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Youth Group, Youth Missions and Activities

Building and Ground Information and Updates




Sunday Worship:

Contemporary Service: 8:45 a.m.
Christian Education for all ages: 
9:45 a.m.
Traditional Service: 11:00 a.m.

Summer Schedule:  No Christian Ed June-August

 


 

First Presbyterian Willoughby Music Mission


"Come, Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing,
Tune My Heart to Sing Thy Grace..."

This line from the beloved hymn text by Robert Robinson is a fitting theme for those involved in the music ministry at 1st Presbyterian Church Willoughby.

Our Philosophy for music in the church...

Music used for the purpose of worship within the church has some unique attributes when compared to music in the classroom or concert hall. Music for worship in the church is functional. One includes a specific piece of music based not only on its musical merit, but also because it communicates a particular element in the dialogue of worship between God and humankind (e.g. praise, thanksgiving, confession, proclamation, testimony, commitment).

Music for worship in the church should also be our best offering. The psalmist indicates that we should "play skillfully" before the LORD (Psalm 33:3). One tries to encourage worship leaders to give their best offering not only because God is deserving of our best, but also because a lesser gift can distract from the focus on and worship of God.

Finally, music for worship in the church should be a sacrificial offering. Giving our best in worship requires as much (or more) emphasis on the preparation as in the presentation. One tries to encourage the kind of presentation "that costs us something." (2 Samuel 24:24)

Our Invitation to You

We are blessed at 1st Presbyterian Church Willoughby with musical talent of all ages. We have vocal choirs, handbell choirs, and instrumentals. Please contact me if we can assist you in your participation in the music ministry at 1st Presbyterian Church Willoughby. Whatever your gift, we have a place for you!

Sincerely,
Ginny, Music Director


Adult Choir Handbell Choir
Special Music Programs Youth Music
Our Organ
Choral Notes

 

Choral Notes - June 2008

Following the Rules

During rehearsals, someone will occasionally ask why we’re doing a piece in a certain manner.  They’ll may find it too simple and in need of more “pizzazz”, or not understand why we’re adding the same “pizzazz” if it’s not printed.  Back in my early days of conducting, I remember studying a work by Schubert.  I analyzed the score then listened to a recording by Robert Shaw.  His choir was doing things that were not printed in the music.  The lines seemed to ebb and swell with life.  The piece took on a third dimension.  Naively, I asked my instructor why.  He answered, there’s more to performing music than what’s on paper.  Through study, you have to try to understand where the composer was going.  A performing musician has to do more than be able to execute the notes or “follow the rules”.   

At the other extreme, some years back, the Blossom Chorus was rehearsing Brahms’ Requiem.  In contrast to Schubert, this score was overflowing with expression: crescendos over crescendos, accents, dynamic contrasts, changes in tempo, etc., etc.  We sang out, getting louder and softer, slower and faster, following the printed music.  However, Betsy Burleigh, the director, stopped our euphoria midstream.  We needed to be sensitized or the audience would wind up with a case of “Brahms seasickness.”  Again, we were doing what was in the score, just “following the rules”. 

Following the rules just doesn’t work where feelings and sensitivities are involved.  You can type a composition into a program called FINALE and it’ll play back the correct notes, but I doubt if you’ll listen to it very often.  On the other hand, Beethoven could write incredible music without ever hearing it, not only because he knew the rules of composition.  His innate sensitivities told him what to do with them. 

We can live our lives by the rules and never get into trouble.  So can a robot.  Jesus gave us a golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  That’s pretty ambiguous.  There aren’t a lot of clauses and codicils.  Like Schubert’s music, though, you have to think about what’s not printed, to understand how it applies in each individual case.  It’s a lot more difficult but it’s what makes us ever so much different from a FINALE program.

The choir season is pretty well wrapped up until September.  Many thanks to the singers, adult and junior, who went to so much trouble to provide us with wonderful choral music throughout the church year. A special thanks to Tracy, Rachel, and Shelly who got up with the chickens to add so much spice to the early service.  As my way of showing my appreciation to those involved, I’d like to invite all who volunteered in the music program to my house on the beach for a party. Children’s Choir will be Saturday, May 31, 3-6 p.m. when we’ll bake Communion bread.  All adults are invited on Friday, June 6 in the evening.

We’ve had a great response to the Summer Music schedule so our worship won’t be lacking in musical leadership over the next few months. On June 15th, Jim Savage has been kind enough to sub on the organ bench while I’m visiting my daughter in California . He and Bonnie have been working on some father-daughter pieces including an original composition. 

On Saturday, July 5, if you plan to attend Carmena Burana at Blossom, be sure to check out the direct middle of the chorus where you’ll probably find me.

And, of course, if you enjoy music, you may give some thought to joining the choir this fall, encouraging your son/daughter to join the children’s choir, or giving us a hand with the percussion in early worship (it’s really not very difficult!)  Right now the choirs are meeting upstairs, but I hope to have us moved downstairs in our own room by fall so those who may have difficulties with the stairs are not prevented from participating. The strength of our worship music is determined solely by the dedication of our members!  It’s up to you; don’t leave it to the others.

Happy Summer!

Ginny 

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ADULT CHOIR

The Adult Choir provides weekly leadership in worship and is open to adults who have an interest and love of choral singing. Our repertoire includes a wide variety of musical styles: from all the major musical time periods, spirituals, hymn arrangements, and newly composed anthems. They also lead in Christmas Eve worship, Good Friday worship, Easter, and periodically present major works with along with special music instrumentals.


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HANDBELL CHOIR

The bell choir is a fun group of people who enjoy praising God through music.  Rehearsals are once a week - Sundays from 7-8:30 pm.  The bells usually perform in church once a month.  We are always open to new people - those who have rung before and those who have never picked up a bell in their life!  

If you are between the ages of 14 and 114 and would like to give us a try, please contact Mrs. Shanti Blatnik at the church office (440-946-0070), or just show up at one of our rehearsals.

Thank you to the bell choir for making this a great year.  Your time and effort that you give towards each performance has given the congregation another way to praise God through a wonderful listening experience.   Thanks goes to Nancy, Lois, Diane, Melinda, Harriet, and Denise for being my "core" group of ringers that I have been able to count on this year.  A VERY SPECIAL WELCOME goes to Shelley, Kimberly and Diane  - you are helping to extend the possibilities.  Have a great summer and I will see you in the fall.   

Shanti

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SPECIAL MUSIC

Blow the dust off your saxophones! Buy some new reeds for your clarinet! Warm up your flutes! Play a little piano? Enjoy ringing the chimes? 1st Presbyterian Church Willoughby welcomes anyone with any talent playing musical instruments to participate in weekly worship services, and special services throughout the year. 


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YOUTH MUSIC

The mission of the music program for children is to develop:

  1. The God-given talents of all children

  2. The use of talents in the service of God

  3. The understanding of a creative God through personal creative expression

  4. The skills of music fundamentals and ensemble techniques

  5. Tradition through learning of scripture, sacrament, doctrine and history

  6. Teamwork, fellowship and positive relationships (peer-to-peer, inter-generational)

  7. The engagement of the community through outreach programs.

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OUR ORGAN

Our Wicks Pipe Organ was initially installed in 1979. In 2000, the congregation spent over six months of work refurbishing and upgrading this unique organ. The new electronic control system, including over 1200 pipe connections, is the same system used in the Cleveland Severance Hall organ. The sound from 34 ranks, 60 to 80 pipes per rank, produces an outstanding musical experience.

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We share in the mission and ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the Metro Cleveland region, the state of Ohio, the United States, and throughout the world.  

 

We have been a part of the Willoughby community since 1833 and are a member church of the Presbytery of the Western Reserve, Synod of Covenant, and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).   

 

 
 

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