Spotlight on: Rev. Dr. Norma Lee Kerns Barnhart, Spirito! Advisory Council member

(From Spirito! Newsletter Issue #2, 2010-2011)

Rev. Dr. Norma Lee Kerns Barnhart serves as Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Elmhurst. Rev. Barnhart sang with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus under Robert Shaw, and studied conducting with Elmer Thomas, as well as with Margaret Hillis. She has taught music in the public schools in both elementary and high school. She also taught humanities at the College of Charleston while in Georgia, and served as Minister of Music with the Chicago Temple First United Methodist Church for thirteen years. As you can see, Rev. Barnhart comes to Spirito! with both a music and a theology background.  In fact, Dr. Barnhart received her Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. in Arts and Theology.  

Rev. Barnhart commented on the value of the relationship between art and theology with respect to the Spirito! choirs.  She noted, “the use of different instruments, soloists, and the variety of wonderful historical texts are all ways art and theology are ‘dancing together,’ to provide a magnificent experience for both the performers and the audience, making the whole a sum of many artistic parts.”

The Spirito! Singers’ Service Sundays are something that Rev. Barnhart values highly as a great benefit to both the singers and their listeners.  She feels that the Spirito! Singers “give this gift of fine music to the public that represents a variety of styles, texts, and music to enhance the artistry of the listener as well as the singer.”  Rev. Barnhart believes that, “worship integrates, music, sounds, participation of the people, [and] art in its many forms, to touch the soul of those present.  In this way, the people participate and are not just ‘spectators’."  

In addition to serving the communities, Rev. Barnhart values the whole Spirito! experience.  She commented on the benefits for the choir participants.  “They are learning foundational music and performance skills, and forming community with others with whom they might never come in contact.”  Rev. Barnhart believes that this experience allows the Spirito! choirs to take the music “into their souls.”  What a wonderful way to explain why the Spirito! ensembles have become such an integral part of so many lives.