Over the Mountain Festivals

Over the Mountain Festivals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization made up of volunteer planning committees who believe in the importance of fostering and perpetuating the singing of sacred choral music and in providing training and encouragement to directors and singers of small choirs (adults and children) to the glory of God, the edification of the participants and the benefit and enjoyment of the community.

Begun in 2008 as an idea of a small group of individuals who believe in the importance and value of sacred choral music to singers and the community, OTM Festivals was brought to fruition by the work of an all-volunteer planning committee along with support of friends and sponsors.

The first festival, Festival ’09, was held Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2009, at Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Birmingham. James Brown, Director of Music at Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, was the inaugural Guest Clinician. Each year since the Festival has ben held on the third weekend in February. Festival ’10 at Canterbury United Methodist Church with K.Lee Scott as the Guest Clinician. Festival ’11 was also held at Canterbury with James Brown returning as Guest Clinician. Festival ’12 was held at Mountain Brook Baptist Church with Dr. Timothy Banks as Guest Clinician.

The culmination of each Festival is a concert of Sacred Choral Classics, with a chorus of 70-80 singers(from many different churches and choral groups), organ, and a chamber orchestra of Alabama Symphony players; conducted by the Guest Clinicxian. The Festival organist is Jamie McLemore, organist at South Highland Presbyterian Church.