Music
I would guess that it is a rare day when we don’t hear music in our lives. Sometimes we get to choose what we hear – as when we’re in our car or at home. Sometimes it’s chosen for us – as when we’re at the grocery store, or in an elevator, or left on “hold” on the phone. We can be willing and unwilling listeners.
Just maybe, however, there is a place for YOU to make the music. August is a good time for you contemplate this question, in anticipation of the September start-up of the “music season.”
Just maybe, as well, you may be contemplating a stewardship question of ways that you can serve in the church. The gift of time to things that you value is an important part of living out our faith. Maybe you have some time each Thursday evening for music.
CHORAL CHOIR: Right now we have about thirty on the rolls, but usually twenty-ish on a given Sunday. It can be cozy in the loft, but there is room for you! We have a great view of the church on Sunday. There in no window glare on Father De Freeman face as he delivers the sermon. And you’ll get to know lots of really wonderful and interesting people. There is a Music Potluck in the Parish Hall on Thursday, August 26th if you are remotely interested. Practices on Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30, start on September 2nd. We sing each Sunday at the 10:30 service September 12th through the middle of May, and for four extra services: Lessons and Carols December 12th, Christmas Eve Friday, December 24th 10:15 p.m. service, Maundy Thursday, April 21st, and two services on Easter Sunday, April 24th. There aren’t any additional rehearsals or requirements beyond those Thursdays, Sundays, and four extra services (I realize that that is a lot, however. Thank you, choir, for your generous tithe-plus of time to our church!!). We usually work on anthems six to eight weeks in advance, so we can work around your travel schedule. Again, there are fabulous people in the choir that you will enjoy getting to know. Plus: we tell jokes at the end of rehearsal and then adjourn to the kitchen for popcorn and wine. If you don’t consider yourself a strong singer, you can sit next to someone who is – so don’t let a rusty voice deter you; we’ll get you back in shape. Click here for the schedule of anthems through March.
HANDBELL CHOIR: In order to ring five octaves of handbells, we need thirteen people who can faithfully commit to rehearsing every Thursday 5:00-6:30 p.m. from September to mid December, January and February. If we had fifteen, it would be even better so that we could fill spaces when someone is sick. Ringing is REALLY fun, so much so that I ring in a community handbell choir. It’s reasonably easy to do right off the bat, but you can spend a lifetime getting better. Ability to read music and to know note values is very helpful but not necessary, as well as some eye-hand coordination. Right now I think I have eleven ringers, but a couple of people have to ring double parts. Are there another two or four of you out there? I can meet with you during August for basic skills so that you can see if it’s something you’d like to do. If you’re reading this, please consider ringing!! Handbell Dates: We start with a Music Potluck on Thursday, August 26th. Rehearsals are Thursday, September 2nd to Thursday, February 17th, with Thanksgiving off (Nov. 25th), and December 16th, 23rd, and 30th. The Handbell Festival at City Auditorium is on Saturday, February 19th, 2011 (need to have this date free). If we can find dates that work, we’ll also play in church two or three times.
Requirements: the main thing is to be able to show up on Thursdays 5:00-6:30. Nobody can ring your bells when you’re absent and it leaves a hole in the music. There are 22 rehearsals from September to February; if you can be at 17… and I do keep track (allows you to miss one a month), then sign up! Also helpful: a good sense of humor and interest in an activity where every ringer is equally important!
Youth Handbell Choir: see Charlease. Possible events: Children’s Sabbath in October; for the Christmas Eve 4:30 p.m. service Friday, December 24th; possibly for other church services; and for a Youth city-wide Handbell Festival on Saturday afternoon in March or April (date to be determined).
Occasional Musical Opportunities:
*8:00 a.m. Sunday service Communion music (instrumental or vocal).
*If you play an instrument and would like to play along on the hymns for either service, I’ll write a part for you.
*Youth instrumentalists for the 4:30 Christmas Eve service and other services.
*Helping with Children’s Chapel music on Sundays at 10:45 (once in a while).
*other things you can think of!
*for any questions, talk with Bonnie
Themocracy