Rust College Choir
Hosted by Church and Society, The United Methodist affiliated College Choir performed in the Simpson Memorial Chapel for the United Methodist Building’s 100th Anniversary Grand Finale. (Church and Society Photo)
Special to United Methodist Insight | Dec. 6, 2024
Throughout 2024, Church and Society celebrated the momentous 100-year history of the United Methodist Building, offering educational resources and sharing extraordinary stories about the building and the dedicated people committed to social witness since 1924.
After bringing the 100th anniversary to life, the United Methodist Building’s year-long celebration closed with a historic UMB100 Worship Service, December 4, 2024, which featured the incredible Rust College choir, known as the World Renowned A'Cappella Choir.
View the entire worship service and choir performance here.
View the choir’s playlist of music selections here.
Led by music director Dr. Karl Twyner, the Rust College World Renowned A'Cappella Choir, has toured South Africa and five countries in Europe, including the newly renovated Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.
“We have a group of young people of all different backgrounds, who know how to support and love on each other, which helps us to sing better– unity in mind and spirit is what makes this choir so special,” said Karl Twyner, Music Director, Rust College World Renowned A'Cappella Choir.
Rust College, a United Methodist affiliated school and historically Black liberal arts college from Holly Springs, Mississippi, announced that the World Renowned A'Cappella Choir has been selected to participate in the prestigious 36th Annual Verona International Choral Competition in Verona, Italy from March 26 -30, 2025. Rust College was the only college choir selected from the United States for the competition.
“This opportunity to compete on an international stage is both an honor and a challenge that our students are eager to embrace,” said Dr. Karl Twyner. “We look forward to sharing our music and representing Rust College and the United States in Verona.”
Through this choral competition, you can support a United Methodist witness on an international stage. Join the effort to help the Rust College Choir students cover their cost for travel, accommodations and performance fees.
Or mail contributions to Rust College, 150 Rust Avenue, Holly Springs, MS 38635 – Attention: Karl Twyner
For more information: Email ktwyner@rustcollege.edu, Phone 662-252-8000, ext.4656/4602
United Methodist Building 100th Anniversary Resources
Anniversary Logo
Photo Courtesy of Church and Society
The United Methodist Building’s 100th Anniversary Celebration Event happened on September 26, 2024. The event was live streamed and featured Dr. Jericho Brown, Pulitzer Prize winning poet and the 2024 MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" recipient, special guest speakers, musicians, and young voices committed to social justice. Click HERE to view the recorded live stream.
To watch four new United Methodist Building video shorts “Celebrating 100 Years of Social Witness,” and for information on the year of celebration click here.
To purchase the 2024 United Methodist Building historical book written by Dr. Jessica M. Smith, For Justice and Enduring Peace: One Hundred Years of Social Witness, visit Cokesbury Publishing.