"to extend the church's mission of music in the community and provide musical enrichment for Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church and for the community at large above and beyond the regular program of the church."
The Sutherland Endowment Fund
Established in 1996 in celebration of twenty-five years of music ministry by Donald Sinclair Sutherland, Director of Music from 1971 to 1999, the Sutherland Endowment Fund's purpose is "to extend the church's mission of music in the community and provide musical enrichment for Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church and for the community at large above and beyond the regular program of the church." (taken from bylaws)
The Sutherland Endowment has sponsored several student composition competitions. These competitions are traditionally open to graduate and undergraduate students at accredited schools of music in the United States. Works submitted are for choir, and winning compositions are premiered by the Bradley Hills Chancel Choir. Past winners of this competition include the following:
Carolyn Pirtle of Kansas State University (2006)
"Ave regina caelorum" for choir and organ
Premiered on May 13, 2006
Dan Forrest of the University of Kansas (2007)
"All people that on earth do dwell" for choir, organ, and optional congregation
Premiered on May 23, 2010
Ayo Oluranti of the University of Pittsburgh (2009)
"Magnificat" for choir and organ
Premiered on May 23, 2010
The Sutherland Endowment has also commissioned several choral works by renowned composers, including the following:
"The snow lay on the ground" by David Conte, for choir, harp, and organ
Premiered on December 24, 2004
"O Paschal Feast" by Aaron David Miller for choir, oboe, and organ
Premiered on April 4, 2007
"Celestial Fire" by Rick Bassett
Premiered on May 31, 2009
