Music Notes

I hope everyone had a great summer! Members of the congregation had vacations and mission trips, but many still shared their musical talents, and I would like to thank everyone that performed this season. Chuck Stagar, Jeff Canter, Pam Mayo, Grace Rogansky, Sarah Bollman, and Laura Hess, as well as Leap of Faith, the projector operators, and all who helped with worship were all fantastic, and I would personally like to thank them for blessing us with their talents.

Coming up this fall is a chance for everyone to participate musically in worship in one of our many ensembles. If you, your child, or a friend would like to join the Chancel Choir (Adults; 18+), Wesley Chorale (6th-12th grade), or Children’s Choir (K-5th grades), please email me; if you are interested in the Bell Choir, please email Pam Mayo. This way you can be included on all of our mailing lists to receive updates about rehearsals, special performances or invitations to ensemble events.

I would like to take the chance to talk about our Children’s Pageant. This will be a wonderful and fun experience for all who participate, and we will need adults to make sets, bring snacks, and help their children learn the music and lines. Children are encouraged to come and bring friends if possible, but remember that if they do decide to join us for our pageant, they must be present for the rehearsals. So please, be at the first rehearsal (during children’s choir) so we can make sure everyone that wants to can join us for the show. The pageant this year will be a lot of fun with many lead roles and fun, catchy songs from around the world that children of all ages will know and love. Animals from every continent, a flying ship and the story of the first Christmas all come together for a fun, moving and unforgettable experience that everyone will love, so don’t miss out!

We have a full performance calendar from now until Christmas for all of these groups, and if you are a member of any ensembles already, please be sure to be at the first rehearsals so you can claim your music and work out any issues you think you may have with scheduling. Here are the important dates for our music ministry:

September 1st – First rehearsal Chancel Choir
September 11th – Chancel Choir performance for the Hero Remembrance Sunday
September 15th – Children’s Choir first rehearsal
September 18th – Wesley Choral first rehearsal

October 9th – Bell Choir performance
October 16th – Children’s Choir performs for special baptism
October 30th – Wesley Chorale sings for contemporary service

November 20th – Wesley Chorale sings for traditional service

December 11th – Children’s Choir Pageant
December 18th – All Ensembles Perform

Times:

Thursday: Chancel Choir – 7:30-9:00; Children – 6:30-7:00; Bells – 6:15-7:15
Sundays: Wesley Chorale – 12:15 (when the second service ends)

Location: All groups meet in the choir room, except for the Handbell Choir, which meets in the big room underneath the Simpson room.

Musical ability is a great thing to have, but is not needed for any of our music ministries; rather, they are a great place to acquire those skills and experiences. Please join us! I am so excited about all of our performances, and with the growing levels of experience and musicianship in all of our groups, I hope that this year could be our best yet! As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me any time, and have a blessed fall.

Peace,
Cody

Here comes the sun! Summer is here and along with it the relaxation and time with family, friends and, most importantly, time to get to know Jesus and the Spirit within ourselves better. The music ministry at SUMC is the perfect place to spend this time and grow in this knowledge together – as a church family – and I encourage EVERYONE to be involved and become part of our musical, church family.

When I arrived at SUMC from New Life Presbyterian church (formerly Northminster Presbyterian Church) in Bellevue, I was astounded at the level of ability, professionalism and diverse backgrounds of everyone involved. There is no difference in age or ability that will stop these dedicated musicians from praising together in a very fun and gratifying way. God gives us gifts of ability and talents, and it is our choice of how to use them: I believe that the only reason I was given my talents was to create the same skill and desire in other people, and as a member of any of our musical ensembles, Chancel, Children and Bell choirs; Wesley Choral; and “Leap of Faith”, you can too.

This past season was a challenge for me to walk into a completely new environment and immediately pick up with the program and take it further; because what we do together is compounded over generations and for over a hundred years of music making. The fine musical tradition at Sewickley is a legacy continued today – by you – the church family and together we grow into a tree bearing righteous fruit for the Lord. My goal is to take people of varying musical backgrounds and levels of experience and train them, together, to produce a sound that is of the same level of professionalism and quality that you’ve come to expect of such fine musicians. If you join us, you will become a fine musician and you can experience this musical quality first-hand … and have a great time doing it!

The musical season is over and now the time for individuals to shine is here. Anything you would like to do, be it singing alone or in a duet or ensemble; playing a solo or as part of a group; singing or playing with your children or as a family; please let me know – we have plenty of programming space. And, of course, all members of the congregation are invited to join me at 10:30 Sunday mornings in the choir room (downstairs) to go over the hymns and sing them from the choir loft. This is a great introduction to being a part of a musical group at the church, and children are welcome as well. It’s never too late (or early) to start praising the Lord through music with the talents he’s given you!

I’d also like to take this space to thank all of the volunteers that have helped me with the music program here. This would be everyone in any ensemble because they are all volunteers; the beautiful music we are blessed to hear comes from these children, young-adults, and adults who graciously donate their time and talents to our organizations. I especially want to thank Susie Moffett and Pam Mayo who help me so much with everything musical. Thanks again to everyone for a great season!

Blessings,
Cody