Royce Eckhardt, hymnal editor and historian, presented a hymn festival on September 16 titled “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing!” Held at Winnetka Covenant Church in Wilmette, Illinois, the hymn festival focused on global hymnody and utilized a variety of instruments to support congregational song. 
The church’s current music director, Dimitri German, led several hymns on guitar and current board member Sharon Peterson served as primary organist for the event. In addition to emphasizing the importance of including global hymnody in worship, Mr. Eckhardt provided historical context and helpful performance instructions for each hymn.
While an hour program permits merely a glance into this vast repertoire, fourteen carefully chosen hymns allowed everyone in attendance to experience some of the best examples of global hymnody that have entered our hymnals in recent decades.
Sharon Peterson
Mr. Eckhardt served as editor of The Covenant Hymnal (1996) which was used during the event along with supplementary materials. This afternoon of enthusiastic singing was a great way to kick-off our 2018-2019 season.
Royce Eckhardt
Event reviewed by Brian Schoettler
