Dr. C. Edward Spann, retired Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Dallas Baptist University, will speak at The Brook Hill School at 9:15 a.m. today, March 17, in The Commons.

The multi-media presentation will be on his book “Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and their Hymns.” The result of over three years research, the favorite hymns of each president will be presented in a unique way. The book contains a brief discussion of each president’s administration, whether or not he was musical, material about the music (especially hymns) heard in his White House, the story of the words and music of his most favored hymn and how it may have influenced his spiritual journey, and especially any crucial decisions he made while president.

The book includes the printed version of one of all presidents’ most favored hymns as well as a Compact Disc sung by the DBU Presidential Hymns Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Stephen Holcomb. The book was released in October 2008, just prior to the presidential elections, and is almost ready to go into its third printing. The book “Presidential Praise” also will be available at the event.