As we examine the transformational powers of water throughout Lent, there will be several opportunities for you to get involved musically in March and April. To know the latest on dates and rehearsals, let me know and I’ll add you to our musician email list. A few highlights for March: This Sunday, March, 6, anyone […]
Commissioned Minister of Music
I've been proud to serve Edwards Church as its choir director since 2009, and have been a member since the following year. In 2017, I completed a multi-year process toward becoming a United Church of Christ Commissioned Minister.
On a weekly basis, I rehearse our choir, lead worship, and try to make life a bit easier for our talented accompanists, Susan Minor and Cheryl Elkins. I work closely with Pastor Debbie, passionate about worship that moves us and stays with us as we move into the world each week.
For me, music and scripture in inseparably linked. All the Bible verses that I know by heart are through their connection to an anthem or oratorio. I was told, at least partially tongue-in-cheek, that a church musician, in some ways, knows more scripture by heart that many pastors and theologians. Science shows that texts are more “sticky” when accompanied by music, and through repetition. My choristers frequently tell me on Thursday that Sunday’s anthem has been a weeklong earworm.
We all bring different interpretations to the scripture verses that we’ve learned over the years. And those personal interpretations can change wildly over the years, as we progress and make changes in our own development. The constant in all this is the verse itself. When we listen to choral albums and concerts, or make those glorious statements in rehearsal and worship every week, we choral enthusiasts are reaffirming our belief in those sacred texts. And if we find ourselves humming those melodies as we make our way through life, it may just be because it is the texts, and not the melodies, that God has planted for us to hear as the real soundtrack of our day.
My 2017 annual report is available, and you will find current posts I've written at the bottom of this page.
Group Singing Returns in February
Group Singing Returns in FebruaryWe’re excited to try multiple weeks of live music in the sanctuary this month! It feels like a long time since the amazing Christmas Sunday celebration with On the Fence leading worship alongside Cheryl at the organ, and with our choir singing “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” Even Christmas Eve, with Amy […]
Edwards Church Music: When You’re Ready to Return
From our return to the sanctuary on November 14, through Christmas Sunday we planned a gradual increase in the amount of music per service in an effort to control the number of people in close proximity singing and rehearsing together. God willing, our plan went, we would be able to reach Christmas Sunday singing joyfully, […]
Edwards Church Music: When You’re Ready to Return
Greetings, from within the sanctuary, and doesn’t it feel nice again! In the past few weeks I have informed choir members in a few forums (Zoom meeting in early November with follow-up notes, and a lengthy email last week) with a number of my thoughts about moving us toward a renewed musical life in the […]
Music News November
In the interest of utmost caution as we return to the sanctuary, the Edwards Church Council voted in October to refrain from singing in the sanctuary during our initial worship services. While we are sad about this fact, it felt like the right decision at the time of that meeting and all we can do […]
A Vision for Edwards Church Music
I had been hoping for more clarity in the world before trying to provide a fuller picture of my vision for Edwards Church Music once we get back into the sanctuary. But it has become clear to me in the last few weeks especially, that it could be a while before everything makes complete sense […]
At the Crossroads
Greetings, friends. The release of this newsletter falls right on the cusp of knowing some things in general terms about Edwards Church Music this fall but not yet having full details figured out yet. One of the greatest things I’ve learned during the pandemic was that music helped get many of us through a very […]
In Each Bud, There Is a Promise
I had the opportunity to preach in February, just a few weeks after having written my comprehensive annual report which began with early 2020, as I described totally normal worship. It then led the reader through a brief period of exploration as staff figured out what we could do after that “normal” period was no […]
Music Appreciation
This month I want to draw your attention to the music appreciation sessions that happen every Thursday night (with rare exception) live from my dining room table. By my most recent count, this month we will hit our thirtieth session since the middle of March, when it seemed like something fun to do for a […]
Bounteous Blessings
We have an incredible lineup of special music this November. For the first time during our virtual worship months, I’m reasonably sure, the majority of music you hear are recordings made especially for Edwards virtual worship. That’s amazing. And while some has been recorded by me, as you’d expect, more and more is being generated […]