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Presbyterian Association of Musicians to Honor Professor Mark Britt with Lifetime Achievement Award
The Presbyterian Association of Musicians will recognize Furman music faculty member Dr. Mark Britt with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his many years of service and leadership at the annual Music and Worship Conference held at the Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, NC.
For numerous summers, Britt has been at the heart of the conference, coordinating and directing its instrumental components with a blend of artistry, organization, and deep commitment to the worshiping community. His work has shaped the musical experience for countless participants — from seasoned church musicians to students discovering the conference for the first time.
This summer’s gatherings, scheduled for June 21–26 and June 28–July 3, will mark Britt’s final season in this role. The Lifetime Achievement Award stands as a fitting tribute to Britt’s enduring contributions to the Music and Worship Conference and to the broader community of Presbyterian musicians. His legacy at Montreat is one of excellence, service, and a profound love for the role of music in worship.
Temporal Echoes: New Album from What Is Noise Debuts on Navona Records
April 3, 2026 marked the release of Temporal Echoes, the newest album from What Is Noise, issued on the Navona Records label through Parma Recordings. The project is a significant milestone for the ensemble and highlights the work of faculty member Dr. Anastasia Christofakis, whose performances and artistic leadership are woven throughout the recording.
Recorded in Daniel Recital Hall by engineer Martin Aigner, the project captures the ensemble’s dynamic range and collaborative spirit. Photographer Jeremy Flemming contributed the visual elements, documenting the energy behind the sessions.
Support from a Furman Standard Grant helped bring Temporal Echoes from concept to completion.
Dr. Forbay Coauthors First‑of‑Its‑Kind Guide to Afrikaans Art Song Literature
The book Afrikaans Art Song Literature: A Translation and Pronunciation Guide, coauthored by Bronwen Forbay, was published by Oxford University Press in July 2025. It is the first book of its kind. According to the description on the OUP website, “Afrikaans art song literature is a fascinating but neglected genre, largely inaccessible to non-native speakers outside South Africa. For the first time, this translation and pronunciation guide makes Afrikaans art songs available to an English-speaking audience. Compiled by two music scholars and professional performers, it provides original International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions and word-for-word translations in English. The selection represents some of the most beloved and beautiful Afrikaans poems from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, set by highly respected composers.
As well as the poems themselves, the authors give a brief history of Afrikaans art song literature, information on influential composers and poets, and useful footnotes about the unique geography, culture, landscapes, and peoples of South Africa. The book concludes with a pedagogical lyric diction guide and lists of resources for obtaining sheet music. Afrikaans Art Song Literature is an invaluable book for all musicians who want to perform or teach this little-known repertoire worthy of inclusion among the greats of the art song literature canon.”
The coauthors, Dr. Christian Bester (Oklahoma State University) and Dr. Forbay, were recognized by the South African Academy of Arts and Sciences during festivities celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Afrikaans language in 2025.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, they presented lecture recitals at the University of Georgia, Oklahoma City University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Ithaca College, and several other institutions.
Below are photos of the book’s cover and a photo with TCU students following their presentation in February 2026.
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Professor Emeritus Dr. Leslie W. Hicken to Publish Two Major Research Papers on Edwin Franko Goldman
Dr. Leslie W. Hicken, Professor Emeritus and the Charles E. Daniel Professor of Music is having two research papers published this year. “Edwin Franko Goldman’s Premieres and Commissions of Original Works for Band” appeared in the Winter 2026 edition of the National Band Association Journal. “Edwin Franko Goldman and the Founding of the American Bandmasters Association: Letters and Correspondences” will be published in the Fall 2026 edition of the Journal of Band Research.
Dr. Charles Tompkins Returns to the Concert Stage with Two Recitals Featuring Works for Organ and Violin
Distinguished University Organist and Professor Emeritus of Music Dr. Charles Tompkins performed recitals during the first week of February at Christ Church (Episcopal), Andover, MA and Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA. Dr. Tompkins was joined on these programs by his son Gregory Tompkins, a professional violinist who teaches privately and performs with several orchestras in New England. The recitals included works for solo organ by Bach, Mendelssohn, Price, and Walcha, and pieces for solo violin and violin and organ by Telemann, Biber, Stanley, Rutti, and Langlais.
