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We have had a marvelous time making music and joyful noises unto the Lord in UPC’s music ministries this spring!
Our vocal choir’s repertoire has ranged from the Renaissance (Orlando Gibbons’ Almighty and Everlasting God) to African American spirituals (Jesus Walked That Lonesome Valley) to traditional Irish-inspired music (Old Irish Blessing). We are so fortunate to have a wide range of musical interests to share with the congregation.
On Transfiguration Sunday (March 2nd) we were fortunate enough to have the House of Worship’s “Angels of Praise” dance team perform for us during the service. They danced to the song Stand Up from the movie Harriet, and their performance was moving and inspirational.
Our section leaders also blessed us with beautiful music these past few months. Robbie Manners and Starletta Noll-Long sang My Love Colors Outside the Lines as a beautiful duet, Phil Westcott and Aimée Backus performed an Irish Reel (Providence Reel) on Saint Patrick’s Day, and Austin Shadduck performed Daiwagaku (“Great Peace”).
On Palm Sunday, bell choir performed With Joyful Hearts, and the vocal choir sang The Entry into Jerusalem. During the Palm Parade while the congregation marched around the sanctuary, Nate Raboy and Ernest Backus joined Becky Mebert in providing the accompaniment to “We Are Marching in the Light of God”, the tune of which is Siyahamba, a traditional Zulu folk song. Starletta Noll-Long sang Were You There a cappella from the balcony in a beautiful and impactful performance. On Maundy Thursday, Lana Ogden, Margaret Davis, and Becky Mebert provided all of the music for the meditative service; the mood their music created allowed us all to contemplate more fully the night that Christ was betrayed.
On Easter Sunday, the vocal choir opened the service by singing Alleluia, Christ is Risen, and the bell choir played My Joyous Praise during the offertory. Sara Lieberman’s and Nate Raboy’s brass talents enhanced all of the hymns and helped us all raise our voices together.
Aoife Backus performed The King’s March on piano during the first Sunday of Easter, and on Good Shepherd Sunday, we celebrated all of the sheep songs with I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb, Shepherd Psalm, Ballet of the Shepherds, and a performance of the 23rd Psalm in Irish.
Both the vocal and bell choirs are preparing for our summer recess; however, our music doesn’t stop over the summer! If you are interested in lending your talents to UPC’s music ministry while our large ensembles are on break, please contact Aimée Backus at music@upcbgm.org. We would be grateful to have you participate!
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