Rev. Carmen Emerson presents
“A Chorus of 4000: When Us and Them is We”
Claudia Marshall, Worship Leader
Dr. Gary Smart, Accompanist
Timothy Edwards, Guest Musician (Violin)
A reflection on why we gather and what it means to gather with thousands of UUs at our Association’s annual General Assembly.
Rev. Carmen Emerson is the Affiliated Community Minister in covenant with BBUUC. Her work as an ordained UU minister in full fellowship happens within the wider Jacksonville community as the Lead Chaplain for Baptist Medical Center Nassau. She is a BCCI/APC Board-Certified chaplain, and her experience as a parish minister includes ten years of full-time service to our UU congregations in Albuquerque, NM (contract); Meadville, PA (called); and Nashville, TN (called).
About our Guest Musician:
Timothy Edwards began his violin studies in the public schools of Detroit (MI), enhancing this instruction with privately with Hortense and Mischa Mischakoff (the wife; and the former Concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony). He attended high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy; earned the Bachelor of Music Degree from the Eastman School of Music; and his Master of Music Degree from the University of Michigan.
He has performed extensively, holding permanent and/or substitute positions as section performer, principal and/or concertmaster with such institutions as the Flint Symphony; Toledo Symphony; the Des Moines Metro Opera; the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; and Jacksonville Symphony among others.
Though Mr. Edwards’ talents lay primarily in the classical music realm, for which he has extensive knowledge, he is also well versed in the stylistic genres of Jazz and Pop (Timothy has performed as a member of orchestras collaborating with such notable artists as Sarah Vaughn, Al Jarreau, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey; and most recently, in early 2022, had the honor of joining members of the Jacksonville Symphony as the accompanying orchestra on the tour of the legendary rock band “The Who” when they gave a performance at the Veterans Arena in Jacksonville, FL.
As a means of giving back to his community, Timothy has served as an Adjunct Professor at the Florida State College at Jacksonville (Kent Campus); on faculty at Jacksonville University for their Summer Chamber Music Intensive for young musicians; enjoys a vibrant teaching studio; and appears regularly as soloist and
chamber music collaborator on the staff of three churches in the Jacksonville area.