Summer Break Series: Doxology (Liturgical praise)

Pastor Mark Longhurst and artist Brad Wells craft a communal, experiential response to the museum’s exhibitions.

Mark Longhurst is the pastor of First Congregational Church in Williamstown, MA. Mark read lots of books at Harvard Divinity School, worked for numerous social justice organizations in Boston. He also runs a blog, called Ordinary Mystic, where he reflects on the arts, contemplation, and social justice. It is also a community site occasionally featuring the work of other “ordinary mystics” who juggle jobs, families, and commitment to the nexus of contemplation and action.

Brad Wells is the Lyell B. Clay artist in residence at Williams College, where Brad directs the vocal program and teaches courses in conducting, arranging and voice science and style. He is also founder and artistic director of the GRAMMY-winning vocal ensemble, Roomful of Teeth. This new music “vocal band,” praised by WQXR as “the future of vocal music,”performs regularly. His own compositions – featured on the group’s second album, Render (2015) – have been described as “objectively and subjectively gorgeous” (I Care If You Listen). Brad holds degrees from Yale University, the University of Texas at Austin and Principia College, has held conducting positions at Yale University, Trinity College, University of California at Berkeley and California State University, Chico, and has directed choirs of all ages.

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