September 2002, the members of the Follow Hymn Interfaith Choir successfully presented two sell out nights of story and song. The musical was divinely inspired, written and directed by Ms. Doreen Murray. The majority of gospel lyrics and music were written by Ms. Murray, Mr. Herman Grant and Ms Murray’s younger brother, James Peacock.

Together, the musicians and well-prepared amateurs and professionals brought life to the story, “You Walked With Me.” The audience laughed, cried and applauded scene after scene. The requests continue to come - “When will you do it again!” The choir and the cast of “You Walked With Me” perform year round.

 
 

North Shore Sunday *April 27, 2003*
Baptism by choir

Singers of different backgrounds, races and religions sing with one voice as part of a burgeoning North Shore gospel group.
 
Arlyne Rosenberg is a small, soft-spoken Jewish woman from Swampscott. When God needs worshiping, she generally does it in a temple. That's why it is of particular interest that in the middle of her life, she would choose as her role model a passionate African American woman who is a powerhouse of a dancer and gospel singer. Read more...>>>
 
North Shore Sunday *April 13, 2003*
We're with hymn

Let's face it, we could all use some spiritualism in our lives these days. And you ain't gonna get it from MTV. No, not even from 'The Osbournes.'

If you're really looking to 'go with God,' or at least to get down with the most truly exciting gospel music this side of the Mississippi, plan to be in Byfield this weekend, when the Follow Hymn Interfaith Choir will take to the stage for its annual original gospel musical production. The presentation is designed to bring together inspirational thoughts, uplifting music and movement from men and women who have walked with God and experienced the powerful presence of spirits seen and unseen; which sounds a heck of a lot better than another night biting your nails in front of CNN.

 
Danvers Herald *April 10, 2003*
Choir to mount gospel production this weekend

The Follow Hymn Interfaith Choir - featuring singers from all over the North Shore, including Lynn, Marblehead, Beverly, Swampscott and Danvers - will take to the stage for its annual original gospel musical production this Friday and Saturday.

The presentation is designed to bring together inspirational thoughts, uplifting music and, movement from men and women who have walked with God and experienced the powerful presence of spirits seen and unseen.

The show will take place at the Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield on Friday, April 11th and Saturday, Apri112th, at 8, p.m. both nights. Tickets are: $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors and $30 for sponsors, who get preferred seating and a post-show reception with the cast. Tickets are available at the Firehouse Center for the Arts box office in Newburyport or by calling 978- 462 - 9911or 781-321-2O52.
 

The Daily Item *April 4, 2003*
A choir of many colors

On a Thursday night at Lynn Arts in downtown Lynn, there's a whole lot of rockin' n rollin' going on and it has nothing to do with teeny-boppers tearing up the rug.

"Follow Hymn," a Gospel music ministry is in the middle of rehearsal. They're hard at work to get an original production called "You Walked With Me" up and running the night of April 11 and 12 at the Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield.

Writer and Artistic Director Doreen Murray calls the group "God's rainbow coalition." She's right on. The singers are as diverse in religion and heritage as their voices are in range. They're African Baptist, American Baptist, Jewish, Congregational and Methodist. And, make no mistake. This is no sister act. Men are lending their voices, too.

"Follow Hymn," as this interfaith choir is known, is not quite a year old. James Peacock, Jr:, Murray's younger brother came up with the name after having his arm tattooed with the same words.

Last year, "Follow Hymn" formed as a non-profit organization. Their performances, once restricted to Zion Baptist Church in Lynn, are now spreading beyond the parameters of the North Shore.

Among the singers and actors in "You Walked With Me" are Lynn firefighter Darrell Murkinson and Murray's daughter University of Massachusetts-Boston pre-med student Sharyn Hopkins.

Murray's mother Virginia Peacock-Makkers, minister of music at Zion Baptist Church, is one of the actors and serves as the group's Executive Director:

Keyboardist Herman Grant of Everett accompanies the group. Rev. Adrienne Berry-Burton, Zion Baptist, is chaplain and leads the group in prayer before each rehearsal.

An aquatics instructor at the Beverly and Salem YMCA's, Murray says she was divinely inspired to write the rousing lyrics to "You Walked With me" and other Gospel music after completing the 60-mile walk for breast cancer from Fitchburg to Boston last year.

"After the walk, I started to - reflect on all the things that had .happened to me over my lifetime," she says. "I thought about people who had walked with me in person and in spirit. The lyrics to 'You Walked With Me' and other spiritual music started flowing and they've never stopped."

To illustrate how the people closest to her have affected her life, Murray relays the story of how she developed a staph infection in her spine after the birth of her daughter: "I literally saw the 'light at the end of the tunnel' dying people claim to see," she explains. "I felt my mother's presence in that moment and believe she was the one pulling me back to life."

Alvah Parker, one of the Jewish singers and a professional work-life coach, says she was initially drawn to the group by Murray whose singing she greatly admires.

"What keeps me involved is the loving spirit of each of the members and the natural way we integrate prayer."