Music Notes
As I practice and play for church with several musicians this summer as we provide music live in the sanctuary, it is a visible joy and reviving of spirits as music is created together, without the exacting “click-tape” and metronome keeping us together virtually.
Choir directors Aimee Backus (choral) and Austin Shadduck (handbells and chimes) will be directing these groups in person, practicing in our sanctuary for Sunday in person worship. At least, that is the goal. Careful attention will be paid to individual concerns of health and safety. We welcome new participants who love music and ARE VACCINATED.
We join the larger music community in this and other areas who are also cautiously beginning reentry, safely and seeking the joy of creating music together and not in isolation!
We hope you will “tune in” in person or on YouTube to hear “a joyful noise”!!
—Rebecca Mebert, Music Coordinator
This summer, in addition to the pre-recorded videos we’ve become accustomed to over the last 18 months, we were delighted to welcome live in-person musicians on several Sundays this summer, including Andy Chadwick (organ); Margaret Davis, Andrew Beaty, and Emma Schenemann (strings), and Star Noll-Long, David Berti, Katie Micalizzi, Sharon Landon, Aeden Hickey, and Victoria Barics (vocalists), along with accompanist Rebecca Mebert. All of our musicians are fully vaccinated, the front platform is at least 20 feet away from the nearest pews, and air scrubbers are operating throughout the worship service to reduce risk of exposure to COVID.
Choir Rehearsals: In-person in the sanctuary
Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30pm UPC vocal choir, 7:30–8:30pm United Ringers handbell choir
Our choirs have resumed in-person rehearsals in the sanctuary. (Hooray! Zoom rehearsals were better than nothing, but certainly not as satisfying or helpful as being able to hear one another singing together.)
The time for vocal choir rehearsal has moved up to begin warm-ups promptly at 6:30pm, to allow for handbell choir rehearsal immediately afterward. Everyone must present their COVID vaccination cards, which will be scanned and kept on file. All participants will be masked, and we will use 12-foot spacing between singers and 6-foot spacing between ringers. Newcomers (fully vaccinated) are welcome as always!
Aimee Backus, choir director at UPC, is currently working on her master’s degree in music performance at Binghamton University. Aimee recently performed the first of two requisite degree recitals, accompanied by pianist Pej Reitz. Aimee and Pej also presented this program to the community at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Owego.
You can view/listen to clips from the recital:
Le Merle Noir - Oliver Messiaen - https://youtu.be/xKJuibPTrHc
Sonata in A Minor (I. Poco Adagio) - CPE Bach Sonata - https://youtu.be/LpjSLZIfCt8
Serenade for Flute & Piano - Howard Hanson - https://youtu.be/owt0t-73VME
