As the 40th Anniversary Celebration moves into the month of December, the Choir will be taking the lead in the celebrations. The music of Christmas will be the focus of this month. In the bulletin inserts and the presentations during the service, you will learn some of the rich history of this music.
Take, for example, Christmas carols. They became respectable and acceptable for the most formal church services in 1871, when H. R. Bramley and John Stainer of Magdalen College, Oxford, published "Christmas Carols Old and New." In the mid-1800s, a reaction to the Industrial Age was a renewed interest in medieval arts. One aspect of this movement was the work of William Morris, a designer who practiced at this time and was also a student at Oxford. Morris took medieval designs and adapted them to Victorian materials, needs and tastes, giving us the famous William Morris wallpaper and textiles. Similarly, Bramley and Stainer took the traditional medieval songs of the carols, regularized the melodies, and adapted the harmonies and the text to the prevailing ecclesiastical traditions.
Pam McClelland
December 2, 2001
There should be good singing in church! Martin Luther stated "the fathers desired that music should always abide in the church. That is why there are so many songs and psalms. This precious gift has been bestowed on us alone to remind us that we are created to praise and magnify the Lord." John Calvin further recognized that "as for public prayers, there are two kinds: the one consists simply of speech, the other of song... And indeed, we know from experience that singing has great strength and power to move and to set our hearts on fire in order that we may call upon God and praise him with a more vehement and more ardent zeal."
Good singing forges good congregations. What's important about church music? It sets an atmosphere of worship. And singing text is different from reading it. The congregation can join in and the choir and organ add variety and color.
The congregational voice is in the heart of all church music. It can and should be beautiful, meaningful, musical, full of the spirit, responsive both to text and tune, and magnetic in drawing together all who hear.
Finally, an Eskimo creation story begins "In the beginning was the Sound." The premise is that sound is a marvelous gift of God and that when we sing together in common, whether in joy or desolation or every day hope, we affirm our common humanity and build our community through this shared craft. Good singing is not the result of a good congregation, but the forging of it. (Paraphrased from Melodious Accord, Alice Parker.)
Jeff Taylor
December 9, 2001
Music has been an important part of worship at Heritage from the very beginning. Charter members Zianna Gray, Kit Stearns, son Duncan and George Duman (first music director) played important roles in defining excellence in music as our new church became established.
An 11 member Senior Choir accompanied by Duncan Stearns (now a renowned concert pianist), provided music at all regular services and at Christmas Eve during the first year. A 15 member Junior Choir directed by Zianna Gray, assisted by Kit Stearns, provided music throughout 1963, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve services.
An organ was added in 1965, placed in the new church building and in the position WITH the congregation as carefully planned. 1965 also saw the addition of a Celtic Choir for grades 7-9 and all three choirs participated in the Christmas celebration that year.
Choir activities remained steady through 1969, when Yona Holroyd became the new director. Christmas music in 1971 included excerpts from the Messiah, and in 1972 a string quartet was noted to have provided some special music. While 1973 finds the choir small at times, its musical offerings were always an inspiration to the congregation. Some members of the Youth Group provided inspirational music during 1974.
In 1975 Mrs. Holroyd was succeeded by Juliette Huff, a highly educated and experienced musician. New choir robes were worn for the first time on Palm Sunday in 1976. Juliette led a superb choir program for the next three years. Guest musicians shared their talents and the Youth Group and Children's Choir performed from time to time. A new Carol Choir (ages 9-14) was established and directed by Julia (Judy) Huff.
Judy Huff provided excellent interim choir leadership until David Rider's arrival in November, 1980. The Carol Choir presented a special musical "One Hundred Percent Chance Of Rain." The choir looked forward to the purchase of a new piano in the near future. In 1982 the Carol Choir performed monthly as well as on Christmas Eve. Chancel Choir members performed at National Presbyterian Church in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the National Capital Union Presbytery. The choir later joined the Aldersgate choir and members of the National Symphony for a special performance of Mendelssohn's Hymn Of Praise.
More to follow in March 2002 as we again spotlight our musical heritage in conjunction with our 40th anniversary celebration.
December 16, 2001