As we round out another year, I extend my sincere appreciation to all who contributed to the Edwards Church music program this year, including our regular choristers, as well as guest holiday musicians, those who participated in and attended our organ rededication concert (and those contributors who made the restorative work possible!). I’m grateful to […]
Commissioned Minister of Music
I've been proud to serve Edwards Church as its choir director since 2009, and have been a member since the following year. In 2017, I completed a multi-year process toward becoming a United Church of Christ Commissioned Minister.
On a weekly basis, I rehearse our choir, lead worship, and try to make life a bit easier for our talented accompanists, Susan Minor and Cheryl Elkins. I work closely with Pastor Debbie, passionate about worship that moves us and stays with us as we move into the world each week.
For me, music and scripture in inseparably linked. All the Bible verses that I know by heart are through their connection to an anthem or oratorio. I was told, at least partially tongue-in-cheek, that a church musician, in some ways, knows more scripture by heart that many pastors and theologians. Science shows that texts are more “sticky” when accompanied by music, and through repetition. My choristers frequently tell me on Thursday that Sunday’s anthem has been a weeklong earworm.
We all bring different interpretations to the scripture verses that we’ve learned over the years. And those personal interpretations can change wildly over the years, as we progress and make changes in our own development. The constant in all this is the verse itself. When we listen to choral albums and concerts, or make those glorious statements in rehearsal and worship every week, we choral enthusiasts are reaffirming our belief in those sacred texts. And if we find ourselves humming those melodies as we make our way through life, it may just be because it is the texts, and not the melodies, that God has planted for us to hear as the real soundtrack of our day.
My 2017 annual report is available, and you will find current posts I've written at the bottom of this page.
Holy Week Music
The period leading up to and through Easter is such an enjoyable time to be a church musician. This year we will have brand new anthems on both Palm Sunday and Easter. The weeks following include several of our favorites. I will offer solo unaccompanied pieces to complement the powerful readings at our Maundy Thursday […]
Lenten Music
As we begin to observe Lent with our focus on relationships across the generations, the choir will do its part with our anthems in March. We’ll first hear an adaptation of the song we all learned as children, “Yes, My Jesus Loves Me” and complement that two weeks later with the immensely popular “You Raise […]
In Different Hands
Sharp ears may be thrown on February 24 when the choir sings the hymn tune “Nettleton” for the second week in a row. We often sing service music on a repeat basis, even for a full season, but to my recollection we’ve never repeated an anthem tune in such proximity. The two settings use different […]
Advent Thanks!
Special thanks go out to all the musicians that helped bring so much joy to our chancel during Advent. For our first anthem of 2019 we will join forces with the choir at Plymouth Church on Epiphany. As we start the new calendar year, and approach Lent, Holy Week, and Pentecost, you might consider joining […]
Music for Advent
As Thanksgiving passes us by, church musicians around the country get that giddy feeling that can only mean one thing. We’ll soon be singing our favorite Advent and Christmas music in our sanctuaries. This year we will welcome Advent with a special setting of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” which sharp ears will recognize from […]
Fall Concert Wrap-Up
Update– Edwards Church of Framingham hosted an amazing concert last Saturday night called, “The Spirit’s Tether!” We celebrated the restoration of our historic 150 year old Tracker Organ with a diversity of musical gifts. We are so blessed to have our organist Cheryl Elkins and our pianist Susan Minor. They are both accomplished musicians and […]
With Good Courage
Ive taken a lot of time lately to think about music and its powerful abilities to inspire courage, but first I think it’s important to look at that word, “courage”. What does it really mean? The first image I think of is the Cowardly Lion, known first and foremost for what? His lack of courage? […]
Come Celebrate Music with Us!
Saturday, November 3, 6:00pm The Music Committee met in September and has determined many elements to share with you about our concert on November 3 at 6:00 p.m. Please start to spread the word outside of Edwards Church! This is being organized to celebrate the musical gifts here in observance of the recent restoration of […]
Save the Date: Fall Concert on November 3!
The Music Committee met in September and has determined many elements to share with you about our Concert on November 3 at 6:00 p.m. Please start to spread the word outside of Edwards Church! This is being organized to celebrate the musical gifts here in observance of the recent restoration of our beloved pipe organ, […]