AGO Hymn Festival at St. Mark's on Sunday, September 27th at 7:00 p.m.

The Jacksonville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will host a hymn festival titled: The Church of Christ: A Mission to Serve. The festival features hymns and readings around a theme of peace and justice. Each hymn will be played by a different member of the chapter. Some of the organists scheduled to play are: Rodney Cleveland (Lakewood Presbyterian Church and Chapter Dean), Zach Klobnack (All Saints Episcopal Church), Matt Daniel (St. Margaret's Episcopal Church), Jane Daugherty (St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church), Tony Testino (Interim at Geneva Presbyterian Church), Tim Mack (Holy Cross Lutheran) and David Emery (St. Matthew's Catholic Church).

The public is invited to attend and sing! An offering will be taken to support the work of the guild and a reception will follow.

Kingdom Choir for Grades 1 - 6 Begins on September 13th

Children are not just the church of tomorrow, they are also the church today! Our singers in the Kingdom Choir prove that each time they lead in worship.

This choir, for children in grades 1 - 6, prepares music for Sunday morning worship and attends a Chorister's Guild music festival annually. This year's festival will be held on February 27th in Winter Park. Singers learn to read music, provide music for services at St. Mark's, and have a good time doing it! Rehearsals are held after the 11:00 service each Sunday and last about one hour.

Contact Tony Cruz for more information.

Pictured: Singers and their parents who attended last year's Choristers Guild festival

San Marco Chamber Music Society: Sunday, September 13th at 7:00 p.m.

The first concert of the San Marco Chamber Music Society's 2009/10 season will be a benefit concert for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It will be held Sunday, September 13 at 7PM at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3976 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville 32207.Come and enjoy the fine acoustics of St. Mark's as we play the music of Reger, Bach, Eichner, Telemann, Britten, and Saint-Saens. Eric Olson, oboe; Karen Pommerich, violin; Ellen Olson, viola; and Edith Moore-Hubert will be the featured performers. The concert is free, and there will be a free will offering to benefit JDRF. The first $200 raised will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. After the concert, please enjoy refreshments in Hart Hall with the musicians.

An Invitation to Singers: Bach Vespers on November 8, 2009

Singers from the community are invited to join St. Mark's in singing a Bach Vespers service, with orchestra, on November 8th at 6:00 p.m. This year's cantata is Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden (Stay With Us For Evening Falls), written for Easter Monday and first sung nearly 300 years ago on April 2, 1725. There is no charge to be a part of the choir. Rehearsals are on Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00 on October 17th, 24th, and 31st. The dress rehearsal with orchestra is on Saturday, November 7th at 2:00 p.m. (I put the dress rehearsal in bold type because it is not our usual time; however, it's a busy week for many of our orchestra players and was the only available time.)
For more information, contact Tony Cruz at vespers@comcast.net, or by calling the church at 396-9608 x18.
St. Mark's has a long tradition of singing Bach Vespers as part of its musical outreach to the community. We hope that you will become a part of the tradition this year!

Be A Disciple: Serve in the Festival Choir

Have you been listening to the sermons about the Six Marks of Discipleship and wondering where you might be able to serve at St. Mark's? Perhaps you could serve by singing in the Festival Choir! Our committed group of singers meets in the music suite on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 where we rehearse to support the church's song. In addition to the hymns and liturgy, we learn a repertoire that covers a a wide variety of music: plainsong, renaissance polyphony, English cathedral, music from the German tradition, spirituals, and music by living composers.

The choir sings each Sunday, alternating between the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. (On major feast days, we sing at both services.) We're on our summer break now, but rehearsals will begin August 26th so that we will be in place for Rally Day.

If you are considering joining the choir and have questions, contact Tony Cruz or any choir member.

Photo: The Festival Choir annual Advent photo from 2008 by Bill Daugherty

Sewanee Church Music Conference - A Taste of Things to Come

Many of you have heard me say what I believe our lives will be like once Jesus returns to establish his kingdom on earth. It's a glorious vision of choir practices by day and concert and worship services by night! That's part of the appeal of the Sewanee Church Music Conference at the University of the South in Sewanee Tennessee - because they already live that way! (Many of you will remember that this is where Nancy R. -who grew up at St. Mark's - went to college.

A good part of the day was spent in rehearsals with Thomas Foster (Parish Musician at Epiphany Episcopal Parish in Seattle Washington) and Dr. Janette Fishell (Professor of Organ and Chair of the Organ Department at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University). The purpose of these rehearsals was to prepare for a Friday Choral Evensong (vespers) and a Sunday Morning service of Eucharist. My favorite piece was "If Ye Love Me" by Philip Wilby. I've ordered it for our choir and believe it will become a staple of our repertoire. (The piece is available on ITunes if you'd like to give it a listen.)

All Saints Chapel on the University Campus is an incredible space for choral music, especially when that music has been prepared by 120 musicians dedicated to leading the best worship possible. The church seemed full of our Magnificats and Glorias in a way that can't be described. It was uplifting and worshipful in a way I simply cannot describe.

There were also workshops to attend on Psalm singing, organ performance, choral techniques, and more.

I have attended this conference before, but the last time was in 2003. Still, I was able to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. There were several people from Jacksonville that I knew, including one of my former organ teachers.

Until Jesus returns, it's nice to get away to the Sewanee Church Music Conference now and again!

If you would like to see more pictures, they are available on my FaceBook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028678&id=1473301698&l=10b6205de7

Pictures: Me with Russell, Lawrence, and Chip. Me with Fay L. and Bill P. (my former organ teacher), an inside view of All Saints Chapel.

June 7, 2009 at 5:00 pm Church Music Celebration!

The Church Music Celebration marks the end of the rehearsal season for most of the music ensembles at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church. To mark this important time, all of our musical ensembles gather to present their favorite muscial pieces from the previous year. This means there will be music from all liturgical seasons and in a variety of styles. You'll hear The Festival Choir, Kingdom Choir, St. Mark's Ringers, Alleluia Ringers, Renaissance Men, and The Behind the Pulpit Ensemble. This year there will also be a special appearnce by Eric and Ellen Olson from the San Marco Chamber Music Society, St. Mark's newest musical ensemble.

This is an informal concert event and everyone is invited. Please invite your friends! We'll have time for fellowship and refreshments after the concert.

An offering will be taken to help build Lutheran churches in Haiti!

The Experience Youth Choir June 22nd at 7:30

The Experience from Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC

Each summer this group of young people takes a summer tour. In all, about 80 youth and adults make the tour as they share the good news of Jesus Christ through contemporary music, signing, technology, and drama. The group is directed by Mark Glaeser. Many will remember their visit to St. Mark's several years ago.

The concert is free and all are welcome! An offering will be taken to help the group cover expenses of the tour.

Everbody is invited to this concert! Please plan to come and invite your friends!

Music 101: Learn The Basics of Reading Music

Do you ever open Evangelical Lutheran Worship on Sunday morning, see a hymn you don’t know, and have difficulty participating in the singing? Do you wonder why we bother to print the music for psalm refrains and psalm tones? Do you think all of those lines, circles and stems above the lyrics are a secret code forever lost to you? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then Music 101 might be for you!

Music 101 teaches the basics of reading music from rhythm to notes in a fun six-week course. It is designed for the novice music reader to make your worship and musical experiences easier and more meaningful. The class will meet on Wednesday evenings beginning June 10^th, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Location to be announced.

Each session will also include a Church Music Appreciation module with a different topic each evening.

There is no charge and the class is open to all interested participants from St. Mark’s and the community. Feel free to bring a friend. Each class will build on information from the previous class, so make-ups will be available if a class is missed.

Contact Tony Cruz to register.

The San Marco Chamber Music Society Features Ruxandra Marquardt Sunday April, 26th at 7 PM

Ruxandra Marquardt

This concert features Ms. Marquardt playing the Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor by J.S. Bach

Other works include: Fantasy Quartet by E.J. Moeran (Eric Olson, oboe)

Music by Telemann

A surprise world premiere!

The concert is free and all are invited!

Holy Week 2009 at St. Mark's

Holy Week began with the Palm Sunday procession from All Saints Episcopal Church with All Saints and Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. The handbell choirs from the three churches joined together to play the prelude, then we processed around All Saints singing "Ride On, King Jesus."
Wednesday brought the conclusion of the "Stones" series preached by Pastor Dow and Pastor Peacock for our midweek Lenten worship.

Maundy Thursday began with Confession and Forgiveness, followed by a footwashing service, Holy Communion, and the stripping of the altar.

Good Friday saw a Stations of the Cross service at noon, and a living Stations of the Cross in the nave at 7 p.m. The latter featured actors in biblical dress reenacting the stations of the cross in tableau with music by the Festival Choir.

Saturday night was the Easter Vigil which brought the display of six panels depicting the six lessons from the Old Testament that we heard that night. The "Creation" panel was done by students and graduates of St. Mark's Ark. The "Flood" panel was done by the One Light Singles' Ministry group. Lauren S. did "Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones." Thanks to all of our artists, and to Bob W. for building the panels and hanging them. Music for the service was done by the Renaissance Men, St. Mark's Ringers, Kingdom Choir, and the Festival Choir.

Easter Sunday featured accompaniment of the hymns by organ and the Lion's Brass. The St. Mark's Ringers played Michael Helman's "Variations on Hyfrydol," and the Festival Choir sang Randall Thompson's "Alleluia."

Christ is risen indeed!

Easter Vigil Saturday April, 11 at 7:00 p.m.

The story of Jonah and the big fish is a classic tale about God's grace. The Old Testament is full of stories like this one: The Creation, The Great Flood, and The Valley of Dry Bones to name a few. Come to the Easter vigil to hear these stories again, illuminated by poetry, drama, art and music. The artwork pictured shows just two of six pieces (approximately 5 feet x 3 feet) that will adorn the nave for our vigil celebration.

Bring a bell (any size, color, pitch) to ring during the Gospel Acclamation as we celebrate our Lord's resurrection. Music, hymns, preaching, baptism, and holy communion will all be part of this annual celebration. Come and bring a friend!

Musical Bears

Twice each week the "bears" (4 year olds from St. Mark's Ark) come to the music suite for "Tunes." This time includes singing games, songs, and playing Orff instruments. We also learn about words that describe music and how to use our singing voice as opposed to our talking and shouting voices.

Some of the Songs we have learned are: O How Good Is Christ the Lord, Chatter With The Angels, All Night All Day, Jesus Hands Were Kind Hands.

Everything looks pretty orderly in these pictures, but it doesn't alwasy feel that way. It wouldn't be possible without Miss Mallory, Miss Marie, Miss Danielle, and a few of the other Ark teachers as well.

Children at St. Mark's Ark have several opportunities for music. In addition to "Tunes," they have singing time with Miss Paulette and Miss Susan.

Dancing On The Mountain

On Transfiguration Sunday Pastor Peacock's sermon was titled "Dancing On The Mountain." After the sermon, Shellie, James and Emily shared the gift of dance to the song "El Shaddai."

We thank these three for sharing their gifts with us.

Choristers Guild Festival

The motely crew above descended on the unsuspecting folks of Lake Wales, Florida for the purpose of attending a children's choir festival sponsored by the Choristers Guild Central Florida Chapter. Our choir spent several months learning and memorizing songs for this festival and then sang them under the direction of Marjorie Smith from Tampa, Florida.

The day was not just about singing. Our children also partipated in craft projects, Orff classes, Drumming, and more. The final concert on Saturday included all of these, plus puppetry and dance.

Look for the Kingdom Choir to sing next at the Easter Vigil on April 11th at 7:00 p.m.

St. Mark's has a unique connection to Choristers Guild since our former Cantor, Jim Rindelaub, is the Executive Director of the organization.

Choristers Guild, a Christian organization, enables leaders to nurture the spiritual and musical growth of children and youth.

2009 Lutheridge Handbell Retreat

A group of handbell ringers from St. Mark's enjoyed the annual handbell retreat at Lutheridge the weekend of February 21st. This retreat involves several rehearsals under a well known clinician which culminate in a concert on Sunday morning. This year our group studied with accomplished composer and musician Sandra Eithun from Wisconsin.

One ringer, Leslie A., had this to say: It was a wonderful weekend that included fellowship with close friends, the opportunity to play beautiful music, and the challenge of developing skills in musical presentation to enhance worship. The clinician was wonderful. She really worked with us to convey the meaning of the music. AND we got to see a small amount of snow.

This retreat allows for precious little down time. As you can see, some of our ringers used that time to knit prayer shawls from St. Mark's prayer shawl ministry.

America's Finest Choir - Coming February 10th

Epiphanies often come when we least expect them. I certainly wasn't expecting one that winter night in February of my sophomore year of high school when I went to hear the St. Olaf Choir perform about 30 miles from my home in Viroqua, Wisconsin . . .but it was exactly an epiphany that I got.

I had been singing in the choir at school since sixth grade and enjoying every minute of it. I had heard several church choirs and, even in the Midwest where EVERYBODY sings, even the good ones simply represented a fun diversion. By this time, in my school choirs, I had sung a little Bach ("Now Let Every Tongue Adore Thee," and ""Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light"), but those experiences did not prepare me for the St. Olaf Choir.

That night, music became more than fun and something that decorated church services. Music became worship and I knew that music would forever have a new meaning for me.

Specifically, I remember hearing Britten's "Ode to St. Cecelia," Grieg's "God Son Has Made Me Free," and Christiansen's setting of "Beautiful Savior."

This amazing choir comes to Jacksonville every three years, so you don't want to miss this opportunity. The concert is on Tuesday, February 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Jacoby Symphony Hall. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

So, please come to the concert. I can't promise it will change your life, but it will enrich you.

Pianist Knut Erik Jensen from Norway on March 22nd

Click on the image to view this poster full size.

Concert: San Marco Chamber Music Society on January 25th

Click on the image to view this poster in a larger size.