in 1910. Considering that many women were forbidden to teach, preach, or pray in "promiscuous" (mixed gender) gatherings at that time, writing a commentary on scripture would also be, most likely, not tolerated. However, the medium of hymn writing was utilized by women like Johnston in order to circumvent societal norms and protest injustices. [Source] See the chorus and listen to the full hymn below.

Closing Hymn

#451 "Open My Eyes, That I May See" (OPEN MY EYES)

Clara H. Scott (1841-1897) provides us with a hymn of consecration that has been sung for over 100 years. A Midwesterner, she was born in Illinois and died in Iowa. In 1856, Scott attended the first Music Institute held by C.M. Cady in Chicago, Ill. By 1859, she was teaching music at the Ladies' Seminary, Lyons, Iowa. She married Henry Clay Scott in 1861, and published in 1882 the Royal Anthem Book, the first volume of choir anthems published by a woman. Three collections were issued before her untimely death, when a runaway horse caused a buggy accident in Dubuque, Iowa. [Source]

Clara H. Scott

Scott's text centers around the physicality of worship, through our eyes, ears, mouth, and heart. The eyes, ears, and heart symbolize wisdom and receptiveness while the mouth has the capacity to project praise through daily action.