Hymn: A song of praise to God

Over this six-week course, we shall explore many of the hymns defining Methodism. Our hymnology will focus largely on Charles Wesley's compositions (but only a few of his over 9000 hymns and poems!); other contemporaries will be discussed as time permits. Through music, scripture, and historical backdrop we will study our heritage as hymnodic Methodists. The course format will encourage interactive discussion and peer instruction. However, no prerequisites are required other than a curiosity to learn more about hymns and a love for divine music. While most of each session will be devoted to discussion, all classes will end in voice (safety in numbers), when we shall abide by the seven "Directions for Singing" penned by John Wesley in 1761 (see page vii of your hymnal - a topic reviewed in our very first session.) All are encouraged to join in this hymnological adventure!

Dr. Harlan E. Spence has been a member of the Old South family for nearly 40 years. He was baptized, confirmed, married to Gael Phillips, and had children (Amelia, Isabel, and Nathaniel) baptized at OSUMC. He was a member of the junior choirs and, as an adult, a member of the Staff Parish Relations and Music Director Search Committees. A native of Reading, Spence has formal training in trumpet. He was a member of the Reading Symphony Orchestra, the Redman's Band, and was an alternate member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Spence continued musical pursuits at Boston University and also earned a Bachelor's degree in Astronomy and Physics. Harlan went on to receive his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of California, Los Angeles, in Geophysics and Space Physics. In 1993, Spence returned to Reading and Boston University, where he now holds the rank of Associate Professor of Astronomy and chairs the College of Arts and Science Academic Policy Committee. Harlan serves as a volunteer coach of the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad team and has been a member of the P.A.L.M.S. advisory committee.