“I think the turnout was a little lighter than last year, but I it was a really good crowd — a very receptive crowd,” said Cynthia Marshall, co-organizer of the event.

“Yes, I think it was one of the most enthusiastic crowds we’ve had,” added Linda Hill, St. Mary’s choral director and co-organizer of St. Andrews Day.

The festival featured performances by several local artists, choral anthems and patriotic songs, but the pipe and drum music by professional artists EJ Jones, Lyric Todkill and Dean Atkinson was the star of the evening.

Todkill                  Jones

Following the precession of the church’s acolyte and the two choirs of St. Mary’s and Midland’s St. Nicholas Episcopal Church to begin the ceremony, the trio entered the sanctuary filling the room with “Highland Cathedral” and “Amazing Grace.” The musicians received rousing applause from the crowd for their performance of “Jig of Slurs” and “Mason’s Apron.”

After the congregation joined in the fun by singing several patriotic songs and national anthems — “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies,” “God Save our Gracious Queen,” “I Vow To Thee My, County” and “Scotland the Brave” — Atkinson energized the crowd again with with his drum solo. And the three kicked of the procession with “Scotland the Brave,” leading the crowd out to the Parish courtyard to enjoy the abundant Scot’s fair provided by the parishioners of St. Mary’s.

Now a tradition at St. Mary’s, St. Andrews Day was first conceived by Hill, who along with Marshall, are the driving forces behind the event.

“My dad went to this service at my first parish in Florida, and he told me about it and sent me a program,” she said. “I thought we could do this here.”

But it takes much planning and work by the church to pull off an event of this size, she said.

“We’ve done it enough years, we have it down pat but beginning about two months before, I do something on the service every day,” Hill said.  “I think Cynthia does, too. We couldn’t do it without the help of the whole parish. There are mail outs, getting music, the musicians —  a lot of work.”

Hill promises the 2010 St. Andrews Day to be bigger and better, and the church is taking donations.

St. Andrew’s Day Evening Choral Prayer and Scottish Music Festival organizers pose with the featured musicans of the evening at a reception following the event. Pictured from left are Lyric Todkill, Highland Bagpiper; Cynthia Marhsall, event co-organizer; EJ Jones, Highland Bagpiper; Linda Hill, event co-organzier; and Dean Atkinson, drummer. (HERALD photo/Lyndel Moody)

“Each year the event gets bigger and costs more, but we are committed to not charging the public for this event” she said,

Donations can be make to St. Andrews Day at St. Mary’s Church, 1001 Goliad. Please mark St. Andrews Day donation on the check.

Participating in the service were the Rev. Barbara Kirk-Norris, rector of St. Mary’s; Dr. Keith Graumann, conductor of the Big Spring Symphony; local musicians Joseph Dawes, alto recorder and singer; Samuel Hale, trumpet and horn; Rocky Harris, trombone; Joyce Bradley and Susan Dawes, singers; the choirs of St. Mary’s and St. Nicholas’ Episcopal church; and Darry Knapp, organist/choirmaster.