What an amazing summer it’s been with our virtual worship services. Since we will be continuing through the fall, the time is right to begin planning and we need your help! We’ve come up with a number of multi-week projects that will involve as many singers, photographers, artists, writers, poets, and dancers as possible. I’ve […]
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.
June Music Appreciation
We have so much going on musically this summer, I’m excited to tell you about it here. Our Thursday evening music appreciation classes have been a lot of fun to prepare and lead. And from what I hear, they have given people a lot to think about too. Recent topics have been “Beethoven’s Unusual Openings,: […]
Music as Mindfulness
Dear friends, Are you feeling a little distanced these days? Are you looking for a new way to broaden your interest in music? Are you always trying to be more mindful but have a “mind” that’s already quite “full”? I am offering an online music class to anyone who wants to be part of a new […]
February Choir
Some of you may have noticed that in the anthems we sang throughout January, each included the word “river” in the title. The first week of February will conclude this series with a beautiful arrangement that combines songs “Peace Like a “River” and “Kum Ba Yah.” The following week we will complement the sermon with […]
Is This Your Resolution?
If you have ever wondered when is the best time to join the choir here at Edwards Church, I’ll let you know January is not too shabby! Here’s why. We just got done with our full fall semester, which made us very busy through December. What that means is we never had time to look […]
The Most Wonderful Time
When I first came to Edwards, I admit I thought “I don’t know about these Advent anthems…” simply because they are a collection of less familiar pieces at a time of the year when secular interests are completely consumed with full-on Christmas texts and tunes. But then I returned to “Prepare Ye” and “He Come […]
So Many Blessings!
When I selected the anthems for November, I decided that I would go with recent favorites, given October had its share of unfamiliar pieces. And I was surprised by what I found: our three stewardship anthems include the word “blessings” in the title. How appropriate for our congregation! As we focus on the gifts we […]
Choir Collaborations
The choir gets to celebrate a few special collaborations this month. We will sing (for only its second time) the beautiful anthem “Grace Alone” which features guest cello and our own Jane Ezbicki on violin, each of whom will join Susan for some of the other pieces at the service. We will also collaborate with […]
Choir Returns!
As you can imagine, I’m overjoyed with the number of exciting fall services and programs that I’m sure are covered extensively elsewhere in this Steeple. As I have thought over the worship themes I’ve come up with a series of wonderful anthems, many of which will be familiar to those who have worshiped with us […]
Summer Music
In our bidding farewell to the choir this summer we left our music program in the expert hands of Susan and Cheryl until just after Labor Day. Would you be interested in providing special music at some point in July or August as a prelude, offering, or postlude? Summer is a great time to do […]