Virginia Wesleyan College

"No school on the east coast comes close to offering the innovative programs Virginia Wesleyan has in the sacred arts."

"After attending 'Sacred Sounds: Enchanting Powers' I realized how limited my definition of sacred music had been. What an eye-opener!"

"The topics, the instructors - it's all wonderful!"

(The quotes listed here have been taken from evaluation forms completed after several of these seminars.)

 

The Center for Sacred Music at Virginia Wesleyan College offers an annual symposium series to foster understanding and encourage an appreciation for diversity in the Sacred Arts, and the worship ritual of various faith communities. Each hour-long session is offered at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday or Thursday during the college's co-curricular hour, allowing students and faculty from throughout the college community to attend. The sessions are also open to the public at no charge.

2008-09 Symposium Series

"Sound and Symbol: Theology and the Arts"

What part do the Arts play in devotional practices and in worship services? Does the Divine speak to us through them, or are they simply our own reflection?

CANCELLED - check back for rescheduled date September 25 (11am, FA9) Music and Ritual in Middle Eastern Religions Dr. Anne Rasmussen
November 13 (11am, FA9) A (brief) History of Iconography Dr. Melanie Reuter
February 19 (11am, FA9) The African-American Spiritual John Wesley Wright
March 10 (11am, FA9) The Bible for a Visually-Oriented Culture Dr. Craig Wansink
April 2 (11am, Fine Arts 9) Music and Ritual in the Hindu Religion Padmarani Rasiah Cantu

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2007-2008

"A Celebration of Charles Wesley's 300th & a Celebration of the Wesleyan Tradition" A celebration of Charles Wesley's tercentennial with an overview of our college connection to the Wesley tradition.

2006-2007

"Jamestown 400" A celebration of the music and religious traditions the first settlers left behind in England, and those which they established on these shores.

2005-06

"Sing Out, Spirit!" Music and ritual of Festival Days and High Holy occasions in various world religions.

2004-05

"Sing Me to Heaven" Music and ritual associated with funerals and memorial services in various world religions.

2003-04

"Sacred Sounds: Cultural Unity & Diversity" The similarities and differences in music of sacred ceremony in native tribes throughout the world, and in mainline Christianity.

2002-03

"Here Comes the Bride" Wedding music and ritual in various world traditions.

2001-02

"Let All The World In Every Corner Sing" Ritual, tradition, and music in the general worship of various world faiths.