Mark your calendars! The students will be singing "Lord, I Thank You" during our service on November 10th. This upbeat song beautifully expresses our gratitude for all the Lord has done. We can’t wait to share their hard work with the congregation!
Music Updates
Her FPC choir journey began with her 12-year-old son, Ralph, sitting with his parents, three to four rows from the back. In typical tween style, Ralph was embarrassed and explained to his mother, Barb, that she sang so loud that everyone was looking at them. She, of course, wasn’t singing that loud but as with all teenagers, everything is a BIG DEAL. Barb decided to go where people wanted you to sing: the FPC Chancel Choir.
Her choral training began in her church’s Children’s Choir, her 3rd grade year. It was a small church and all the children were friends. She sang at Girl Scout camp, and then at Denison, where she qualified for the Concert Choir.
Joanne Woodyard was her longtime neighbor in the choir and she then sang next to DeeEllen Gorrell who was formidable in her musicianship and lovely voice. She has a discerning ear and Barb has a great sense of rhythm, together they were a force in the soprano section. Their skill set blended to create a deep friendship. Barb also tells of Janie Drake (yes, our beloved Janie Drake) and Priscilla laughing and enjoying each other’s company for years while singing together.
Barb’s membership in the Chancel choir has cultivated wonderful friendships that have lasted for many years and remain to this day. Singing together always creates a bond; one we treasure all our lives.
Thank you, Barb!
Philip
Many thanks go out to all the choristers and bell ringers who made our opening to the year so wonderful. From the chancel choir's glorious anthem in worship to the stunning benediction at the end of our morning brunch, it was all beautifully prepared. Thank you!
Also a big shout out to the bell ringers who gave so much of their time above and beyond to make the tricky and fun Blessed Assurance bell quartet so much fun to see and hear!
Then on top of all that, all these wonderful folks prepared an amazing brunch filled with every delicious brunch food one can imagine.
Thank you so much!
Philip
Continuing our bass Chorister of the month, Trump Bradley, who we left at Princeton University where he sang with the college group, the Nassoons in 1955. When he left college after his first marriage proposal to Carol, Trump made his way to California in the late 50s and “bounced around” the state. He came back and married the love of his life Carol Bradley ,also an NYC native, in 1959. Her mother had sat behind Trump’s mother in church. There was a choral lull until Carol and Trump walked through the doors of FPC and met the chancel choir; it was love at first sight. Trump was a faithful chorister 50 years, taking his spot in the back row and singing everything from spirituals to new works to old chestnuts. His deep bass voice rounded out the choir’s sound until a nagging cough ended his career in 2015 after singing the Dubois, Seven Last Words. As a choir widow, Carol, on Thursday night would spend Thursday evenings cleaning up after dinner and getting kids into bed by the time Trump came back from rehearsal. Thank you, Trump for all your years of song! We continue to miss having you with us!
Philip
JuBellee Handbells will begin on Wednesday, August 28 at 4 pm.
Spots are still available
Festivo Bells will resume on Wednesday, August 28 at 7 pm.
Chancel Choir will begin rehearsing on Thursday, August 29 at 7 pm.
Hope to see you there!
We have so many wonderful musical activities and learning experiences planned. The children won't just be singing - they'll become well-rounded musicians through fun, engaging lessons, and activities. We can't wait to see the students develop their musical skills and talents in this vibrant, nurturing environment.
I hope the students will be buzzing with excitement for the return of our children's music program. It's going to be an amazing semester filled with the joyful sounds of young musicians discovering their love of music. We encourage all eligible students to join us on Wednesdays - it's an opportunity they won't want to miss!
Our ringers were: Kathy Tatham and Fred Abrams, Danny Hussey, the Crum twins, Eric Henry, Jenni Whitford, Tasha Boyer, Tim Gilbert, Linda and Steve Scott, and the Yang family! Many thanks to everyone! I forgot to get pictures until we were finishing up our time, so the only pictures I have are of Baschi giving it his all- as he too rang the bell giving his Dad a break. Enjoy your moment of Poodle Zen.
Someone asked: “How come your voice is so low?” Trump embraced his dark rich bass quality early in life. He kept singing bass with threats from his conductors to make him sing in the soprano range which almost all children sing before puberty. Trump persisted in the bass range and boy did he sing. While at boarding school in Connecticut, Trump joined the Secondary School chorus under the direction of Moshe Paranov and with the Hartt Symphony sang and recorded dozens of choral works during his time as a student in middle and high school. Works he sang include Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, The Last Words of David by Randall Thompson, Bach’s stirring cantata, Christ Lay in Death’s Bonds, and there is a wonderful recording of Trump singing with the chorus in Haydn’s Creation Mass all before he turned 18. He made his way to Princeton where he met the young lady who would become his wife; Carol.
Stay tuned next month as we talk about where Trump Bradley landed next: marriage, kids, and the First Presbyterian Chancel Choir.
This uplifting video follows the choir performing Craig Courtney's stunning setting of "O Word of God" in Granville, New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and crescendoing during Sunday worship at the magnificent and historic U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland. Enjoy!
The bike riders have said how much it has meant to hear the bells pealing as they pull into Granville.
Baschi and I will see you Saturday morning, August 3!
Philip Everingham
We will be rehearsing the morning anthem. Please, come and sing with us as we put together Moses Hogan’s lovely “ Lord, I Want to be a Christian.” We will not wear robes, we will lead the singing for worship at 10 AM.
Hope to see you at 9:15 AM in the music room!
Philip.
Dear Congregation,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the many prayers, cards, meals and all the love and support you've sent my way since this pacemaker happened on June 6. It wasn't something I ever thought would be a part of my life, but indeed it is! I can tell you I have much more energy and am feeling "fit as a fiddle." I have an unknown journey ahead of me as I come back from this but overall, I am feeling amazing and am back to work.moving forward!
Again, my sincerest most heartfelt thanks to all of you!
Philip
If you're a fan of carpentry or just got a new saw you're dying to try out, FPC has lumber for you to build and experiment with. In the music room where the Chancel Choir rehearses, there are extra pieces of lumber (2 x 4, plywood boards and more). Please come and help yourself!
The Angel Choir is back from our 2,000-mile Summer Singing Tour! We had a fabulous time: the singing was glorious, the mood was ebullient, and the camaraderie between the people for whom we sang — as well as within the group — was incredible. Perhaps the weather at the beach could have been better (people in Maine joke that if it’s 64 degrees and the lighthouse can barely be seen because of the fog, it’s a perfect beach day!), but we enjoyed every minute of it. Many wished we could have had one more day together, but we are now happy to be home with our memories of this special time. Included are a brief video of them singing on the seaside rocks of Cape Neddick in York Beach, Maine, and some photos that capture the fun and friendship that can result from singing in a group such as ours. I am delighted and honored to be their Fearless Leader.
Joy