Published on
February 11, 2020
Video length
1 mins
2020 Symposium on Worship | Festival

The Aeolians of Oakwood University, established in 1946, performs choral music repertoire from the Baroque era to;the 21st century, under the direction of Jason Max Ferdinand. In 2017, they won the Choir of the World award at the LLangollen International Musical Festival. In 2018, they won three gold medals at the 10th World Choir Games and the championship in both the University Choirs and the Spirituals categories. In 2019, they became the first HBCU;choir to be selected from blind auditions to perform at the National ACDA Conference.

Jason Max Ferdinand is a professor, the director of choral activities, and the chair of the music department at Oakwood University, Huntsville, Alabama. He is in his twelfth season conducting the world-renowned The Aeolians of Oakwood University. He maintains an active schedule as a composer, presenter, adjudicator, and guest conductor for high school, collegiate, and church choirs throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. His choral series bearing his name is in circulation by Walton Music, a division of GIA Publications, Inc. His greatest passion is watching those who he has mentored become conductors and composers in their own right.

PRONE TO WONDER

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty (Reginald Heber; arr. Adrian T. Westney)

We Shall Overcome (arr. Robert T. Gibson)

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Robert Robinson; arr. Mack Wilberg)

 

THE JOURNEY OF OUR LIFE

Pilgrims’ Chorus from “Tannhäuser” (Richard Wagner; arr. William Dawson)

Examine Me (Cedric Dent)

The Chariot Jubilee (R. Nathaniel Dett; instrumentation arr. Jason Max Ferdinand) Roderick George, Tenor 

The Gospel Train (arr. Ken Burton)

Away and in Danger (Shawn Kirchner)

Shout For Joy (Adolphus Hailstork)

When I Lay Me Down to Sleep (James Mulholland)

 

WHOM SHALL I FEAR?

Jehovah Sabaoth (Donald Lawrence)

Someday (arr. Nathan Carter)

Recent Media Resources

How to Preach and Hear the Psalms

A workshop which shows participants how to preach genre-conscious sermons from the book of Psalms. Attention will be given to historical, literary, and theological issues with the aim of improving hermeneutical, generical, and homiletical practice. Participants, including hearers of sermons, will expand their knowledge of the psalms as a genre, develop genre-conscious forms and structures, and cultivate new strategies for homiletical practice.

June 23, 2026 | 82 min video
Psalms for Every Tribe and Tongue

Drawing inspiration from Revelation 7:9, Terry and Darlene Wildman will lead this workshop exploring how the First Nations Version: Psalms speaks into—and flows out from—the hearts of Indigenous North American cultures today through storytelling, songs, and interactive activities. Participants will experience how these ancient prayers continue to inspire worship that celebrates cultural diversity and unity in Creator’s Sacred Family.

June 4, 2026 | 79 min video
Local Songwriting as CSA: Support Your Local Psalm Grower!

Riffing on the themes of community-supported agriculture (CSA), Cardiphonia and Bellwether Arts have been partnering with homegrown liturgical artists to create local, organically produced fruits of the psalms through song, art, and prayer—community-supported artistry. Since 2015 they’ve been on a journey of seasonal engagement through which they have lovingly harvested almost two hundred songs, dozens of original artworks, and other liturgical produce. In this workshop you will hear from a variety of growers who sow and reap in West Michigan in various soils and sediments.

May 28, 2026 | 81 min video