Book Title: HELL IN THE CHOIRSTAND
Genre: Christian Fiction; Mystery
Paperback: 298 pages
ISBN-10: 0692214968
ISBN-13: 978-0692214961
Where are you from?
I was born in Pontiac Michigan, about 25 miles from Detroit. I moved to
Tennessee as a teenager, and lived there until 13 years ago, when my wife and I
moved (and currently live) in North Carolina.
For those who aren't familiar with your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am the son of a minister who was determined that his children would learn to
play a musical instrument. I earned a Music Ed. Degree and became a choral and
piano instructor at the high school level. I began writing about 13 years ago as a
dare from my mentor and friend, the bestselling author Jacquelin Thomas.
What is your newest book about?
HELL IN THE CHOIRSTAND is the story of two musicians that play in a Detroit
area church named Ezekiel Baptist. The protagonist, Jeremiah David Day, loves
the Lord and wants to do His will, while the antagonist, Renard Singleton, decided
to join a Demonic musical cult, the Society of Tyrus. Both characters are
determined to use their music to wage an immortal battle against the other.
What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always listened as Christians talk about Satan’s mission: steal, kill and
destroy, but I’ve never heard much talk about how his occupation tries to
accomplish his mission. According to the Bible, Satan was the “anointed cherub
that covers.” Meaning – music was his occupation. Well, I decided to use my
knowledge of music to craft a novel which yielded an interesting story, but also
showed a Biblical, musical and historical significance to Satan and his defeat by
God.
Is there a message in your book that you want your readers to grasp?
One of the characters in HELL lives at the end of the story, so I have decided to
write what will by my very first sequel. My readers should look out for HELL IN
THE CHOIRSTAND II: The Spawn of Tyrus
Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?
Don’t look at the title of this book and assume that the story is about church
drama, although there is some in the story. Be prepared for a message much
deeper than that!
What is your favorite Scripture verse and why?
II Timothy 2:15. “Study to show thyself approved unto God. A workman that
doesn’t need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” In order to be a
disciple of the Word, you have to study it for understand so that you can convey
the message of God’s Word to others.
Do you have a favorite time of day to write?
There is nothing like the quiet of the morning. That’s my best time to hear my
characters as they talk.
ABOUT THE BOOK
There’s no battle like a spiritual one! In HELL IN THE CHOIRSTAND, Jeremiah David
Day moves to the spiritually desolate city of Olds, Michigan. Jeremiah, an anointed
Gospel musician, receives an invitation from Rev. Daniel Trantham, the pastor of
Ezekiel Baptist Church, to become their minister of music. Ezekiel’s congregation
welcomes Jeremiah as he goes to work establishing the music department as an army
of worshippers, but Renard Singleton, the church organist, feels that Jeremiah is
unnecessarily disturbing the natural order of things.
Renard resents being overlooked for the music minister position, and enters into a spree of revenge against Jeremiah through botched choir rehearsals and petty squabbles with individual singers. Renard concentrates the majority of his activities, however, in the spiritual realm.Unbeknownst to Jeremiah, Renard is a member of the Society of Tyrus; a secretive, demonic cult of musicians with chapters (The Pentagrammatory) that span across the country. Renard prepares a series of musical spells and incantations; prescribed from their secret book (Codified Manual of Tyrus) whose origin dates back to the 9th century and believed to be inspired by Heaven’s (excommunicated) original chief musician, Lucifer. Renard’s intention – use music to erect confusion among God’s people through
the worship services.
Renard’s father, Adrian, attempts to dissuade his son’s scheme with the admission of a thirty year old family secret, but it’s to no avail. Equipped with the new information, Renard heightens his damnable acts – the planting of arcane devices in Bibles, morbid musical arrangements, and secular compositions that call for the eradication of the people of God. As the story progresses, the Tyrus Society’s annual DOA – a nationwide strategic confusion of church worship - is fast approaching, and Renard wants to be at
the forefront of the movement.
But God has sharpened Jeremiah’s weapon.
A battle ensues as the two musicians take up arms; Jeremiah embraces the Lord while
Renard clutches the Ras el-Ain. The result is a musical showdown amidst a worship
service where human and instrumental voices unite to summon the ear of God and
mobilize an angelic host.
The Heavens are telling! HELL IN THE CHOIRSTAND is a revelation of the power that
music possesses and how faith in God restores and upholds a people, a city, and the
world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Titus Pollard is a critically acclaimed Classical, Jazz & Gospel musician, educator,clinician, playwright, and actor.He is personally responsible for teaching some of the most renowned artisans of contemporary music. Some of his former students have been in the employ of Dr. Bobby Jones, Maynard Ferguson, the New York Repertory Theatre, Kelly Price, The
Clark Sisters, The O’Jays, and the Morehouse Glee Club.
His most recent projects include the novels Hell In The Choirstand and Living Right On Wrong Street. In addition to his writing, his most recent projects include his role as Rev.
Cole in the film A Black Woman’s Guide to Getting Married (2008), the Gospel music CD Conversation with a Psalmist (2007), and the musical director of the stage play The
Whole House (2008). He is probably best known for his world-renowned video instruction series Learn to Play Gospel Piano (1989 - Present). He has been featured in three editions of Jet magazine and BET television. He is currently the minister of music for Springfield Baptist Church, Raleigh NC.
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