Music
Music and the arts are essential elements in the life of our church. In fact, we list our music as a “congregational strength.”
Our organist and music director of 26 years, Nelly Case, is retiring at the end of this academic year. To help us pave the way for change, Interim minister Joel Miller has been encouraging us to broaden our concepts of "church music."
We are fortunate to have professional and amateur musicians willing to share their talents in our congregation. In the past year alone, we’ve enjoyed, in addition to the sounds of our wonderful historic organ, many other genres of vocal and instrumental music: folk, klezmer (pictured at left), classical, avant-garde, and jazz.
The choir, under director Carol Strome, sings a wide variety of music from all periods and from many cultures and traditions, in two, three, and four-part harmony. Some pieces are sung a cappella, while others are accompanied by organ, piano, percussion, or other instruments. Choir members get together at least once a year for food and fun; they'd probably admit to mixing high-quality music-making with fun at every rehearsal.
Watch the rehearsal excerpt video, right, of the choir practicing Chilcott's Can You Hear Me, while youth members sign the words.
The Handbell Choir enjoys the use of a three-octave set of Schulmerich bells. Members are not required to have prior experience, but they do need to be able to read music and keep a steady beat. High school students as well as adults are welcome to participate. The Handbells provide the prelude, offertory, and postlude at a Sunday morning service once a month from October to May as well as playing at the annual holiday pageant.
Watch the rehearsal excerpt video, left, of the handbell choir practicing Change Ring Prelude on "Divinum Mysterium" by Fred Gramann.
Children have opportunities to sing in the children’s choir and to play handbell introits. On the left, Music Director Nelly Case coaches a mother-daughter team on a special handbell introit she wrote. On the right, they'd learned the correct technique and played beautifully!
