V. Earle Copes

V. Earle Copes is a lifetime career musician and ordained United Methodist Minister, now retired, who serves as organist at First Congregational Church, Winter Park, Fla. His career has involved a number of full-time church positions in several of United Methodism's largest churches; faculty positions at several colleges and a seminary; the editorship of a professional journal for church musicians; and consultant to the revision committee for the 1966 United Methodist Hymnal. While in Dayton, Ohio, he was instrumental in establishing the Dayton Organ Academy, a scholarship program for gifted high school students.

Copes has composed over 200 anthems, organ pieces, and orginal hymn tunes, and has had an active career as an organ recitalist and consultant, as well. Works published by Selah include the anthem, To Jordan Came, and the organ works, Flourish on McKee and V. Earle Copes: Intonations and Harmonizations.

Copes was born in Norfolk, Va. in 1921. He received his B.A from Davidson College in North Carolina and his Master of Sacred Music and Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He has received awards from the Carnegie Foundation and the Federal Republic of Germany.

--www.selahpub.com