Hendricks Chapel to Celebrate ‘Music and Message’ with Bumper Jacksons on Sept. 15

The Hendricks Chapel Choir performs during the Sept. 8 Music and Message event.

A collective expression of joy bloomed in Hendricks Chapel last Sunday, as the gathered audience in the pews of the main chapel sung out “This Little Light of Mine” in unison with the Hendricks Chapel Choir. With the music came a message: Together, as a community, our lights can shine brighter.

This joyful moment concluded the first event in a new Hendricks Chapel series, called “Music and Message.” The program unites the Malmgren Concert Series and national award-winning Dean’s Convocation into a new weekly series that features musical performances and spoken reflection from a diversity of religious and spiritual perspectives. Students, who will collaborate with special musical guests from across the country, will lead the majority of performances.

“‘Music and Message’ is designed to allow our students to interact with guests and to share their gifts with one another, whether that be performing, speaking or presenting their research,” says Anne Laver, University organist and series organizer. “I am very excited for launch of this series.”

The Bumper Jacksons will perform on Sept. 15.

The next “Music and Message” will feature the Bumper Jacksons, a Washington, D.C., based bluegrass/swing fusion band, in concert on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. This special guest performance is part of Orange Central 2019, celebrating 150 years of Syracuse University history.

The Bumper Jacksons have been hailed as “one of the grooviest bands to come out of Washington, D.C.” Led by vocalist Jess Eliot Myhre, the group blends the sounds of Appalachian Americana with funky swing. The band includes co-founder Chris Ousley on banjo, Alex Lacquement on upright bass, Dan Samuels on percussion, Dave Hadley on pedal steel guitar and Joseph Brotherton on trumpet. Their concert in Hendricks Chapel will feature original tunes from their recent album, “I’ve Never Met a Stranger,” and a special collaboration with the Hendricks Chapel Choir.

“The Bumper Jacksons’ joyful approach to music-making epitomizes the idea behind the new ‘Music and Message’ series,” says Laver. “This group was eager to embrace the idea of collaboration with students that is central to this series.”

“Music and Message” will take place every Sunday at 4 p.m. Future programs include concerts by organist Anne Laver on Sept. 22, Ensemble Parallax with soprano Kathleen Roland-Silverstein on Sept. 29, the Verona String Quartet on Oct. 27, Theodicy Jazz Collective on Nov. 3, and Setnor School of Music Ensembles on various dates.

The series also features presentations by undergraduate research and creative works grant recipients on Oct. 6, the 2019-20 Remembrance Scholars on Oct. 20, and 2019 Spiritual Writing Contest winner Alonzo Turner on Nov. 10. For a complete listing of events, visit the Hendricks Chapel website.

“We at Hendricks Chapel are honored and delighted to create, strengthen and sustain a sacred space for artists and musicians to name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable,” says Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “As Plato said, ‘Music can ‘give soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.’” As we celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the University, and as we continue to grow our campus commitment to religious and spiritual programs and services, we look forward to building ‘Music and Message’ as a signature event for inviting learners into the fullness of life.”

Parking for this event is complimentary. Irving Garage and Hillside lots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Q1 lot will be designated for accessible parking.

Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) will be provided. For more information or to request accommodations, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or call 315.443.2901.