Music Ministry

Chancel Bells Allison Northern, from left, Colleen Feese, Carol Voiles, Jeanette Embrey, Virginia Sicola, Mary Mullin and Bettye Porterfield participate in a handbell workshop in Farmers Branch.

Chancel Bells attend workshop

By Lynn Sherman

Special to The Chimes

The Chancel Bells had the opportunity to travel to Farmers Branch on March 28 and 29 to attend a handbell workshop under the direction of Hart Morris, currently serving as minister of music at Asbury United Methodist Church of Tulsa, Okla.

Hart is a well-known composer/arranger of handbell and choral music as well as a sought-after clinician for seminars and festivals.

The Greater Dallas Handbell Association’s Winter Festival was attended by 24 handbell choirs from around the Dallas Metroplex and beyond.

It’s always a challenge and hard work to attend these festivals, as well as great fun and fellowship to be a part of First Presbyterian’s music ministry “on the road.” This trip was no exception to the rule.

During this fun trip, we ran into one of our former music scholarship students, Sandy Folger.

Sandy was part of the Sanctuary Choir 20 years ago and asked us to pass on the reason she chose her career in church music was the result of her time spent as a scholarship student with First Presbyterian Church.

You never know when or how God intends to use us for his glory!

Front row: Raven Landers. Second row: Paul Frederiksen, Deziray Segovia, Blakely Boxwell, Ella Sanders, Ann Sanders, Brett Boxwell. Third row: Abbi Adams, Savannah Armstrong, Gracey Smith, Katelin Wood. Fourth row: Lia Schneider, Riley Harkins, Abby Price, Reagan Harkins, Shelby Morris, Sarah Forbes, Stephanie Walton. Back row: Joseph Patton.

FPC youth join others for a concert in Lubbock.

Young singers perform in Lubbock

Seventeen members of the Caroler’s Choir (grades 3, 4, & 5) attended the South Plains Chapter of Chorister’s Guild Choir Festival at First United Methodist Church in Lubbock on March 29.

The clinician was Dr. Earlene Rentz, a respected composer with more than 100 titles in print.

Norman, the group’s director, had emergency surgery during Holy Week and was unable to accompany the children to Lubbock so Paul Frederiksen went in his stead.

The children worked extremely hard to prepare six anthems and presented them in concert in the sanctuary at 3:45 p.m. Great music making, fun and fellowship were enjoyed by all.

We wish to thank Cori Harkins and Charee Godwin-Smith who drove their own vehicles to safely deliver the children both to and from Lubbock.

We extend a special thanks to Stephanie Walton who helps with the choir year round and served as the sponsor for the trip. Most of all, we thank the parents who allow us to work with your children every Wednesday evening. It is indeed a privilege.

Jubilate! members are, from left, Debbie Weeks, Jay Weeks, Paul Goad, Terry Holeman, and Cammie Taylor. Bass player Chuck Alexander is not pictured.

Jubilate! offers music
for God's glory alone

By Paul Frederiksen
Special to The Chimes

Johann Sebastian Bach often signed his manuscripts with the initials “SDG," which are for the Latin, soli deo gratia, translated for God's glory alone.

He used the immense talent God gave him to compose music for his Creator's glory and His glory alone. As strange as it may seem, soli deo gratia comes to mind when I consider our contemporary praise band, Jublilate!, which helps lead worship at our second service each week.

When I came on staff in 1990, we didn't have a praise band. We had very traditional worship at both services with pipe-organ-led hymns for the congregation to sing.

The senior pastor at that time asked me if we could do praise music in our worship services.

Having never heard the term “praise music" and after being shown a very poor representative video, I simply responded that to my knowledge we didn't have anyone with those gifts, but if God wants us to worship Him in this manner, He will provide them. And provide them He did!
While it's true that senior pastor selected the first contemporary music consultant with help from another local pastor, God was very much in it.
Steve Godsey was exactly who the church needed to launch this “new song" (Psalm 33:3) worship.

He was raised Presbyterian, had a love for the tradition of our church and came with a desire to minister to the congregation, those who attended Family Camp and the church's developing prison ministry, Kairos.

In a relatively short period of time, God brought in amazingly talented musicians. God must have called them because, they shared with me later, that they had never even considered bringing their instruments into God's house.

These were the same instruments that had been used to play secular music often where alcohol was served. It was a very real struggle for some of them. Again, He was at work!

And what's more is that the people God selected aren't just your average musicians. He selected some of the very best.

We have one person in our band who has played for President Bush not once, but twice, while he was governor of Texas.

We have another individual who was recently invited to play at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts for the Jim Wilson Valentines concert.

Mr. Wilson tried to hire him to be part of his group in Los Angeles because he is so talented. There are other members in the band who choose not to do the professional music scene, but they are just as talented.

Even the members of the band are amazed at the level of talent that God has assembled in their group.

Looking back over the years here at FPC, it's truly amazing to see what God has done to bring glory to His name and to help us fulfill Psalm 33:3, “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy" NIV.

SDG, for God's glory alone. I have not done it, but He most certainly has, and I don't think He's finished!

Allison Northern performs at the concert aboard the Bells of the Cascades IX Handbell Cruise of Bells.

FPC handbell members ring in the key of ‘sea'

Ten people attended the Bells of the Cascades IX Handbell Cruise of Bells of the Mexican Riviera from Jan. 6-13. They were Diane Baker; Donna Bishop; Pattilou Dawkins; Jeanette Embrey; Paul Frederiksen; Patsy Kiser; David and Mary Mullin; Allison Northern; and Jonnie Seliger.

It was a wonderful time with Allison, Jeanette, Mary and Paul ringing handbells in one of two massed choirs under the very capable direction of Jason Wells, the clinician and musical director for the event. Each of the two massed choirs learned and played three pieces for the closing concert. This was quite a feat considering that there were only four rehearsals for each choir and the music was very challenging! There were also various classes on the art of handbell ringing that were very educational and helpful.

Those who did not ring handbells had a great time playing bridge and going together on various excursions in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta and enjoying the many amenities offered by Holland America aboard ship. The food was five-star all the way as were the staff and the accommodations. The closing concert was remarkably well-attended. The massed ringing room was packed with both ringers and a large audience. The audience filled the hallway and even the rooms across to the opposite side of the ship. At most land-based handbell festivals, only a handful of people come to the concert. In this case, we had probably more in the audience than we did ringing bells.

The cruise was sponsored by the Bells of the Cascades Inc., a nonprofit community handbell choir under the direction of Nancy Hascall from the greater Portland area in Oregon. From its beginning in 1990, their mission has been to promote the art of handbell ringing through performance and education. BOC has dedicated itself to providing workshop opportunities for handbell ringers and directors.

Concerts are often connected with workshops, or given separately in locations throughout Oregon and Washington. In addition, every other year, BOC holds its workshops on cruise ships. For their 10th cruise, they are considering either Alaska or the Panama Canal in 2009.

Debbie Weeks takes over
praise-and-worship duties

Debbie Weeks will replace Steve Godsey as the leader of the praise-and-worship portion of the 11 a.m. service. Steve and his family are moving to Colorado, and Debbie has been filling in during the transition. FPC is also fortunate to have Debbie's husband, Jay, playing drums during the service. Jay is an accomplished musician, and the two are also in a group called A Show of Hands.

Where did you work before? CS Stars (formerly Corporate Systems), project manager for 10 years there.

Where did you go to high school and college? Hereford High School, West Texas A&M University — BBA Finance.

Tell us about your family: Husband Jay Weeks. We're very fortunate to have Jay playing the drums. He is an amazing musician. Son Joshua leaves for basic training in the Air Force this month. He's a mighty man of God, and we're very proud of him.

What is your home church? First Pres.

What do you do for fun? Play music, play racquetball, camp, snow ski, water ski, some session work in recording studios.

What is your favorite food, movie or book? I'm a chocoholic. I like books and movies that end well and leave me smiling.

I use this word or phrase too much: “I intended to ___________, but I didn't have time."

Anything else you would like to say to introduce yourself? Jay and I feel so blessed and honored to be involved in the music at FPC. We have been received with so much love. The Spirit in this church is really sweet.

Welcome

At First Presbyterian Church we worship God and celebrate His presence through music. If you are searching for a place to serve Him, we have opportunities for singers, ringers and instrumentalists. You are encouraged to join us in this exciting and rewarding ministry.

All groups with the exception of Jubilate! are out during June, July and August. Jubilate! continues to rehearse on Sunday mornings and helps lead worship at 11 a.m. The Sanctuary Choir has resumed rehearsals and they begin singing in worship on Sept. 9. All other choirs resume the week of Aug. 26.

The Celebration Singers meets on Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. immediately after Celebration Ringers to save parents trips to and from the church and is for youth in grades 6-8. They sing primarily two- and three-part anthems by classical as well as contemporary composers. The Celebration Singers usually appear at the 11 a.m. worship service about once per month. On the Monday after they sing in worship, they usually go for snacks and fun in the park. Their director is Paul Frederiksen.

The Celebration Ringers is for youth in grades 6-8 and meets on Mondays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. This hadnbell group begins to learn and use advanced ringing techniques and continues to learn the rudiments of music. It is a great way for young musicians to develop their musical skills which they can apply to any instrument. Their director is Paul Frederiksen.

Jubilate! helps to lead worship at the 11 a.m. service each week. They rehearse from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays in the Sanctuary. They share a lengthy time in prayer after rehearsal before the worship service begins. This group is jointly directed by Debbie Weeks and Paul Frederiksen. (Child care is available upon request.)

The Tower Chimes is the beginning chime group for grades K, 1 and 2. They meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. The children use Orff instruments and have access to a five octave set of Malmark Choirchimes, which they use to learn the basic ringing motions as well as various damping methods. They also begin studying the rudiments of music in this group. The Tower Chimes usually does not appear in worship. Their director is Paul Frederiksen.

The Joy Ringers meets concurrently with Tower Chimes from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays again in an effort to save parent's trips to and from the church. This group is for children in grades 3 through 6, and is the beginning handbell choir for children. They take the basic techniques they learned in Tower Chimes and apply them using handbells. Joy Ringers also continues to study the rudiments of music through flash cards, movement games, and musical toys and begins to have some exposure to advanced ringing techniques. Their director is Norman Goad.

The Sonshine Singers meets together with the Angelus Choir on Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in room 304. This group is for children ages 4 and 5. They learn how to use their voices as instruments to praise the Lord and do so occasionally in worship. They also learn the rudiments of music by playing music related games. Their director is Paul Frederiksen.

The Angelus Choir meets together with the Sonshine Singers on Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in room 304. This group is for children in grades 1 and 2. They learn how to use their voices as instruments to praise the Lord and do so occasionally in worship with the Sonshine Singers. They also learn the rudiments of music by playing music related games. Their director is Paul Frederiksen.

The Carolers Choir meets on Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in room 304. This group is for children in grades 3 – 6. They continue to develop their voices as instruments. They begin using hymns, anthems and other forms of printed music which promotes the learning of the rudiments of music. They also offer anthems of praise in worship as often as possible. Their director is Norman Goad.

The Chancel Bells is an advanced ringing group for senior high youth and adults. Challenging music is prepared that uses every advanced ringing technique. Even though the music is challenging, don't feel incapable of being a member of this group just because you have no experience. A position can be designed for you that will allow the time you need to learn to ring handbells and even to read music if you've never done so before. We can give you just one bell if that is all you can handle initially. This group rings about two pieces every other month. Sometimes it will be more frequent depending upon the difficulty level of the music. Chancel Bells meets right before Sanctuary Choir so that members who are in both groups don't have to make another trip to the church. The director is Paul Frederiksen. (Child care is available upon request.)

The Sanctuary Choir is the "work horse" of our Music Ministry department. This group sings in worship at both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services virtually every Sunday during the fall, winter and spring. They also offer special music during the year for Maundy Thursday, Easter, Advent, Christmas and at other occasions. They team up with members of the Amarillo Symphony to offer special choral/orchestral selections in worship as well.
The Sanctuary Choir appeared in Carnegie Hall in 1998 and sang in Vienna, Austria, in 2000 by invitation of the Viennese government. Their director is Paul Frederiksen. (Child care is available upon request.)