Sounds of LPC | Music Corner

Our LPC Music Ministry deserves an amazing "Thank You" for providing such wonderful ministry throughout the recent seasons of Advent and Christmas. Our Chancel Choir, in particular, devoted much time, effort, and energy into our recent Christmas Cantata--in addition to our regular LPC Sunday rehearsals and services. This is no small task to accomplish in an approximate 8-week timeframe. 



We were thrilled that the Cantata was augmented by 40+ singers, both from LPC and the surrounding community. We view music ministry--and all LPC ministries for that fact--as important vehicles of evangelization to demonstrate to our community the wonderful spirituality and community of Lakewood Presbyterian Church. 

Thanks, as well, to our Praise Band and Handbell Ringers for also augmenting our Christmas Services and for the important ministry they offer throughout the year. 

July 2023

I want to offer a HUGE "Thank You" to our Lakewood Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir as we break for the summer months of July and August. It's hard to believe that we have celebrated a full choir year together! On my own personal behalf, and on behalf of the LPC faith family we serve, I want to thank you for many things: for your effort, your time and your talents. Thank you for your interest in singing and for your dedication. Thank you for helping to build upon the excellent work of music directors and singers who have preceded us. And thank you for putting up with me during our first season together! Transitions in pastors or music directors can stretch us in unfamiliar ways, new styles and directions . . . but you have risen to the challenge beautifully.

You've been an amazing gift to our LPC congregation. I know that because they've told me so many times. Through your music you exercise a vital ministry to our LPC family--to bring Christ's message of healing, hope, love, joy, strength and peace. We've been given a wonderful gift, as well as an incredible responsibility to exercise those gifts--yes, for our own enjoyment and enrichment, but most importantly for the building of God's kingdom here in our little corner of the world. I wish you all a happy and safe summer, and all of us at LPC look forward to your return in September!

In Jesus,

Carl

June 2023

As we enter the summer months, I want to give a special SHOUTOUT to our LPC Handbell Choir, under the direction of Ruthann Strebler.



Ruthann has been a pleasure to work with: talented, creative, and just a wonderful person with low ego needs, who comes from a perspective of ministry and service, as do our ringers. She and our bell choir have so beautifully graced our services this year. Our bell choir will go on break during the summer months and will resume in September. Thank you all for your ministry! Our LPC Chancel Choir will continue through the month of June before breaking for the summer.

May 2023

Section Leader Test Pilot Program: We are now halfway through a four-week section leader test pilot program at LPC and we’ve received much positive feedback from current choir members, congregants, and former choir members/congregants who have been watching online. Folks commented on the fuller sound, the support for our wonderful choir volunteers, the professionalism (and even spirituality) of our section pilot program leaders, our ability to offer even more exciting music, and enhance our hymns with descants and additional harmonies. Section leaders, again, do not replace a choir, but offer foundational support (especially when choir members are ill or away for other reasons). Some of our sister churches (Riverside Presbyterian and Palms Presbyterian) have been doing this for decades. Our section leaders have also commented positively on the quality of our music and hymns, the organization and pace of our rehearsals, our beautiful church and worship service, as well as the musicianship of our LPC choir!

Grand Piano: We will be measuring the platform to ensure a grand piano will fit alongside the organ. A paper template has been ordered and received. Once the preschool risers are erected for the June graduation we will be able to make precise measurements. The hope is that we can ultimately find an instrument (either for low- or no-cost or find an interested donor) that suits the caliber of demanding anthem accompaniments, is able to fill a 450-seat church, handle classical and liturgical repertoire (Bach, Chopin, Mozart) that an upright piano, or electric piano are ill suited, and serve as a proper instrument to enhance visiting choirs and ensembles for concerts.

April 2023

Many thanks to so many of you who have been so positive about our music ministry here at Lakewood Presbyterian Church. You know we try to include so many different types of music styles (as long as they're good) in our worship services. Apparently, introducing a piece of Italian Opera ("Va, pensiero" based on Psalm 137) was a hit with quite a number of you. Thank you for your kind affirmations. I'm always surprised--and yet I shouldn't be--to hear how many of you appreciate and understand more classical repertoire, not only in our anthems but also in our preludes and postludes. So, what's new and exciting music-wise at LPC? Allow me to highlight three things:

EASTER SUNDAY: 

Easter Sunday is nearly upon us and we have an exciting music program planned. Our 10AM Easter Sunday Service will feature a brass quintet (2 trumpets, french horn, trombone, and tuba), along with timpani (kettle drums), percussion, and LPC's handbell choir. Easter Sunday is a perfect day to be like the disciple Andrew, who invited others to "Come and See" Jesus. We look forward to celebrating that special day with you, your families, your neighbors, and your friends!

SECTION LEADER "TEST PILOT":

As you know from a previous newsletter, we will "test drive" a four-Sunday music program that will be augmented by guest Section Leaders from some of our area college campuses. It's one way I hope to grow our music program even further. "Why do we need section leaders? We've never had them before?" - That's a legitimate question. So here are few thoughts about that:

·        Section leaders inspire confidence in volunteer choir members.

·        Section leaders help volunteer members stretch to perform even more challenging and exciting music.

·        Section leaders - for those who may not be aware - are actually "staff singers", one in each of the four vocal sections (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). They are expert music readers with great vocal range who provide the "anchor voice" in each of our vocal sections.

·        Section leaders do not replace a volunteer choir, but rather provide the vocal stability and leadership in the section to encourage volunteer members be more successful. How do they do that?

·        Section leaders keep the ship afloat in the midst of life's happenings.

·        Section leaders enable those with a basic sight reading ability to learn a part much more quickly.

·        When a choir is more successful, they're actually having more fun. And ultimately it is success (and fun) that attracts additional volunteer singers to join - let's face it, success breeds success.

·        Choral section leaders inspire young, talented area vocalists to consider a career in church music.

I hope this sheds some light on the importance and value of choral section leaders. And I hope to have your support on this in the near future. Our "section leader test pilot" will take place on the four Sundays of April 23rd, 30th, May 7th, and 14th. Section leaders are an INVESTMENT in our congregation. Sometimes it's easy to look at things simply and understandably as a "cost." In my experience an investment in developing your choir program always GROWS a congregation because people are attracted to quality. It also grows the choir. And, as a result, additional congregants increase our finances. Let's explore taking a risk to move forward in this next music history chapter at Lakewood Presbyterian Church.

POSTLUDE CLARIFICATION:

Sometimes I never know what's going to hit me in the back of the head at LPC. Very recently, some of you expressed dissatisfaction to me when Pastor Joy recently announced that congregants are free to depart during the postlude (the organ piece at the end of the service). Some shared they felt Pastor Joy's announcement demonstrated a lack of appreciation for music and a total disrespect for me. Allow me to clarify:

Pastor Joy's announcement was actually MY idea. It is my firm belief that when it comes to church music, "music should serve the worship experience" - not the other way around. As such, it was my suggestion - not Pastor Joy's - to offer the congregation the option of departing during the postlude, because to me, the postlude is "festive exit music".

We look forward to growing our music ministry here at LPC. We're looking forward to seeing you especially on Easter Sunday! Invite your friends and neighbors. Let's become vehicles of evangelization to share the Good News that is Jesus!

In Jesus,

Carl