Bicentennial Events at Washington Cathedral Announced
Episcopal News Service. April 8, 1976 [76126]
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Cathedral Festival '76, Washington Cathedral's year-long celebration of the completion of the nave, has begun with a series of extraordinary state day services. On Virginia State Day six bishops came to the cathedral with their people, some four thousand strong. North Carolina was not far behind with over twenty-five hundred.
The first nave dedication will take place on April 17 at 4 pm, with the dedication of the newly-completed west rose window. During the service, the Rt. Rev. William F. Creighton and Dean Francis B. Sayre Jr. will process to the west entrance and there the dean will say: "Bless, hallow and sanctify this nave with which the sacred sign of thy cross is builded up for all to see upon this holy mount... may this shelter ever be dedicated to thee with the Father and the Holy Spirit for the celebration of the day of light." The theme of the west rose is creation -- "Let there be light."
On June 5 and 6 services for the Diocese of Washington will dedicate the nave for the "gathering and sending forth of the people of God." There will be exhibits of diocesan history, special music and displays by the cathedral schools. The June 5 service is at 6 pm; the June 6 is at 11 am.
Presiding Bishop John Maury Allin will preach at the cathedral on the fourth of July at 11 am in a special service for the nation. On this occasion the nave will be dedicated for the people of the United States.
The visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Washington makes possible a special service on July 8 at 11 am, when the Queen with President and Mrs. Ford will assist at a dedication of the nave "for the reconciliation of the peoples of the earth."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Donald Coggan, will participate in the service for the Anglican Communion on September 12 at 11 am. The west entrance will be opened to the archbishop and he will be greeted by Bishop Creighton, Dean Sayre, cathedral clergy and visiting dignitaries, following which they will bound the cathedral.
The world premiere of the Gian Carlo Menotti opera, The Egg, promises to be one of the major cultural events of the year. Opening night, June 17, will benefit the cathedral with reserved seating by invitation. The remaining six performances will have ticket prices scaled from $3.50 to $8.50.
On July 10 Dave Brubeck will perform in the Washington premiere of his work, "They All Sang Yankee Doodle," with the Festival '76 chorus and orchestra. "Light in the Wilderness," another Brubeck composition, will be included in the performance.
"The Ballad of Dr. Faustus," with words by Christopher Marlowe and music by cathedral composer-in-residence Richard W. Dirksen, will highlight the month of August, opening August 4 for five performances. It will be produced in cooperation with Shakespeare and Co. of St. Albans School.
Four of the five dedication events are open to all who come. However, the service on the morning of July 8 will require seating control. Please write for chair reservations (only 4 per family) enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Address your request to: Worship Department, Washington Cathedral, Mt. St. Alban, Washington DC 20016.
JUNE
5 (Sat.) - Diocesan Day - noon - special exhibits, displays, visiting diocesan choirs
6 p. m. Dedication of the nave for the people of God
6 (Sun.) - Pentecost - 11 a. m. - Dedication of the nave
4 p. m. Concert, the Washington Senior High School Choir, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
7 (Mon.) -3:30 p. m. - Northfield Boys Chorus, Minn.
9 (Wed.) - 8 p. m. - The Copenhagen Boys Choir, Denmark
12 (Sat.) - 9 a. m. - 5 p. m. - a Baptist Sing-In
13 (Sun.) - Missouri State Day
11 a. m. The Choir of St. Michael & St. George, St. Louis
4 p.m. Post-Evensong organ recital, Edward Wallace (Church of St. Michael & St. George)
14 (Mon.) - Rare Book Library - Exhibit of Menotti Costumes
17 (Thurs.) - WORLD PREMIERE - "The Egg" by Gian Carlo Menotti (by invitation only)
18-23 - Menotti performances continue (each evening at 8:30 p. m.; Saturday, June 19 at 3 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.)
19 (Sat.) - 11 a. m. - An organ recital honoring the meeting of the Anglican Musicians' Association (recital open to the public)
20 (Sun.) - 4 p. m. - Dedication of Leo Sowerby Memorial Swell; a celebration of the renovation of the Great Organ (free, open to the public)
26 (Sat.) - 12; 15 p.m. - Concert, the North Carolina Methodist Youth Choir
27 (Sun.) - 11 a.m. - Billy Graham, guest preacher
3:15 p. m. - Prelude, Wind Children, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Novato, Cal.
4 p. m. - Evensong honoring the Cathedral Altar Guild
29 (Tues.) - Rare Book Library - exhibits of bell literature and manuscripts
8 p.m. - Concert, the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers
JULY
1 (Thurs.) - 8 p.m. - Concert of medieval music & dance, the Dupont Circle Consortium
34 (Sun.) - Nation Day - 11 a. m. - Presiding Bishop John Maury Allin, guest preacher (Sat.) - Special Open House in celebration of the 4th of July
Open House continues
5 (Mon.) - 4; 30 p. m. - Concert, the Sandefjord Girls Choir, Norway
8 (Thurs.) - 11 a. m. - Dedication of the nave for the reconciling of the peoples of the earth - Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, President & Mrs. Ford
8 p.m. - Concert, "Muses Delight" - Ithaca College Choir, New York
10 (Sat.) - 8 p.m. - Dave Brubeck Trio, the Festival '76 Chorus and Orchestra - "They All Sang Yankee Doodle" and "Light in the Wilderness"
11 (Sun.) - Florida State Day - 11 a.m. - Choir of St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville The Very Reverend John Mangrum, guest preacher
13 (Tues.) - 8 p.m. - The Ten-Bell Peal - demonstration/lecture
14 (Weds.) - 8 p. m. - The Great Organ - demonstration/lecture
15 (Thurs.) - 8 p. m. - The Kibbey Carillon - demonstration/lecture
18 (Sun.) - 10;30 p.m. - Choir of St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh
6 p. m. - Concert, McCluer High School Bands, Ferguson, Mo.
20 (Tues.) - 8 p. m. - Concert, Larry Palmer, harpsichord; Ronald Neal, violin
24 (Sat.) - 8 p. m. - Concert, Trapezoid, a hammered dulcimer quartet
AUGUST
1 (Sun.) - 10;30 a. m. - Wisconsin State Day - the Madison Boychoir, Wisconsin
4-7 - 8 p.m. - Christopher Marlowe's "The Ballad of Dr. Faustus" - additional words and music by Richard W. Dirksen
10 (Tues.) - 8 p. m. - The Washington Modern Dance Society
(Unless indicated in foregoing release, all events are free and open to the public.)
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