Cantata at Calvary Baptist Church in Dover set Dec. 17

Every year, Calvary Baptist Church in Dover performs a Christmas cantata which features the combined choir, children's choir, drama ministry and live orchestra. This year, a very special cantata is set for 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17. Music Director Dion LeMon and the combined choir will present the world premiere of "It is Well With My Soul," a hymn arrangement commissioned in honor of the Rev. Dr. Richard M. Avant, church pastor, who passed away earlier this year.

LeMon has a working relationship with the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and its conductor, Dr. Mack Wilberg. In February 2015, LeMon met with Wilberg at a music conference in Salt Lake City and requested that he compose an arrangement of "It is Well With my Soul" to honor Avant. Wilberg agreed to write the piece, but due to his heavy demands as conductor of one of the world's foremost choral organizations, the work was not finished before Avant passed away.

The good news, however, is the piece is complete. At the top of the vocal, choral and orchestra scores, there is an inscription that reads "In Loving Memory of Dr. Richard M. Avant." When this piece becomes published, anyone in the world will be able to see that the work was commissioned in honor of the beloved pastor of Calvary Baptist Church.

For more information, go to www.calvarybaptistchurchdover.com or contact LeMon at dnomel21@gmail.com or 302-531-8931.