Modern Music

Greg Kendall-Ball/Reporter-News Conrad Bratton directs the choir during rehearsal at the Church of the Heavenly Rest on Wednesday, April 20, 2011.

The church’s choirs have produced several major music productions during Bratton’s tenure, including Handel’s “Messiah.”

Bratton will celebrate 38 years of service to Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest this year.

Photos by Greg Kendall-Ball/Reporter-News Conrad Brattton directs the choir at the Church of the Heavenly Rest during rehearsal Wednesday.

Greg Kendall-Ball/Reporter-News Conrad Bratton directs the choir during rehearsal at the Church of the Heavenly Rest on Wednesday, April 20, 2011.

When Conrad Bratton accepted the position of choirmaster at Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene in 1973, he thought he’d be doing well if he surpassed the 17-year tenure of one of his predecessors.

“The man that preceded me served for 12 years … the one before him 17 years,” said Bratton, who also is parish administrator.

This year, Bratton will celebrate 38 years of service to his church.

“I certainly didn’t think I would be here for 38 years, but thought it would be good if I could serve longer than 17,” he said.

Bratton, who was born in Dallas and raised in Texarkana, came to Abilene to attend Hardin-Simmons University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in music in 1964, and a master’s degree in music in 1967. He taught at the former Mann Junior High School until he accepted the position at Heavenly Rest.

“Shortly after I accepted the position, someone recommended a book to me that told me to ‘take a look at your members’ … six months from now, there will be different ones,’ ” he said. “That was true, and each time we see new faces, they bring special talents to our church.”

Church member Annabel House said her involvement in the choirs grew from both a love of singing and from Bratton’s leadership skills.

“Anyone who sees us (the choir) together knows we have a great time,” she said. “Conrad has a great sense of humor, he expects us to do our best, and makes us want to do our best. What never ceases to amaze me is how he can guide us through the six-week process of learning a piece of music — from sight-reading to performance. It’s very rewarding.”

In addition to adult and student voice choirs, Bratton directs the church’s two handbell choirs. The daunting task of controlling the movement of up to 90 bells keeps his choir members on their toes.

“Joining the handbell choir was my husband’s idea,” said House, who is quick to point out she never thought she had great hand-eye coordination. “It took me about a year to get it all together … handbells definitely take a lot of concentration.”

The Heavenly Rest choirs have produced several major music productions in Bratton’s 38-year tenure, including “Messiah” by Handel, “Gloria” by Poulenc, and Mozart’s Requiem. The choirs have given concerts all over Texas, in several states, and overseas at places including the Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey in England; St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church in Edinburgh, Scotland; and Christ Church in Vienna, Austria.

“The choirs are happy — through concert programs both at Heavenly Rest and on tour — to be an outreach for our church,” Bratton said. “I love being a part of this ministry, and I can truthfully say I have never had a day when I didn’t love this job. I love the people and I love our church; I feel very needed.”

Mike Denny, one of Heavenly Rest’s longtime members, said Bratton is known for being very dependable, and that often, if an answer is needed, the statement heard around the church is “ask Conrad.”

“In the 30 years I’ve known Conrad, there’s never been a time I can remember that he’s not there making sure things are running smoothly,” Denny said. “Conrad is what keeps our church ticking. If it happens behind the scenes, he either knows about it, or has a hand in it. He would be impossible to replace.”

Yvonne Batts, who became acquainted with Bratton when she served on the vestry at Heavenly Rest, said people just “fall in love with Conrad” when they get to know him.

“Conrad IS our church … he knows everything about the church,” she said. “He is brilliant, and I’ve never met anyone so well-versed in the Episcopal Church … His love for our faith is moving, and is unquestioned. It’s not ‘work’ to work with him; you know it’s coming from his heart.”

Although Bratton will turn over the reins of choirmaster to Wes Gomer, Heavenly Rest’s organist, in August, he will continue to serve as parish administrator.

“Wes will do a great job with the choirs, and I’m sure I won’t have any trouble staying busy,” Bratton said. “I’ll continue running the business end of the church, and sharing the joy of serving God with everyone at Heavenly Rest.”

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