Mostly Mennonite, Mostly A Capella featuring hymns and anthems from a variety of styles with John Horst on WEMC Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Click Here to View Playlists for Mostly Mennonite, Mostly A Capella

Perhaps you might be interested in knowing something of my philosophy of programming choices on Mostly Mennonite, Mostly A Capella. The title of the program was suggested by former station manager Phil Easley, and I think it’s unique. I do feature Mennonite a cappella music. But I also play some music outside of this tradition on most programs. In particular, the Lutheran, Anglican, and Russian Orthodox have wonderful choral traditions. The emphasis is on hymns and anthems for a Sunday morning, rather than extended choral works. And of course you’ll hear some good instrumentals for a change of pace.

I also like to feature some of our local choral groups, such as schools, the Shenandoah Valley Children’s choir, Sons of the Day, and Shekinah, to name a few. The excellent West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir from British Columbia often appears. On occasion persons offer music from their own private collections. I’m always happy to listen. And if the the sound quality and music style fits the program, I’ll use it.

On occasion some of my friends comment that I frequently play selections from the former Mennonite Hour radio broadcast archive. This is true and for several good reasons. The music is in the Mennonite tradition, it is all a cappella, many local persons (including myself with a quartet and as a choir bass) have sung in the various groups, and over 800 songs exist in the archive. The original recordings were made over a period of 15 years back in the 50’s and 60’s and cover a wide range of themes.

Persons sometimes ask whether I broadcast Mostly Mennonite, Mostly A Capella live from the WEMC studio. The answer is no. My schedule doesn’t permit me to be here on Sunday morning. We now record the programs in advance at the modern WMRA / WEMC studios and I add programs as I get new music. Presently the cycle is big enough so that no program is repeated throughout the year. The station staff is most helpful.

Just a brief biographical note. I am a retired teacher of mathematics and physics at Eastern Mennonite University. Music has always been a serious avocational interest. I sang bass in the Mennonite Hour Men’s Quartet for seven years back in the late 50’s and early 60’s, and still do quite a bit of singing and some music composing.

I always welcome your comments, questions about the music, or suggestions. Send me an e-mail.

Happy listening, John Horst