music & fine arts ::

You Are Here » Home \ worship \ traditional \ music & fine arts
[View Printable Page]

[ Photo Galleries ]

Our music ministry provides marvelous opportunities for children, youth and adults in singing and ringing choirs. There are also opportunities for instrumentalists throughout the year.

♦ Children's Choirs
♦ Handbell Choirs
♦ Liturgical Dance
♦ Meet the Composer
♦ Orchestra
♦ Other Groups
♦ Sanctuary Choir
♦ Youth Choir

Call the Music Office at 281-488-5111, x115 or x118 for more information.

Announcements

Ninth Annual “Meet the Composer” Weekend at CLUMC – Marty Haugen ::

Ninth Annual “Meet the Composer” Weekend at CLUMC – Marty Haugen
Sunday, September 12 – 7pm, Sanctuary

Join us on Sunday evening, September 12 at 7pm in the Sanctuary for “Meet the Composer – A Festival Service of Music.” Marty Haugen is a liturgical composer, workshop presenter, performing artist and author from Eagan, Minnesota. Currently, Marty serves as composer-in-residence at Mayflower United Church of Christ in Minneapolis and serves as an adjunct instructor at United Theological Seminary in New Brighton. For the past 25 years, Marty has presented hundreds of workshops and concerts across North and Central America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim. He has over 35 recordings and more than 400 separate printed editions available through GIA Publications and other publishers.
Marty is somewhat of a “rock star” in the Roman Catholic Church! We’ll have a number of guests with us, brothers and sisters in Christ from St. Bernadette Catholic, St. Pius Catholic and other congregations in the Bay Area. Join us!

Basic Music Theory 101 For Adults - Last Session! ::

Basic Music Theory 101 For Adults - Last Session!

Have you ever had a desire to know just a little more about the language of music? What do all those numbers, notes, terms and marks on the page mean? We’ll get you started! This short course in music is designed for anyone in the congregation, whether you are a member of a choir or a person who sings from the pew on Sunday mornings. This is your chance to get a little more comfortable with that big blue book you open on Sundays! A sessions will be held in Elrod Room 311, 6:30-7:15pm on September 8.

Do You Sing in the Shower? ::

Do You Sing in the Shower?
By Sherry J. Bridges

     When I was growing up, I used to hear some of my school teachers talk about "choir practice" every Friday afternoon. All through junior high and high school, teachers couldn't wait to get to "choir practice" immediately after school. Then they'd come in on Monday mornings talking about how much fun they'd had at "choir practice" the last Friday. That "choir practice" really sounded like something I couldn't wait to become part of someday.
     How absolutely cool! It just had to be better than church youth choir or school choir since all those adults were willing to give up every single Friday afternoon to attend! Then I became a high school teacher, myself, and quickly figured out that "choir practice" meant something completely different than I'd grown up believing. Secondary teachers called their Friday afternoon soirees "choir practice," and elementary teachers called theirs "coffees," but once I figured out that singing had nothing to do with either - that both terms usually meant "Margaritas after work, same time, same place" - I had to laugh out loud at my naive self. Choir practice became choir rehearsal to me shortly thereafter when I asked the director of First United Methodist Church in Orange, Texas, if I might try to sing with their choir. I'd grown up listening to the choir, thinking how much I'd like to do that someday. I really had no idea if I were a soprano or alto - wasn't even too sure I wanted to find out - but he made it a point to make me feel like I was the cat's meow the first night I showed up for rehearsal. He had already "interviewed" me, so after assigning me a section buddy, (altos rule!), he introduced me to the rest of the choir as though we were the best of old friends. I was invited to join some of the members for dinner before Wednesday night rehearsals and immediately included in the Fine Arts program - we were producing "Fiddler on the Roof," and I thought it was the best thing in the world. I didn't want to leave that church ever because I felt that I belonged. I was included in a ministry that mattered.
     Before long, that director and his wife, our organist, were two of my closest friends and still are to this day - 10 years after moving to this area to finish my career as a teacher. I'd visited and even joined another Methodist church in this area, but was never made to feel like part of something. Then I visited CLUMC almost 2 years ago and BAM! The first thing I heard was Rhonda Hargrove singing a solo that brought tears to my eyes, and she had such a kind manner about her that I sought her out after that
service and asked her about choir. Once again, I was whooshed into a wonderful, accepting, loving group of people of all ages who seemed genuinely tickled to have me there. Rhonda unwittingly became my section buddy, bless her heart, and answered all my questions about rehearsals, routines, robes, music, etc. She's also been there to encourage me when I knew I was way out of my league. Everyone in this choir treated me as though I was a long, lost friend. Very quickly, I got to know Jeff Weiss, director extraordinaire and superb music teacher. Not only does he direct our sanctuary choir (and youth choir and orchestra) - he also teaches constantly, and with the patience of a saint, to those who might not consider themselves musicians in the least. When the people said, "Make a joyful noise," Jeff was listening! Some of our choir are older, and he speaks so clearly and loudly enough that all can learn. Some of our choir can't read music well, if at all, so he teaches them to sing. Some have a
lot and some have a little musical ability, yet he still teaches and encourages when we get confused about all those "little words and markings" on the sheets of music in front of us. I know a good teacher when I'm in the presence of one, and we are so blessed to have Jeff in front of us week after week.
     My point is this - once again, I'm blessed to be part of something so important as our music and fine arts ministry, and Jeff is the main reason. I would encourage anyone in the congregation to come to a
Wednesday night choir rehearsal at 7:30pm and just sit and listen and watch for a couple of weeks. We'll assign you a section buddy to answer all your questions. Then make up your mind. You'll be surprised how much fun we have learning the music you hear us sing on Sundays. If you've ever caught yourself singing while driving down the Interstate (and some of you do because I've seen you!) or humming while doing a chore or even sitting in the congregation thinking that you'd like to do what we're doing up in that loft (the best seat in the house, by the way, and we wear the most casual, comfortable clothes you can imagine underneath those robes!), then follow your heart and come and join this fun bunch of people in the choir. As you can tell from seeing us, age doesn't matter. We have a group that's aged 18 through I'll never tell! What you think you don't know, Jeff teaches. It's rare to be blessed with a director who is such a fine teacher, also, so consider us all in the same boat - that "joyfully noisy" boat called the Sanctuary Choir.
    …Don't be shy! Just call one of us to come and get you or simply walk into the choir room, located behind the choir loft, and feel the "happy" begin. You'll be glad you did! Remember - we all sing in the shower, too!

2010-2011 Music Ministry at CLUMC ::

2010-2011 Music Ministry at CLUMC
Some of our musical groups will begin their weekly rehearsals in just a few days! This is a great time for new members to become a part of a growing, vibrant music and fine arts ministry. God has given each of you unique passions, gifts and abilities for Christ’s Church. Prayerfully consider this ministry as one in which you can serve God fully, praise Him joyfully and make a meaningful contribution to the worship life of our congregation.

Choir/Ensemble                              Start Date        Time      Location
Elementary Choir (grades 3-5)                now          6:30pm     Flanders 420
Primary Choir (grades 1-2)                     now          6:30pm    Flanders 424
Kinder Choir (Kindergarten)                   now          6:30pm    Flanders 405
Pre-K Choir (age 4 by 9/1/10)                now          6:30pm    Flanders 429
Morning Bells (adults)                     September 8      9:30am     Bell Room

Music and Fine Arts Ministry Staffing Changes ::

Music and Fine Arts Ministry Staffing Changes

     Teresa Ludovice has decided to leave her part-time position as Administrative Assistant for Music and Fine Arts Ministry. She’s been in our office for 3 ½ years and has been extremely helpful and supportive in so many ways. Teresa has helped with our big events, concerts, programs, retreats, musicals and in many other areas as well. I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to her for her dedication to the Lord and His Church. She will be missed in a big way! However, Teresa will continue to be involved in the life of our church. I would encourage all of you to offer thanks to her for a job well done!
     Jeannine Cochran, who completed 10 years of service at CLUMC back in January, has assumed full-time status this week as my administrative assistant. I am grateful that Jeannine is able to do that at this very important time in our ministry!
     Please direct all of your communication regarding Music and Fine Arts Ministry to Jeannine, 281-488-5111, x115 or jeannine@clearlakemethodist.org or myself at ext. 116 or jeff@clearlakemethodist.org. - In Christ, Jeff Weiss, Director of Music and Fine Arts Ministry

The Organ at Clear Lake United Methodist Church ::

The Organ at Clear Lake United Methodist Church

    The three-manual, 52 rank organ at Clear Lake United Methodist Church was built in 1988 by the Moller organ company of Hagerstown, Maryland and installed by the Ballard Pipe Organ Company, which operated as the service representative for Moller at the time. It was featured at the American Guild of Organists National convention that was held in Houston of that year. It was the vision of Rev. Buddy Miller, former pastor of CLUMC [1976-1992], and many others that the church should have a grand pipe organ in its Sanctuary that would serve the needs of the congregation and community. Referring to the organ Rev. Miller stated, “Our congregation envisioned and dreamed. The dream lives on.”
    CLUMC is very proud to claim the largest pipe organ in the Bay Area as well as a vibrant music program. This congregation enjoys a healthy singing atmosphere and the organ serves as the major foundation to encourage vibrant participation in hymn singing and choral works.
    Over the years the combination action, which acts as a computer center, of the instrument has failed and many tonal issues have ensued which has resulted in much of organ unusable. In 2005 CLUMC contracted Dan Garland of Fort Worth, Texas to renovate the organ in 2009, but was later rescheduled for 2011 so that it would follow the completion of the Wesley Center. The anticipation of the renovation is being met with great enthusiasm. However, because of the delay, there have been increases in certain costs such as materials, labor and shipping. This has resulted in a balance of about $45,000.
    Therefore, we find ourselves with an opportunity to see the vision of excellence for the organ fully completed. “Pipes for CLUMC” is a suggestion of various levels of donation to honor, or in memory of someone, in order to see the completion of the organ renovation. At the end of the renovation all names will be framed for display. If any donor would like their name to remain anonymous, that will certainly be honored. One may also consider more than one donation at any level at any time. It is with grateful thanks and gratitude in advance for your consideration to ensure that the Sanctuary organ of Clear Lake United Methodist will remain as one of the church’s greatest assets and accomplishments for the next century.

“Pipes for CLUMC”
$10 Flute; $25 String; $50 Principal; $75 Reed; $100 Swell; $250 Choir; $251-500 Great; $501-999 Crescendo; $1000+ Sforzando

home · calendar · search · site map · contact us