The Federated Church of Martha’s Vineyard will celebrate Music Minister Peter Boak’s 30th anniversary with the debut of “For the Beauty, for the Glory,” an original choral anthem commissioned for the occasion. Composed by Dr. Thomas LaVoy, the piece will premiere during the church’s 10 am worship service on Sunday, Nov. 1, with Boak on piano and Rebecca Laird on violin. LaVoy will attend, and a reception will follow in the Reading Room.
The project was organized by the Rev. Dr. Mark Winters and choir member Pamela Butterick, who wanted to honor Boak’s decades of musical leadership and service. Congregation members raised funds for the commission and LaVoy’s visit. The anthem’s lyrics come from a 2009 hymn by Thomas Troeger, celebrating music’s transformative role in a worshiping community.
Boak was overjoyed when they finally received the music. “The end result has been thrilling for
all of us who have been working on bringing it to fruition,” he reflected. “[Tom] has crafted an
exquisite piece of music.”
LaVoy developed an original melody inspired by a familiar hymn tune, incorporating violin to create a countermelody. The church welcomes the public to attend the premiere at 45 South Summer St. in Edgartown.
