When Bellefontaine native Anastasia Hiatt took the stage to sing with the Indiana Wesleyan Chorale at the university’s March 22 convocation, she did not know the opportunity it would provide. The chorale performed during the induction of Ranjy Thomas into the IWU Society of World Changers.
When the IWU choir rose to sing, they captured the attention of one of Ranjy’s guests, Dylan Thomas, CEO & Founder of CREATR and Songwriter & Music Director for Hillsong United. He literally turned in his seat to take in the full effect of the IWU Chorale under the direction of Master Davy Chinn.
At the conclusion of the convocation, and during a subsequent lunch conversation, Thomas praised Master Chinn for the chorale’s sound —the exact tone in his quest to create a worship-centered experience for the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C.
He wondered if the group would be willing to record soundtracks for the museum’s exhibit. Master Chinn said, “I jumped at the chance, as the timing is indeed providential.”
The choir room was abuzz as Hiatt joined her peers in the meticulous recording of the tracks. They corresponded via Microsoft Teams with the composer of the project, Harrison Wood.
The city native felt the opportunity was a huge blessing.
“It was so fun to record for something that so many people will get to experience,” she said. “It was truly an honor that they wanted our voices to be a part of this project, and that we will have this connection with all those involved.”
The recorded tracks will contribute to the Museum of the Bible’s “All Creation Sings” exhibit, which opened April 18 and will remain a fixture of the Museum of the Bible for the next five years.
The Museum of the Bible hopes to take the exhibit on tour after its conclusion on site, so the IWU Chorale voices will ring on for years to come through this four-movement, 25-minute experience illuminating worship through video, narration, and music.
Learn more about the exhibit, watch the promotional video, and purchase tickets at www.museumofthebible.org/all-creation-sings. Learn more about the IWU Chorale at www.indwes.edu/ministry-teams/university-chorale.