For Immediate Release

Gospel Musician, Alumnus William Heard in Concert at Princeton Seminary

Princeton, NJ, October 26, 2005–William Heard, Princeton Seminary Class of 2004, will give a public concert on Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Chapel. Titled “Marching to Zion:  Sacred Songs from the African American Worship Experience,” the concert, in which Heard will be joined by pianist Michael Gittens and the Seminary’s Cantate Domino Choir, will feature African American songs of worship.

Heard, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, began singing at an early age at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, of which his father was pastor. He was exposed to many different gospel singers, both those that his father was able to bring to sing at their church and those that he heard on recordings. His is a familiar voice to the Seminary community, as he sang in many concerts and services while a student.  “William Heard transformed the musical landscape of Princeton Theological Seminary while he was here,” said Martin Tel, C.F. Seabrook Director of Music at the Seminary. “I’m thrilled that he stayed in the area and that he is coming back to present this concert.  He remains a gift to our community.”

Heard recently released a CD with Gittens, “Songs from the Sanctuary,” which features music recorded both in Miller Chapel and at Union Baptist Church in Trenton, New Jersey, where he serves as associate minister and consultant to the church’s music program. Heard is planning six more CDs in the series, with themes such as Christmas, Easter, and Lent.

The CD is available in the Seminary’s Theological Book Agency, in the Princeton University Store, and on Heard’s web site, www.heardsongprod.com. For more information about the free concert, contact the Chapel Office at 609-497-7890.