Organ Concert at St. Mark's on Sunday, January 15th, at 7:00 PM: Peter DeWitt

When St. Mark’s refurbished its organ nearly three years ago, the tonal palette was

Dr. Peter DeWitt

designed to enhance congregational singing.  A happy result of the upgrade was that our organ is also better suited as a solo instrument.  We first heard some of its exciting features in a hymn festival played by Aaron David Miller.

Thanks to a generous gift from Ruth Copeland, we will have our second opportunity to hear our organ played as a solo instrument.  Dr. Peter DeWitt will play a solo concert on Sunday, January 15^th, at 7:00 p.m.  The concert will feature music by J. S. Bach, Norwegian composer Knut Nystedt, and Spanish composers whose music was prominent during the founding of the city of St. Augustine.

Peter DeWitt recently retired after 37 years as professor of music and theory at Shorter College in Rome, GA where he also served as the college organist. During that time he performed more than 100 times both as soloist and collaborator as organist, harpsichordist, pianist, singer and actor throughout the Southeast. He also performed in Germany, France, Scandinavia, Russia, England and Spain. In 2000, he presented the complete Clavierubungs of Bach in a series of five concerts. He is a past president of the South Eastern Historical Keyboard Society, past treasurer of the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, and an active member of the Jacksonville chapter of the American Guild of Organists.  He is the chair of the Jacksonville AGO’s upcoming regional convention in July of 2017.  He is especially proud of the numerous awards won by his students in organ and composition.

Our Zimmer-Colby Organ

Ten Things I Love About My Job at St. Mark's

Last Sunday was my ten-year anniversary at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. I came into the office on November 20^th, 2006 and played my first service on Christ the King Sunday.  This year Christ the King was on November 20^th so my calendar and liturgical anniversaries were on the same day!

In honor of these ten years, here are “Ten Things I Love about My Job at St. Mark’s.  A word of caution: this is not a “top ten” list and the items are not being listed in any particular order. So here is my list, with just a few words about each one.

One thing not mentioned in any of the ten items is how grateful I am for all of the people who have become a part of my life during this time.  Pastor Bob Hale, our Interim Pastor, is fond of saying the important thing about being part of a church community is building relationships.  He’s right.

So, here is my list:

NUMBER ONE: Evangelical Lutheran Worship

We dedicated the new hymnal on Epiphany Sunday and I have to say that I love it.  I appreciate the variety of Holy Communion settings and I love that the introduction acknowledges ELW as “a core rather than a comprehensive resource.”  This hymnal is one of the best ones on the market.

 

We dedicated ELW in January 2007 with this "sculpture." People came from the pews to get a hymnal and take it back to their seats.  It was easy enough at 8:30, but we had difficulty recreating it at 11:00! Photo by Bill Daugherty.

NUMBER TWO: WEDNESDAY NIGHT REHEARSALS

Sunday mornings are great, but they couldn’t happen without the hard work of singers and handbell ringers in the middle of the week.  I am by myself for a good part of the week doing the work of practicing, planning, and preparing, so I look forward to Wednesday night when I am actually surrounded by people!

A choir practice selfie from earlier this year.

NUMBER THREE: THE NAVE

We worship in a beautiful space that has incredible acoustics for singing and instrumental music.  Groups that perform here enjoy performing in our space. One orchestra director pulled me close to whisper excitedly, “This room makes them sound better than they are!”  We are blessed that the San Marco Chamber Music Society calls our nave “home.”

NUMBER FOUR: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Many know that I was baptized and confirmed Lutheran (American Lutheran Church). I moved here with my family in 1980 and we started attending church at NAS Jacksonville – where I also had my first two church music jobs.  I never had the opportunity to work for a Lutheran church until I came to St. Mark’s twenty-six years later!  That means I missed LBW (it had just started catching on the in the Wisconsin country churches) and the merger that created the ELCA.  I am proud of the work our denomination does and its perseverance in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am also happy to have returned to my roots.

The ELCA is known as the church of "God's Work. Our Hands." We observe GWOH Sunday each year with a Sunday of community service.

NUMBER FIVE: THE ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN CHURCH MUSICIANS

Every denomination has its association for musicians and I have been a member of many of them.  The ALCM has the best publications, the best networking, and it’s full of people who are willing (and anxious) to share their knowledge freely. Learn more about the ALCM at www.alcm.org.

NUMBER SIX: THE ORGAN UPGRADE

I am having such a great time with this upgraded instrument.  The original two manual Zimmer organ is still there, but the additions by Colby have vastly expanded the color palette of the instrument.  One of the best things was having Aaron David Miller dedicate the organ during a hymn festival. Read more about the upgrade in this older article from my blog: http://smljax.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-expanded-organ-for-st-marks.html

Aaron David Miller prepares for the festival.

These kids sang every hymn!

NUMBER SEVEN: FUNERALS

I was telling my sister about an upcoming funeral and she thought that might be a part of the job I wouldn’t like so much. The truth is I find great meaning in every funeral service.  Having been in this community for ten years, I have played services for people that I not only know, but I genuinely love.  It is a great honor to help the church commend its loved ones to God as they become part of the church triumphant.  Funerals are sad, I know, but the music and texts are so profound that I can’t deny the impact they have on forming my faith.  I hope the same is true for others.  My desires for my own funeral are laid out in my blog.  You can read that post here:

 http://smljax.blogspot.com/2015/04/its-my-funeral.html

NUMBER EIGHT: BACH VESPERS

When I was first told I would be expected to carry on the Bach Vespers tradition at St. Mark’s, I will admit that I was nervous.  Having never conducted an orchestra (except under very controlled circumstances in college), and not having many (okay ANY) major works under my belt, I knew I was in for a new experience.  I have to say that I find it extremely rewarding to present J. S. Bach’s music in the context of a Lutheran Vespers service.  I also have to acknowledge the vision of my predecessor, Jim Rindelaub. Without Jim, Bach Vespers might never have come to be.  This tradition involves members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and many singers from the community.  It is worth preserving.

Bach Vespers 2016

NUMBER NINE: WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENTS

We have a harpsichord that was built by our own members under the direction of Brian Stout (another one of my predecessors), a gorgeous Yamaha grand piano, shiny handbells from the Whitechapel Foundry in England, and a Zimmer/Colby 36-rank pipe/digital organ that people who should know say is perfect example of a hybrid instrument.  If the nave were a playground and our instruments were see-saws and monkey bars, we wouldn’t be able to keep the kids away.  These instruments lend their support as we sing the church’s song.

Our handbell choir on retreat.

NUMBER TEN: CONTINUING EDUCATION

About four years ago I started working on a Master of Arts in Church Music degree through Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH.  This has been a time consuming and costly endeavor, but I have enjoyed great support from the folks at St. Mark’s.  The program at Trinity is such a perfect fit and I am learning much from it.

Some of my friends from Trinity on campus last summer.

There is a quote, attributed to Confucius that keeps showing up in my social media newsfeeds: 

Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

Every time I see it, I think, “Yes, I’m already doing that.”

Thank you, St. Mark’s, for a rewarding ten years.

Bach Vespers 2016: Calling All Singers!

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church continues its twenty-six year tradition of presenting cantatas by J. S. Bach in the context of the Lutheran Vespers (Evening Prayer) service with inspiring hymns and reverent liturgy.

J. S. Bach from Wikipedia

Singers from the community are invited to participate in this unique worship service with professional instrumentalists and trained soloists.

Johannes Sebastian Bach is widely acknowledged as one of the geniuses of western music and honored with the title of “the fifth evangelist” by Lutherans.  He wrote a cantata for nearly every Sunday on the church year and is known for dedicating his compositions “soli Deo gloria” – Glory to God alone.  His sacred cantatas present the gospel of Jesus Christ with grace and beauty.

"John in the Wilderness" Caravaggio  c. 1604 from Wikipedia

“Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam” was written to commemorate the birth of John the Baptist.

There is no audition for singers, but the ability to read music, along with experience singing in a choir, is important.

To secure your spot, contact Tony Cruz by email at vespers@comcast.net with your name, contact information, and voice part (soprano, alto, tenor, or bass).

The rehearsal schedule follows: 

Bach Vespers Choir and Orchestra 2015 Photo by Nicki Llinas

October 8, Saturday

10:00 – 12:00

October 15, Saturday

10:00 – 12:00

October 22, Saturday

10:00 – 12:00

October 29, Saturday

(Dress Rehearsal with orchestra)

10:00 – 12:00

October 30, SUNDAY

Service at 7:00 p.m.

The first three rehearsals are in the music suite at St. Mark’s. The dress rehearsal is in the nave.

One More Story from Columbus: Doing Art for the Church Together

Lecia Beck only recently claimed the title of artist.

She was an “A” student in all of her high school studies – except Art and Music.  She always loved doodling, but the high grade in Art was elusive so she lost interest.  The interest was rekindled a few years ago when a friend introduced her to the art from known as “zentangling.”

The art form has become so popular that it is even trademarked – see www.zentangle.com where it is described as "an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.”

Lecia is also a candidate for the Master of Divinity degree at Trinity Lutheran Seminary where she is receiving the education that will prepare her for ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

As in her call to being an artist, her call to ordained ministry wasn’t something she discerned from the beginning. Here is the story in her own words:

 I usually point to my time in college, being involved in Christian ministries on campus, but I have actually found journal entries from high school about it!  I started college studying engineering.  I love the classes, but through working in outdoor ministry, I discerned that my call was not to be an engineer.  I took a year off of college to join Captive Free - East Lakes as the sound tech on team.  After that time, I went to Malone College in Canton, OH for a degree in outdoor leadership.  While I had felt called to ordained ministry, I have a lot in common with Jonah.  I tried to bargain with God that I would pursue full-time outdoor ministry instead.  While that did not pan out, I spent the six years before starting seminary working for the YMCA in Columbus.  I worked with many low-income families, providing afterschool childcare and enrichment and becoming an advocate for them.  Through all of that, I still felt the nagging that God was calling me to ordained ministry.  I loved my work at the Y, but it was not complete because I could not share my faith.  Finally, at a retreat weekend, I spent time praying about this call and knew that the time was right.  From the point of leaving the retreat, I began seminary five weeks later.  It has been a wild ride of learning to trust God even more and forget my need to be in control.

Lecia’s two callings recently came together when she and classmate Scott Nellis conceived of a community art project.  They drew the outline of a dove that covered three canvases and specified rainbow colors as the background.  People from the community were invited to tear pieces of magazines and glue them to the canvas – DURING WORSHIP!  During the singing, preaching, or any other time, anybody who wanted to went to the in-church art studio to work with paper and glue to create the project together.  The project was left in the worship space during the week so people could stop in at will to meditate and create.

 

The community art project was finished just before Pentecost and soon after Trinity Lutheran Seminary became a Reconciling in Christ Seminary - hence a descending dove against a rainbow colored background.

Scott’s daughter, Lydia, was seven years old on the day that her younger sister was baptized and Scott was grateful that Lydia could have something to do, especially during the preaching!  Together, Lecia and Lydia included a piece of the bulletin with her sister’s name on the triptych.  Lydia was happy to see it again just a short time later when her father graduated.

Lecia was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The next step in her journey finds her 300 miles away from Pittsburgh in Loveland, Ohio at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church where she will complete her internship under Pastor Jonathan Eilert.  She will graduate from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in May, 2017 before entering the ELCA’s first call assignment process.

Lecia Beck and an unknown friend.

What lessons has she learned from her journey as an artist?

“I struggled to be interested in art because I tend to be a perfectionist.  It has been a great journey for me to try to let go of that and decide what is good enough.  Inspiring community art was also a great exercise in having a vision and letting go of it.  I marveled at some of the "liberal interpretations" of colors!  While many people say that everyone can be an artist, I didn't believe them...and yet, I have learned it is true!”

Links:
Lecia Beck's Blog: http://soumonsa.blogspot.com/
Reconciling in Christ: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/about/
Trinity Lutheran Seminary: http://www.tlsohio.edu/

Another Columbus Adventure: Probably a One-Time Chance

During my second week at seminary, an email began to circulate from Pastor Shelley Nelson-Bridger seeking a musician to play for a “contemporary-ish” service on a Sunday morning.  I had already made plans to attend an Episcopal church with a very fine organist, but it sounded like the regular keyboardist was out of town, and someone who had promised to substitute had backed out.  I was sympathetic (it had just happened to me) and agreed to play – as long as I didn’t have to put in a lot of preparation time. (My work load was already pretty heavy and practice instruments aren’t always easy to come by at Trinity.)

Pastor Shelley promised a ride and lunch (in addition to a stipend), so I offered to help.  As the week went on, I found myself looking forward to it!  This would probably be my only chance to ever visit this church and town.

Sunday morning we left at 7:30 – our destination was 70 miles outside of Columbus.  We were headed for Galilee Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Russells Point, Ohio where Pastor Shelley serves as the Interim Pastor.

The service consisted mostly of standard praise choruses from the 70s and 80s, along with the traditional Lutheran liturgy.  Galilee Lutheran, named because of the proximity of Indian Lake, is a homey little church built in 1975.  A captain’s wheel and painting of a lake behind the altar enhances the identity of this lakeside congregation.

Pastor Shelley Nelson-Bridger

The singing was ably led by Pastor Shelley and Michael while the assembly happily joined along. After the service, I found the congregation to be friendly and welcoming.  If you are ever in the area, I encourage you to visit this congregation.  “Contemporary-ish” worship is offered on the first and third Sundays of the month and traditional worship is offered on the second, fourth, and fifth Sunday of the month. Their website is http://galileeatindianlake.com/.

After church, we drove around Indian lake.  Years ago, there were several small lakes and streams in the area. In the late 1800s, a project was undertaken which included the building of a dam and connecting the small lakes to form a single lake that fills more than 6,000 acres.  There are inlets and islands at every turn.  For a few moments, I thought I was in a seashore town like Brunswick, Georgia.  (I would love to know how many millions of dollars in annual boat sales are made in the small Ohio town.  It must be quite a business.)

The worshiping community at Galilee Lutheran Church

Lunch was at the Tilton Hilton, a charming lakeside (dockside service provided!) restaurant which, over the years, has developed floors that slant so much the tables actually have legs on one side that are longer than the other side.  It felt like a fish camp on the way to Amelia Island, very casual, with a menu of great sandwiches and appetizers.  (I enjoyed my grilled chicken wrap and we shared an order of fried onion petals.)

The Tilton Hilton - from their Facebook Page

This was probably a one-time chance to meet Lutherans in this part of the country and I am so glad that I was able to go!  Thank you, Pastor Shelley, for inviting me and for a delicious lunch! It was a pleasant and unexpected break from my studies.

Stepping Outside of the Fold and Feeling Pretty Much At Home

Even when I am out of town on vacation, I like to go to church.  I usually choose a Lutheran (ELCA) or Episcopal Church because I look forward to the Sunday Eucharist.

Today I chose differently.

James Freeman, our organ technician at St. Mark’s suggested I go to First Congregational Church to hear this baby, built by Rudolf von Beckerath from Hamburg, Germany in 1972:

The church actually has two organs.  In the chancel they have an organ built by W.W. Kimball (Chicago) in 1931.  Ample information about the organs is available at http://www.first-church.org/TheOrgans.aspx.

First Congregation, an open and affirming congregation, has one of those grand church structures that inspires awe on the inside and out.  Over the doors in the front of the church are the words “Enter to worship. Depart to serve.”

The church viewed from East Broad Street

The worship service felt very liturgical!  As we gathered and prepared for worship, Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in A (BWV 536) floated down from the balcony. The language of the liturgy felt very similar to what I am used to hearing. For example, this prayer at the beginning of the service:

Keep, O Holy One, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love; that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness and administer your church with justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

There was no psalm, but the epistle and gospel readings both matched the readings in the Revised Common Lectionary – so we heard the story of the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus, washed them with her tears, and dried them with her hair.

During the sermon, the Rev. Timothy C. Ahrens asked us to hear Jesus’ question, “Do you see this woman?”  He said that most theologians and preachers like to talk about her history as a prostitute, but encouraged us to see her as a disciple whose actions prefigured the crucifixion.  He encouraged the assembly with these words: May Jesus’ words guide your looking and seeing the women in your life.

Inside the narthex

The hymns were “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” “As We Walk through Life with Jesus,” (written by Pastor Ahrens and dedicated to his parents for their 65^th wedding anniversary), and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”  Additional music at the offering and postlude was from a concerto by Marcello with organ and saxophone.  The saxophone was ably played by Grace Gelpi, a student at Michigan State University.  It suited the solemnity of worship and felt like a special grace for the morning.

The Pastor is Rev. Dr. Timothy C. Ahrens and the Music Director is Kevin Jones, M.M.  I did not get to meet him, but admired his playing of the voluntaries and the hymns.  If you are in the Columbus area, I would recommend visiting this church. First Congregational Church is at 444 East Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio.

A beautiful banner and with a stand that is also a work of art

Did I miss having the Lord’s Supper?  Sure.  But when you are attending a Lutheran seminary where there is worship every day, the Eucharist is never far away.

The altar

The Next Time You Pray. . .

It has been nearly ten years since I came to St. Mark’s.  Periodically, I like to consult my job description to make sure I am doing the basic things that are supposed to help me lead the church’s song in this place.  As I read, I am reminded how fortunate I am to have a job that I truly love and enjoy.

Did you know that the people of St. Mark’s have an important task that is part of my job description?  Under the heading of “Congregation/Staff Support” are the following words:

We will pray continually for God’s gift of strength, courage, and creativity.

Your prayers in these three areas are truly appreciated, but I would like for you to add one more item – resources.

I’m not talking about money - although we need that to order new music and to maintain the organ, piano, harpsichord, and handbells.  I’m talking about people to be active in our music programs.

You may have noticed we don’t currently have a children’s choir program.  My dream is that someday we will have a fully graded choral program with choirs for early elementary, upper elementary, junior high, and senior high ensembles. Music is a perfect means to nurture our children and youth on their spiritual journeys to becoming mature Christians.  One of my dreams is that the junior and senior high choirs would embark on summer tours in alternate years – presenting programs much like The Experience (Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC) has provided for us in recent years.

St. Mark's children's choir members and their parents at a Chorister's Guild festival.

Children from St. Mark's Ark.  These Orff instrument could be a useful tool in a new children's choir.

We need more singers in the Festival Choir. The total number of singers has remained pretty constant over the years, but work commitments, family needs, and personal situations arise that affect our ability to confidently support the congregation’s singing (job number one!) and to provide musical offerings that are well-prepared, substantial, and artistic.

The Festival Choir warms up on a Sunday morning.

Eric Olson's oboe adds beauty to our worship. Photo: Nicki Llinas

It isn’t just about singers.  For two years we have struggled to maintain an entry-level handbell choir.

What is the purpose of a church music program?  Is it just to add beauty to worship?  Is it merely an opportunity for those who enjoy music to have fun?  Is it something to attract visitors to our faith community?

Church music may indeed accomplish all of these things, but our primary aim is to use God’s gift of music in the liturgy to glorify God and to edify those who gather as God’s people.  We strive to maintain music’s role as the living voice of the gospel, to assist the community in its faith formation, and to celebrate the beauty of holiness. (See the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Statement on Worship and Music at www.alcm.org.)

The gifts of all musicians are welcome at St. Mark’s.  I invite you to take part.

So, the next time you pray, I encourage you to continue those prayers for strength, courage, creativity, and resources – not just for me, but for all musicians of St. Mark’s as we proclaim the gospel.

Our Bach Vespers Choir proclaims the gospel. Photo: Nicki Llinas

Your comments are welcome!

Five Reasons I Joined A Community Chorus

For many years community choirs have been performing at St. Mark’s and each time the enthusiasm of the singers made me wish I could join the fun.

So, I recently joined the fun and cast my lot with the Orange Park Chorale under the direction of Dr. Timothy Snyder.  There were lots of reasons I joined, but in this article I will just share five.

1. To make music

It happened instantly.  Most people in community choirs read music proficiently and the folks in the OPC have a very high level of musical skills (as do singers in most community choirs).  Within our ranks there are high school choral conductors, piano teachers, music teachers in the elementary grades, church music directors – as well as every other profession you can think of.  From the simplest hymn to high church polyphony, the music gets off the page pretty quickly to become a polished, artistic performance.

2. To get a free masterclass in choral conducting

When Dr. Tim Snyder isn’t conducting the OPC, he moonlights as the Director of Choral Activities at Jacksonville University.  It’s no mistake that I chose OPC because of his excellent reputation and the fact that JU is my alma mater.  He has reminded me of many things I already knew (but that I had allowed to fall out of practice), given me some new ways to express concepts, and reminded me to pay attention to the art of music as much as I do to its mechanics.

3. To meet new people

Why are they called community choirs?  It’s not just because singers come FROM a community, but they gather to form a new community that is dedicated to a very high goal.  I have casually known some of the singers in this group for many years, but it has been a privilege to strengthen musical ties and to meet new singers.

4. To learn new music

The concert we are preparing has music from seven languages, including French.

I think I have sung French twice in my life – once in college (Claude Le Jeune’s “Revecy Venir du Printemps”) and Gabriel Faure’s “Cantique de Jean Racine” at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.  BUT, I was privileged to sit next to an alto with a gorgeous voice when we started working on Morten Lauridsen’s “Dirait-on.”  Without even knowing it, she taught me everything I needed to know.

We are also singing music in Spanish, Hebrew, Church Slavonic, and English. 

5. To know the joy of singing

The irony of my job as a cantor, leading the church’s song, is that I don’t get to sing very often myself.  Choral singing has been an important part of my life since the sixth grade – about forty years.  I enjoy conducting and teaching music and have long used the excuse that I don’t have the time to sing in a community group like the Orange Park Chorale.  Fortunately, I have made the time, at least for a little while, to experience the sense of well-being and pure joy that comes from singing in a choir.

See what this joy looks like in the OPC's two upcoming concerts:
Friday, March 11th at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park

Sunday, March 13th, at 3:00 p.m. at Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville

If you’ve thought about making more time for music in your life, there are lots of options for singers in the Jacksonville area.  Each choir has its own culture, audition process, literature focus, and dues structure.  With a little research you can find the group that is right for you.

River City Men’s Chorus

Wayne Bailey, Conductor

http://rivercitymenschorusjax.com/

North Florida Women’s Chorale

Kerry Fradley, Conductor

http://www.womenschorale.org

Jacksonville Masterworks Chorale

Mark Stallings, Conductor

http://www.jaxmasterworks.org/

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Donald McCullough, Conductor

https://www.facebook.com/jaxsymphony/

The Don Thompson Chorale

Michael Dell, Conductor

http://www.donthompsonchorale.org/#/home

Orange Park Chorale

Timothy Snyder, Conductor

http://orangeparkchorale.com/

Church choirs are always looking for more singers – including mine! Send me an email if you’re interested.

There are many others that you will find with a simple internet google search.  If you’ve been thinking about making room for a little music in your life, stop thinking and start acting.  I’m glad I did.

Photos from top to bottom:

The Jacksonville Masterworks Chorale did a madrigal concert in 2010 - from their website,

Dr. Timothy Snyder

Members of the OPC hard at work - probably trying to negotiate Church Slavonic.

The River City Men's Chorus just before singing at a Jags game in Jacksonville - from Facebook.