Hymn of the Month: October

Update for Sunday, October 22: When I introduced October’s tune, VINEYARD HAVEN, I called it a “twofer” because there are two texts we will sing it to. In fact, we’re going to have a “threefer” with the tune! Recently I was given a copy of an article by Northmont’s former music director, Todd Alexander, which … Read more

MID- WEEK WORSHIP: SPECIAL ORGAN SERVICE

A service of the word set to music featuring special guest music leadership from Dr. Will Thomas Cleveland Dr. Will Thomas Cleveland currently serves as the Director of Music and Organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenwood, South Carolina. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ  Performance from The Fred Fox School … Read more

Choir Season 2023 Begins!

By Stephen Schall Two weeks ago, at the Barn Service, we had a lovely reminder of how beautiful and inspiring the Chancel Choir is. This week they and the Adult Handbell Choir return from their summer hiatus. We have an exciting musical year ahead. The bells will return to playing once a month. And, in … Read more

Introducing the “Hymn of the Month” Project

By: Stephen Schall Beginning in September, we institute a project called, The Hymn of the Month. In it, we’ll spend a month exploring, in depth, one hymn that is not well known to the congregation. The goal is to expand the congregation’s repertoire and to help us all reflect on the hymns we sing and … Read more

Singing the Passion

This Holy Week we will have the opportunity to hear two musical settings of the Passion: Matthew on Palm-Passion Sunday and John on Good Friday. The tradition of singing the Passion dates from at least the 4th century perhaps culminating in the great works of J.S. Bach. For a complete musical history go here. Sunday’s … Read more

February 19, 2023

By: Stephen Schall This week we mark the end of the season after the Epiphany with the celebration of the Transfiguration. Thus, we end the season as it began by pondering Christ as the manifestation of light. We sing of this event is in Sunday’s congregational hymns. In keeping with the theme of light, the … Read more

Clef Notes- January 22, 2023

By: Music Director, Stephen Schall Sunday we hear the story of Jesus calling the first disciples by the Sea of Galilee. The choir sings a lovely setting of the hymn, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind by English composer, Hubert Parry. Rob Frankenberry will play the slow movement from American composer Florence Price’s piano sonata … Read more

Clef Notes – January 15, 2023

Music Director, Stephen Schall [email protected] Thanks to everyone who made Sunday’s Lessons and Carols service: the choir, everyone who read, our guest organist, Jon Tyillian, Pastor Ben, and everyone who attended. It was a joyous, beautiful, and meaningful way to end Christmas.  This week we return to Green time. The readings tell of the various … Read more