Music from St. Mark's Lutheran in Jacksonville

Write a Prayer for Advent

2011-11-15T08:25:00.000-08:00

Our Wednesday evening Vespers service will continue through Advent with some modifications to the service music. For the Hymn of Light we’ll sing a hymn Christians have been singing since the ninth century – “Creator of the Stars of Night.” You can find it in Evangelical Lutheran Worship at hymn no. 245. We’ll switch to an Advent Psalm based on the tune we know as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Finally, the Magnificat (Mary’s Song) will be sung to Deo Gracias which is often sung to the text “Oh Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High.”

We are asking for your help in composing the prayer section of the service. You are invited to write prayers for the assembly in this time of hope and waiting. We are looking for fully written prayers rather than a list of prayer requests. You might wish to use the prayers from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pages 72 – 83) as a guide. Before the service begins we will announce the names of those who have written prayers. If you wish for your prayer to remain anonymous, just let us know.

For more help on writing prayers, I found this excellent article on the internet:
http://www.examiner.com/protestant-in-richmond/liturgical-writing-101-the-collect-prayer-form.

You may submit your prayers to Tony Cruz at vespers@comcast.net. Hard copies will also be accepted!

Singers for Advent and Christmas are Welcome

2011-11-15T08:22:00.000-08:00

Have you thought about singing in the choir but decided the commitment is too long? Then make a seasonal commitment! We would love to have any singers who would like to join the Festival Choir for the Advent/Christmas Season. We meet in the music suite on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 and will begin music for Advent and Christmas on Wednesday, November 30th.

The Festival Choir sings at the 11:00 service each Sunday. We will also be singing a service of Advent Lessons & Carols at All Saints Episcopal Church on December 11th. The only other major event is Christmas Eve. A thirty minute service of music by the choir and bell choir starts our 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve worship service.

You might also like to sing in the Matins Choir. This group meets each Sunday in the music suite at 8:00 a.m. to prepare liturgical music and a musical offering for the 8:30 service.

All singers are welcome!

Bach Vespers Thank You

2011-11-15T08:19:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all who participated in our Bach Vespers service featuring cantata no. 180, “Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele,” as the musical offering. There were 28 singers (including the soloists) and 10 instrumentalists, all using their gifts to glorify God through music. Thank you to each of them for their hard work.

Thank you to Jane D. for leading a soprano/alto sectional rehearsal. Thank you to Ellen O. for hiring the orchestra. Thank you to Frank S. for guiding us through the German diction – something he’s been doing for about 20 years. Thank you to Pastor Hanson for his reverent presiding. Thank you to each person who came to participate in this worship service.

Started by St. Mark’s former Cantor, Jim Rindelaub, this tradition is more than 20 years old at St. Mark’s. It is a rare chance to hear the music of Lutheranism’s fifth evangelist, Johann Sebastian Bach, in its intended setting in worship. We could not continue this tradition without generous financial support. Thank you to each person who has contributed to keep this important expression of our faith alive. We are especially grateful for a gift of $5,000.00 from the Ardell N. Smith Family Trust. Please remember, you may give a gift to Bach Vespers any time during the year. Simply designate “Bach Vespers” in the memo line on your check.

Plans are in the works for our next Bach Vespers service, so please watch The Messenger and The Lion’s Roar for information.

Pictures of the Contemporary Worship Setting at St. Mark's

2011-11-08T07:52:00.001-08:00

Bach Vespers at St. Mark's

2011-10-17T18:28:00.000-07:00

What historic person was "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, and able to write a 20-minute cantata for choir, soloists and orchestra every week (sometimes more than one per week) for over five years?”

Okay, okay, I may have gotten my super heroes mixed up, but I’m really speaking of Johann Sebastian Bach, the Lutheran composer that Thomas Schmidt calls “a superhuman musician.” Dr. Schmidt is the Cantor/Director of Music at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New York and explains that Bach took operatic-styled texts based on the gospel lesson of the day, and created music “mixing the highest intellectual art with uncommon sensitivity to the human condition.” It was intellectual because Bach was a master of compositional counterpoint.

In musical terms, counterpoint is a style of composing that uses two or more voices that have their own rhythmic and harmonic structure. The result is polyphony, a musical structure different from what we hear in most hymns where all voices (usually four) move in the same rhythm to create harmony. How much of this does one need to understand to enjoy the music of Bach?

According to Valerie Hess, Coordinator of Music Ministries for Trinity Lutheran Church of Boulder, Colorado, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the music of Bach because “the hidden intricacies and ‘symbolisms’ allow for people of all intellectual capabilities to find meaning in it. There is a level at which everyone can enter the music, from the simple beauty of the sound to the depths of the mathematical equations and number symbols hidden deep within, and everything in between.”

Bach, often called The Fifth Evangelist by Lutherans, died in 1750 but his music is still played earnestly and reverently today – not just in Lutheran churches, but throughout Christendom.

Why should we devote so much attention to music from a bygone era? Mark Mummert is the Music Director of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. He says that worshipers today are tempted to judge music based on personal taste and its ability to manipulate our emotions. Bach takes us deeper than that because “his music functions primarily as proclamation inside a marvelous aesthetic. . .(it) will teach us to not just judge music with the question ‘was it pretty?’ but also with ‘what did it mean?’ or ‘what did it say?’”
A twenty year tradition of Bach Vespers at St. Mark’s brings us to another cantata of Bach in the context of a Lutheran service of evening prayer. Members of our own Festival Choir, singers from the community, and an orchestra of instrumentalists from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra will present cantata no. 180, Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, which finds its musical genesis in the hymn Soul, Adorn Yourself With Gladness (hymn no. 488 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.)
This will be such a unique worship experience that you will want to share it with your family and friends. Join us in the nave on Sunday, November 6th at 6:00 p.m.
Without your support, this endeavor of music and worship would not be able to continue. Please consider a generous gift!

Vespers in Commemoration of September 11, 2001 on 9/11 at 6:00 PM

2011-09-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

All liturgical churches observe some form of Evening Prayer (vespers), a practice that has existed since at least the middle ages. Glowing candles, chanted psalms and appointed readings mark this time of reflection at the close of the day. This is an appropriate time to remember all of those who perished in the terrorist attacks on our country ten years ago. With them, we remember the first responders,our leaders, our people serving in the military, and those whose lives have been forever altered - and we offer our prayers for peace.

There will be hymns, prayers, silence, and music by the Festival Choir.

All are welcome. Please join us.

Bach Vespers on November 6, 2011 at 6 PM

2011-09-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) is widely regarded as one of the most important composers of church music and certainly the most important composer of Lutheran church music. St. Mark's tradition of Bach Vespers - the singing of a Bach cantata as the musical offering within a Lutheran service of evening prayer - is twenty years old. This year we continue the tradition by singing cantata no. 180, Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Deck yourself, my soul, with gladness)written for the 20th Sunday after Trinity.

Singers from the community are heartily invited to sing for this service which will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra comprised of members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Rehearsals will be held on Saturday mornings from 10 - 12. The dates of the rehearsals are October 15, 22, 29, and November 5th (dress rehearsal). We would be happy and honored to have you sing with us. There is no charge to sing, but we do need to know you are coming to be sure we have enough scores! Please contact Tony Cruz (vespers@comcast.net) for more information.

Hiring an orchestra, purchasing scores, and other costs require us to ask for monetary donations to present this important music and continue the tradition. Your contributions are welcome!

Photo Credit: Bill Daugherty from Bach Vespers 2007 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme

Interview with a Choir Member: Carl Moser

2011-07-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

Carl Moser moved to Florida from Texas in 1979 when he came to do an internship at the Regency House, a retirement community. It was there that he met Bill Daugherty who drove the St. Mark’s van to Regency House to pick up Mrs. Krueger and Mrs. Schicker. Bill discovered that Carl was a Lutheran and invited him to attend worship at St. Mark’s. Carl accepted the offer and began singing in the choir almost immediately! When I asked Carl if I could interview him for a Messenger article, he consented immediately.

Why do you sing in the choir?I love to sing in a group and do beautiful anthems that lead a worship service.

Do you have a favorite choir memory?I enjoyed the choir retreats that we used to have. They were led by Jim Rindelaub and were held at the Marywood Retreat Center – a great way to start the church year after a summer break. Morning worship on the dock (over the St. John’s River) was very special.

How are you involved at St. Mark’s besides singing in the choir and ringing handbells?I have served on Council as well as on the Nourish and Celebrate teams. I’ve also served on a Call Committee. I’ve also been active with Family Promise and have taught Sunday school and confirmation classes.

What would you say to someone who was considering joining the choir?We’re a fun group. If you have a love of music, this is a great place to learn more and lead worship for the congregation.

Thank you, Carl, for your dedication to St. Mark’s and its music ministry!

Ascension Day Celebrated Outdoors! June 2, 2011

2011-06-02T19:17:00.001-07:00

Summer Music Fun: Dinner and A Show!

2011-05-27T11:34:00.001-07:00

Our singing and handbell choirs don’t usually rehearse during the summer months.

This summer is going to be different!

We will work on POP music, tunes from Broadway and cinema, and who knows what else!?! We would love to have any guest singers so please invite your friends. (If you are reading this on my blog, then invite yourself - but contact me first so I'll have enought music!)

Our Wednesday night rehearsal schedule will look like this:

5:30 - 6:30 bell rehearsal in the nave
6:30 - 7:00 Bring Your Own Dinner! I hope that ringers will stay late and singers will come early for some fellowship and chit chat. Bring a brown bag or stop at a drive-thru on your way to church.
7:00 - 8:30 choir rehearsal in the music suite

We will rehearse on the following evenings:
June 8, June 15, June 22,June 29, July 6, July 13

Our concert, Dinner And A Show, will be on Wednesday evening, July 20th, at 7:30. Please invite friends and family for fun and fellowship. Details are still being worked out about the dinner. It may be catered, it may be potluck; whatever the fare, it will certainly be fun!

Prayers of Intercession for Easter 5

2011-05-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Prayers of Intercession used in worship on Easter 5(May 22nd) were written by our confirmation class. Thanks to Jordan, A.J., Evan, Rebuen, and Luke.

Send your Holy Spirit, O God, so that all troubled or fighting countries may come to an agreement and have everlasting peace and justice. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Send your Holy Spirit, O God, to your church here at St. Mark's and around the world so that all our brothers and sisters may come together in love. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Send your Holy Spirit, O God, so that all families and those who live alone can worship you. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Send your Holy Spirit, O God, so that the sick and lonely will be comforted and strengthened spiritually and physically, especially (names inserted). Help them see your everlasting light in their time of need. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Photo of St. Mark's by Bill Daugherty

June 19th at 7:30 PM: The Bells of Christ Church from Savannah, Georgia

2011-05-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

The Bells of Christ Church is an auditioned handbell choir of teens and college-aged youth from Christ Church (Anglican) in Savannah, Georgia. This year, St. Mark’s will be the first stop on their tour. The group has performed in Washington D.C., Colonial Williamsburg, and at the International Music Festival, Spoleto, in Charleston. Their concert includes a history of handbells and testimonies from the ringers. This is an event you will not want to miss!

The group performs under the direction of Mark Williams, Minister of Music at Christ Church, established in 1733, in Savannah, GA.

An offering will be taken and all are welcome!

June 5th at 6:00 P.M. Organist Jeremy Thompson in Concert at St. Mark's

2011-05-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

Dr. Thompson is the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in Goldsboro, NC and will be performing a concert on our 1984 Zimmer organ. Born in Dipper Harbor, New Brunswick, Canada, Dr. Thompson began his organ studies in Montreal. He holds a Doctorate of Music in piano performance, but has recently begun to concentrate on organ performance.

We don’t have many opportunities to hear our organ used in a setting other than Sunday morning worship, so this will be a special treat. The concert is free, and a free will offering will be taken.

May 29th: Church Music Celebration!

2011-05-17T19:02:00.001-07:00

The time of our annual Church Music Celebration is approaching once again. This year’s event will be on May 29th at 5:00 p.m. in the nave. Each of our musical ensembles will perform a few of their favorite selections from the past year.

Come hear the Festival Choir, Kingdom Choir, St. Mark’s Ringers, Alleluia Ringers, and Eric and Ellen Olson of the San Marco Chamber Music Society. If you have friends who sing and ring in other churches, this is a perfect event for them. (Those of us who are church musicians rarely get a chance to hear the choirs of other churches because it’s hard to visit other churches on Sunday morning without being missed at “home.”)

A reception will follow.

The Faith of Israel: Jane Daugherty

2011-04-07T04:00:00.001-07:00

Jane Daugherty is an Associate in Ministry who prepared the following meditation for our most recent Lenten Devotions service. Who knew playing the organ could be a lesson in faith?

My left foot was on A flat. I knew it. I couldn’t see my feet. My eyes were glued to the music and my hands were busy playing the passage leading up to the pedal entrance. But I knew that my left foot was on A flat. And at that moment I realized that playing the pedals on the organ is something like faith:
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Now I am not always so confident about my feet being in the right place. In fact, sometimes I am very unsure, and this uncertainty about where my feet are sometimes causes my hands to go astray.

This is not magic that helps me find the right pedal. Practice helps develop the muscle memory and the feel of the pedalboard—so that my accuracy improves.

Faith, however, is not a skill to be honed. We cannot manufacture it on our own. Faith is a gift from God given to us in Baptism. If we were lucky, our parents or other significant people in our lives saw to it that our faith was nourished—perhaps in Sunday School, worship, choir, VBS, with table and bedtime prayers, or in sharing their own faith stories with us as we got older. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we grew in faith and grace.
As adults we cannot control or create faith. With openness to the work of the Holy Spirit, we can nurture the gift of faith through prayer, Word and Sacrament, and in fellowship with one another.

The Jewish author of the book of Hebrews makes a case for faith with the Jewish Christians. Probably written around 60-70AD, it had been several decades since the death and resurrection of Jesus, and it would seem that these believers were considering a return to their “old ways”. The Jewish author makes a case for faith in Jesus Christ—much as a lawyer would make an argument or as a scientist might present a theory. He follows an organized and logical progression that frequently references OT scripture. He is knowledgeable and persuasive, as he attempts to convince these Jewish Christians that Jesus is superior to the angels and the prophets--that he ushers in a new covenant freeing them from the bondage of sin. They no longer need to atone with animal sacrifices.
They need not be weighed down by their sin—a sign of living under the old covenant. They only need to receive the forgiveness given to us through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This is the new covenant. Through faith in Jesus’ Christ sacrifice, we are forgiven our sins and born as new creatures. The author reminds these Jewish Christians of how eager they were when they first heard the Gospel and urges them not to throw away their confidence that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. Faith in Jesus Christ is all that is needed.

Now faith has a prestigious history with the Jewish people. Hebrews chapter 11 goes through a whole litany of OT folks who had an abundance of faith in God—which carried them through the most extraordinary circumstances.
We have heard about several of those people over the past few weeks. I remember especially Abraham. As I listened to Pastor Hanson talk about Abraham as a “pioneer”, as someone willing to take risks because of his faith in God—I was in awe and I was intimidated by someone willing to leave home with his family and live in a tent the rest of his days because of God’s promises. I have a hard time just coming out of my comfort zone!
Tonight we talk about the Israelites—the faith of the Israelites—the faith not of an individual but a community of God’s people. They went through a lot together and it wasn’t always pretty. They were often dismayed, and who can blame them? Wandering around the desert without sight of this Promised Land had to be tough. I can relate. For some reason I come to church on Sunday mornings and look out on the congregation and expect to see a full church. Perhaps this would satisfy my vision of “success”. Or perhaps it would lift my spirits. Or perhaps I simply want to share what I have come to treasure. Whatever my motivation, I am often disappointed. Not too unlike the Israelites I have limited vision. I get:
Discouraged
Impatient
Willful
Complain

Now…this was not all the Israelites were about. They had their moments. Can you imagine the fear that they felt when the angel of death passed over Egypt, killing the Egyptians’ firstborn? The scripture says that there was “ a loud cry in Egypt”. Yet the Israelites followed Moses out of Egypt—although he was afflicted with some sort of speech impediment and his brother, Aaron, had to act as his spokesperson. That took courage. And think about stepping onto the floor of the Red Sea with a wall of water on either side. This had to take a certain amount of faith. And which one of us wouldn’t get grumpy if we were hungry and thirsty with no prospects of satisfying these very basic human needs. Yes, they had their moments and so do we.
The Israelites’ faith had its ups and downs, but maybe the point is not about the Israelites faith. Maybe the point is God’s faithfulness. He was always waiting for the return and repentance of the Israelites. He never abandoned them, although they continually thought he had. He provided for all their needs—even though they complained and expected the worst. God’s faithfulness was enduring and his love unconditional. God is with us just as surely as he was with the Israelites in the desert. His love and faithfulness are everlasting.
We need only turn our faces to him. Amen.

Rocks In The Font: From Pastor Thomas S. Hanson

2011-03-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

There are rocks in the baptismal font, not water, but rocks. The water has run dry and so it shall be for a time. It is the dry season of the church, the season of Lent.

During Lent, the church is on a pilgrimage, a journey of faith. We have left the safety of our well-traveled roads and are led off into the wilderness, the desert, to confront our own devils. The quiet pool in which we usually splash the heads of infants with clean, warm water has dried up and we all are dusty, our mouths are dry.

For generations and generations before Jesus, God’s people were led out into a wilderness to wander and to wait. Set free during the horrible night of first-born death, Moses led the people into the desert. There they confronted their own devils — their faithlessness, their constant complaints, their rebellion. For forty years they wandered from one dry wadi to another seeking water. But it was God who provided their water of life. Moses touched the rocks with his staff and fresh spring water flowed and the people were refreshed. Forty years of wilderness and desert and God to lead them into the promised land through the flowing waters of the Jordon River.

Generations and generations passed and a voice was heard again in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight. Make the rocky places smooth and the rough places a plain!” John the Baptist had appeared in the wilderness and all the people came out to face their devils — their faithlessness, their constant complaints, their rebellion. In the wilderness, John preached repentance and judgment. Matthew says that all were baptized by John in the Jordon, confessing their sin. Jesus was also baptized by John there in the wilderness.

When Jesus came up out of the water, immediately the heavens were opened and a voice from those torn heavens spoke to him saying, “You are my Son, the beloved. With you I am well pleased” — the same thing any father would say to a favored son. But then the Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove and she sank her talons into his still wet head from his baptism. She drove him into the wilderness to confront his own devils. For forty days and nights Jesus was in the wilderness tempted by the devil.

Each Lent, still dripping wet from our own baptism, the Spirit drives us out into the wilderness. For forty days, from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, we confront our own devils in the desert — our faithlessness, our constant complaints, our rebellion. The safety and the security of the ever-flowing baptismal font is behind us, dried up. Our lips are parched, our spirits withered, and we know that the only way back is through Jerusalem, through the rocky Kidron Valley to the Rock, the Place of the Skull, through to our own death with Christ.

Yes, there are rocks in the baptismal font and they will stay there for a time. We are in the wilderness to wander and to wait. We have many of our own devils to confront — to repent, to be reconciled with God and one another, to be renewed, to be washed clean once again in the waters of baptism to be raised again with Jesus on Easter morning.
During the season of Lent, I encourage each of you to bring a rock from your home and place it in the baptismal font as a sign of your participation in our Lenten pilgrimage.

Pastor Thomas S. Hanson

A New Discipline for Lent!

2011-02-18T06:42:00.001-08:00

When I was growing up, it would never have occurred to me to “give something up” for Lent. That was something the Catholic kids did and we Protestants (including Lutherans) were suspicious of anything “Catholic.” That said, in my adult years, I actually found this deeply traditional practice attractive. In more recent years, I’ve been more likely to add something to my personal Lenten observance, rather than give something up.

This is an invitation for you to add something very specific to your Lenten discipline – singing in the Matins Choir or the Festival Choir from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. Some people have a hard time making a long term commitment, but Lent is only forty days (not including Sundays).

As a member of the choir, you will be more involved with the texts (written and musical) that we use in worship. You’ll become part of a small group within the St. Mark’s community. You’ll also have to give something up because singing in a choir requires a certain time commitment.

The Matins choir rehearses at 8:00 on Sunday morning, and then sings for the 8:30 service. Matins Choir singers are invited to participate in Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Passion Sunday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday services, but attendance on Wednesday night is necessary. (A schedule will be released soon.)

The Festival Choir rehearses on Wednesday evening at 7:40 p.m., then rehearses again on Sunday morning at 10:30, then sings for the 11:00 service. Special services for the season include Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.

We would love to have singers join just for this season. If you decide to stay, that will be fine too!

See Tony Cruz or any choir member for more information.

A Man’s Reach Should Exceed His Grasp, or What’s a Heaven For? Robert Browning

2011-02-18T06:33:00.001-08:00

Something I know: There will always be someone who can play better than me, sing better than me, and bring beautiful music from a choir better than me. There will always be someone who is more charitable than me, kinder than me, and stronger in a crisis than me. There will always be someone who knows more than me, works harder than me, and seems to have a better walk with God than me.

These people are my heaven. Even if they can’t do it with their lips, their actions, striving, and accomplishments propel and encourage me to work harder and achieve more.

Christopher Houlihan, a young organist studying at Julliard, came to Jacksonville to perform a concert. While he was here, he participated in our AGO Chapter’s “Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza” event. He worked with each child while they played (some for the first time) the pipe organs of All Saints Episcopal Church and Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. The American Organist said about him, “Clearly, Christopher Houlihan is a major talent whose star is destined to brightly shine over the horizon of the years ahead.” When the time for questions came, I asked about his practice habits. He practices at least SIX HOURS almost every day. Sometimes I’m lucky to practice six hours in a week!

This is the kind of thing that encourages me to push harder and be more committed. Christopher Houlihan is just one many, many people who have given me glimpses of heaven.

We are saved by grace, true; but, I’m inclined to believe that the heaven we find on earth comes from perseverance and toil.

A poster used to hang in Mr. Nelson’s seventh grade English class that held the quote from the title of this blog entry. Those twelve words were probably the most important thing I learned that year.
The accompanying photo was taken by my brother Andre. . .who is a better astronomer than me.

You Never Know Who Will Show Up For Worship on a Saturday Night in Advent

2010-12-04T18:30:00.000-08:00

Join us on the first and third Saturday of each month for our casual/contemporary service. We sometimes cancel this service in the event of a holiday, so feel free to check with me during the week! Tony

A Vocal Recital You Do Not Want to Miss This Sunday!

2010-11-12T07:19:00.001-08:00

Lindsey Tuller is doing a vocal recital in Taliaferro at St. John's Cathedral this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Her voice is no stranger to St. Mark's. In 2007 she sang the soprano arias from J.S. Bach's cantata "Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme." You will recall that, when she sang, the room was filled not only with her amazing voice but with the spirit of a woman who loves to sing.

Last September she appeared with the San Marco Chamber Music Society along with her husband Tim Tuller. She sang several works, but I especially enjoyed the three songs by Frank Bridge.

Other musicians appearing at this recital are Collin Patierno (guitar), Timothy Tuller (piano), and our own Ellen Olson (viola).

From Ms. Tuller's Facebook Event Page:
Enjoy the impressionistic vibes of Frank Bridge, the soothing & familiar tones of Charles Ives & Harry Burliegh, the avant garde beginnings of George Crumb, an expressionistic glimpse into Arnold Schoenberg's atonality and the haunting melodies & fiery passion of the great classical composer Manuel de Falla; An experience you will not want to miss.

A reception follows. You don't want to miss this event!!

All Saints Day at St. Mark's

2010-11-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

This year we observed All Saints Day by inviting people to come forward and light a candle in memory of a loved one. We also specifically remembered the saints from St. Mark's who have joined the church triumphant since the last All Saints Day. They were Ruby Baacke Iisager (1923 - 2009), Najla J. Ayoub (1914-2010) Argene "Mittie" Betz (1914-2010), Bruce Reymond (1929-2010) and Mattie Ruth "Coonie" Krantz Smith (1921-2010). In addition to remembering these saints, we celebrated three new saints baptized in the last year!

Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. - Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Angels Spotted in the Choir Loft!!

2010-11-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

Early last week, two angels showed up in the choir loft. I guess they had left their wings in heaven and exchanged them for a vacuum cleaner, broom, and other cleaning supplies. The choir loft in the nave got a complete makeover and it is now sparkling like new! They vacummed the chair cushions, cleaned the floor, and dusted the piano.
Thank you Margaret and Viki!

San Marco Chamber Music Society JDRF Benefit Results

2010-11-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

The San Marco Chamber Music Society held its annual concert of chamber music to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund on September 12th. Along with Eric and Ellen Olson, Tim Tuller and Lindsey Tuller presented a varied concert with works by Szewczyk, Brahms, Krebs, Bridge, Mullikin, and Bach. The entire concert was wonderful, but I have to confess the three songs by Frank Bridge (1833-1879) were my favorite - perhaps because I'd never heard them before.

Contributions from individuals were $1,896.00. A matching gift of $500.00 from Thrivent Financial For Lutherans brought the total amount raised to $2,396.00!

Did you miss SMCMS's first concert of the season? Then you won't want to miss future concerts on 1/16/2011 (Jacksonville Oboists), 2/13/2011 (Strings and Flute), and 4/3/2011 (Make It a Double). All concerts are at 7:00. There is no admission charge, but an offering will be taken.

St. Mark's is proud to host these outstanding concerts!

Contemporary Worship at St. Mark's

2010-10-23T08:58:00.001-07:00

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the word “contemporary” refers to something happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the same period of time. When “contemporary” is paired with “worship,” the usual image that comes to mind is worship led by a praise band, words projected on a screen, and multi-media presentations. That is not what the Saturday Casual/Contemporary service looks like at St. Mark’s. (Please understand, I am NOT speaking against anyone’s preferred style of worship or any church’s liturgy. I am simply stating that we have taken a different path.)

Lutheran worship “stands unashamedly in the liturgical tradition.” (Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Statement on Worship and Music) This means we will always have the elements of Gathering, Word, Table, and Sending. It also means that we will follow a lectionary – a prescribed series of readings that support and illuminate the church calendar.

So, what is contemporary about our Saturday service? We are telling our stories through dance, drama, and other artistic means. Congregational song is vitally important, but we are more likely to sing something written by David Haas or Marty Haugen (and other contemporary hymn writers) than something written by Isaac Watts. Along with hymns, we are also using “praise choruses.” We are “playing” with the psalm, sometimes using Isaac Everett’s “The Emergent Psalter” or reading the psalm together with an instrumental “vamp” playing beneath.

We’re also holding services in the gym (aka the fellowship hall), primarily because the nave with its very traditional trappings of stained glass windows, organ pipes and other appointments, has a lot to say about what kind of music and worship styles work best there. In the gym, we have set apart a worship space with colorful banners and the use of lighting. It’s worshipful – and portable!

After the first service was held, one of my favorite parishioners said to me, “Tony, I have to congratulate you on the Saturday service. I hear it’s gone very well. I would never come to Saturday night because that’s just not my thing. . .” A few weeks later, this same woman found herself at the Saturday service and said it was “incredible.”

So there you have it. This is what contemporary worship looks like at St. Mark’s. We worship on the first and third Saturdays of each month. I hope you’ll plan to join us sometime. Feel free to stop at your favorite coffee shop on the way and bring your beverage to church with you. Also, bring a friend.

Looking Ahead to a Special Service in Advent

2010-10-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

Lost in the night do the people yet languish,
longing for morning the darkness to vanquish,
plaintively sighing with hearts full of anguish.
Will not day come soon? Will not day come soon?
Nordic hymn translated by Olav Lee, 1859 – 1943
Evangelical Lutheran Worship No. 243

In Advent, while many of us are shopping in crowded malls, attending more than one party each week, and wondering how we could possibly eat one more Christmas cookie, there are people who are unable to participate fully in the joy around them. They are “lost.”

Perhaps they are lost in grief at the prospect of facing a holiday season without a loved one who died earlier in the year - or even many years ago. Perhaps they are lost in the struggle to find employment and somehow provide “christmas” for their family. They could be lost in loneliness, depression, or in the knowledge that old age in advancing on them. There could be any number of reasons and many may be lost in more than one of them.

December 21, also known as the winter solstice, is the longest night of the year. This year, we will observe a “Longest Night” service designed to bring messages of hope and deliverance through the intimacy of prayer and song, shadows and candlelight. Some will say that Tuesday of Christmas week is an odd time to have this service, but since it is right on the cusp of Christmas (when feelings of loss and grief are bound to be at their height) it really is exactly the right time to bring our burdens to Christ.

My brother Adam died at the age of 37 this past April. I’ll be inviting my brothers and sisters to this service. I’m going to invite friends who, as a family, have dealt with breast cancer this year. I’m also going to invite friends who have dealt with recent bitter disappointments.

Do you know someone who might benefit from hearing words that comfort, heal and deliver? Please invite them to this service. Better yet, say, “I’d love to come with you.”

The service will be on Tuesday, December 21st, in the nave.

“Christ is coming soon! Christ is coming soon!”

Contemporary Worship at St. Mark's Coming This Saturday

2010-09-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Our contemporary/casual service is coming this Saturday at 5:30 in the gym/fellowship hall. Come and see the readings presented in dance, drama, and song. Musical styles represented this weekend include calypso, Celtic, and contemporary song.

Banners are being fashioned (see pictures) and they will be used to set apart a section of the gymnasium, creating a space where God's people can gather to worship and pray.

Our contemporary service is held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month.

This week Moses tells we have two choices: life if we follow God, death if we follow other gods.

Paul challenges Philemon (and us) to treat others as children of God. Jesus tells us that following him will not be easy.

Come to worship on Saturday and bring a friend! All are welcome!

Come Sing In One of Our Choirs!

2010-08-26T10:09:00.001-07:00

In his book “Let the People Sing,” David Cherwien describes the climate we should strive to create for congregational singing as “true hospitality in which there is absence of fear of judgment; true, simple and natural communal expression in song.”

One of the ways the church helps create this is environment is by having a group of individuals dedicated to learning, rehearsing, and leading the song – the choir! The primary mission of this trained group of singers is to nurture our most important choir – the assembly!

If you have been considering a role in musical leadership, there are two ways to participate.

A small ensemble leads the singing at our 8:30 service. They meet at 8:00 on Sunday morning in the music suite to rehearse the hymns, service music, and to learn a short piece for the musical offering. We need more voices in this group! If you can read music, that will be a big help, but it isn’t required. See Tony Cruz for more information, or simply show up on Sunday morning, ready to sing!

The Festival Choir sings at the 11:00 service. They rehearse hymns and service music, but also spend time on music that is designed to be sung by a trained choir. In the words of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Worship Statement: Simple congregational song and music of the highest artistic achievement join together in praise of God and in the proclamation of the Word. This dialogue has long been an important aspect of worship at St. Mark’s. The Festival Choir rehearses in the music suite on Wednesday evening at 7:40, and again on Sunday morning at 10:30. The ability to read music is helpful, but not required. See Tony Cruz or any choir member for more information.

Please join us in one of our choirs!

Photo credit: Bill Daugherty

When Bad Things Happen to Good Organs

2010-08-26T09:52:00.001-07:00

It's the call no organist wants to receive in the middle of the night - or in the middle of the day as I did!

"Tony, they've dropped something on the organ and one of the keys broke off."

Naturally, I couldn't stay away. I was at church within a couple of hours where I found a key glued back in place, and not too badly I might add. BUT, two of the WHITE keys in the MIDDLE of the keyboard REFUSED TO SING!

The first person I called was our organ technician, Dave Klug. Dave promised to come on Monday to see what needed to be done. It wasn't that big an issue, really. The weight of the object that fell had cause the contact points beneath the two keys to move so that when a key was played, there was no signal to open the pipe. Easily fixed.

So we had one service played completely on the piano. No big deal and lots of people enjoyed hearing more piano. I could have used another week on that Rheinberger prelude anyway.

Maybe this isn't such a great story, but I really wanted an excuse to post this really picture. The manuals (keyboards) are folded up and back so that the technician has access to what he needs. It's a neat photo - but let's hope we don't have to see it again!

Oh, the answers to your questions. 1. No, the organ does not have a roll-top cover. 2. No, I don't know why.

River City Men's Chorus Encore Performance! August 27th at 8 PM

2010-08-26T09:40:00.001-07:00

My name is Tony and I’m a Facebook addict. (Hi Tony!) Well, maybe not an addict, but I do spend a lot of time there and I’ve seen some really interesting things – not the least of which was an invitation to join a men’s choir. I wouldn’t have thought to start a choir on Facebook, but R. Wayne Bailey, Choral Director and Professor at Florida State College Jacksonville, did - and with some pretty stunning results.

The River City Men’s Chorus started as a 6-8 week commitment of rehearsals followed by a single concert. I sang in the Duval County All-City Chorus under Mr. Bailey a very long time ago (1980!) and had always hoped there would be another opportunity, so I said “yes.”

To make it even better, the concert would be a benefit for In The Pink, a non-profit salon/boutique that caters to women living with cancer. You can read more about their work at www.jaxinthepink.com.

The concert featured a choir of about 30 men singing a wide range of musical styles including classical, spiritual and gospel – something for everyone to enjoy. The concert also included performances by other Jacksonville area musicians.

This successful benefit raised over $1,700.00. It was so successful (and so much fun!) that we’re doing it again! See a repeat performance on Friday, August 27th at St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church (465 11th Ave N in Jacksonville Beach). The concert starts at 8:00 PM and I hope to see you there!

An Artifact Goes Home

2010-07-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

One of my long term projects is entering all of the choral anthems in our library into an Excel spreadsheet. This should make it easier to find anthems by title, composer, season, biblical citation, ELW number and many other ways.

As I was working last week, I came across Ralph Vaughan Williams' "O Taste and See." Across the folder was written "July 20, 1970," which I am assuming is the last time this anthem was sung at St. Mark's before it was filed away just like any other piece of music is filed after being sung.

This one, however, was not like any other anthem for stamped boldly across each copy were the words "Hendricks Ave Baptist Church / Jacksonville, 7, Florida." Had this piece of music been on loan to St. Mark's for forty years? It would be kind of embarrassing to try to return it now. Maybe I could just sneak over there, under cover of darkness, and slide it under the choir room door. Maybe they wouldn't even want it back.

Another important piece of this story: just over two years, A fire started in the choir room at HAB, made its way to the sanctuary, and the church burned to the ground just before Christmas. They have since rebuilt a beautiful new worship space with a 60+ rank Schleuter pipe organ.

I sent an email to Tommy S., Minister of Music at Hendricks and asked him what he would like for me to do. What to me was a folder of yellowed anthems, so old they cost 20 cents a piece, was something to treasure. You see, the fire had destroyed the choral library. This piece of music was an artifact of the not-so-distant past, an artifact that will soon be going home.

The Butterly Effect

2010-06-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

Today, as I've been making final preparations for the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Region 2 biennial conference, the butterly effect has been coming to my mind. According to Wikipedia, the butterfly effect is something like this: The way that a butterfly flaps its wings could alter the air around it, and then the atmosphere, in such a manner that the path of a tornado could be altered. That seems a litte far-fetched to me but here is something that doesn't. The more we take the time to learn from each other, and the more we take time to teach each other, we alter the world in which we live.

It's not hard to see how this would happen at a music conference. A conferee may go home with one idea on improving congregational hymn singing that takes such hold in her home church that it changes that community's singing culture forever! A singer in her children's choir grows up to become a church music director and teaches the same method in his churches for years.

A vocalist might hear something about vocation that changes the way he sees his singing completely. Instead of pure art or entertainment, it becomes true worship that draws others in to a closer relationship with God.

You can see where I'm going with this. We are all students and we are all teachers. We all have the potential to be life altering butterflies.

Maybe someday I'll write about how this could have an adverse effect, but for now, I'm excited about what I will learn in the next few days that will change the way I think and work. No matter what your profession is, take time to be a student and a teacher.

We Welcome the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Region 2

2010-06-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

St. Mark’s is hosting region 2 of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians through Thursday of this coming week. About 45 organists, choir directors, singers, instrumentalists, educators, etc. are expected to be here through Wednesday. There are several events to which you are invited.

Sunday, June 20 at 7:00 PM
A concert by the San Marco Chamber Music Society featuring Eric and Ellen Olson along with pianist/harpsichordist Christine Clark. A reception, sponsored by the St. Mark’s WELCA will follow.

Monday, June 21st at 9:00 AM
Opening Eucharist in the nave at St. Mark’s

Monday, June 21st at 7:00 PM
An organ concert by our conference organist Florence Jowers of Lenoir-Rhyne University. She will play the brand new Schleuter pipe organ at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church.

Tuesday, June 22nd at 8:30 AM
Morning Prayer with organ and handbells at All Saints Episcopal Church.

Wednesday, June 23rd at 10:30
Closing Eucharist with the conference choir under the direction of Dr. André Thomas from Florida State University.

I hope that you will be able to come to some of these events.

Music for a Funeral

2010-05-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

Many of you reading this blog know that my brother Adam recently died. His passing was sudden and unexpected. One morning, while jogging, he collapsed and never regained consciousness. Needless to say, my entire family was (and still is) devastated. When I was asked to serve as the organist for his funeral, I hesitated, but only for a second. Finally, I was grateful to have something to do – something I actually knew about!

The first order of business was to choose the hymns. I had already thought of this and had a few suggestions – three of which were used.

There is a saying in the organist world. If you don’t specify the hymns before you die, you’re going to get “Amazing Grace,” “In the Garden,” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” (Let me stress, there is nothing wrong with ANY of these, especially if they are what someone has requested.)
So these are the hymns and why they were chosen.
First, “Amazing Grace.” I know that conflicts with the last paragraph; but, I chose it because we sang it around Adam’s hospital bed during an intensely moving prayer service. Also, I know that Adam is in God’s care and keeping and that one day, we will all be with Adam “bright shining as the sun” and singing God’s praises together.

The second hymn was “It Is Well With My Soul.” Google the history of this hymn and you’ll learn that the author wrote it in response to the dreadful news that his wife and children had perished when their ship sank en route to America. Adam left three sons behind aged 16, 10, and 6. The first verses speak of sorrow with each one giving away to a refrain of a simple but solid statement of faith. The final verse speaks of the resurrection!

Finally, I chose “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Adam spent some time in the Lutheran Church, but was baptized in a non-denominational (though Christian) service. At the time he died he was a member of a Presbyterian church. I have to admit I was thinking of Adam’s ancestors when I chose the hymn – hardy Norwegian Lutheran stock they were. If our loved ones meet us when we die, I know that some of those Lutherans were there waiting for him on the other side.

There was other music: Eric and Ellen Olson played the oboe and viola during the prelude, my niece Jessica played a guitar solo that Adam taught her, and Jessica accompanied another niece, Maya, who sang and made us all proud of her voice and poise. Finally, my brother and sister and I sang “Steal Away.”

I guess if this story has a moral, here it is. If you know what hymns you want to have sung at your funeral, then tell someone. I’m sure Adam, being only 37, never thought it was anywhere near the time to share that information. I hope he likes the ones we picked. Rest in peace, dear brother. We love you.

Church Music Celebration: Sunday, May 30th at 3:00

2010-05-27T04:36:00.000-07:00

Our annual church music celebration features all of the St. Mark's musical ensembles singing, ringing, and playing their favorite pieces from the past year. That adds up to quite a variety of music for all of the liturgical seasons and includes offerings by the Festival Choir, St. Mark's Ringers, Alleluia Ringers, Kingdom Choir, members of the San Marco Chamber Music Society and the Behind the Pulpit Ensemble.

In this informal setting, you'll hear works by Paul Manz, William Billings, Arnold Sherman and many more. A reception will follow.

This event is free and all are welcome! We hope that you will join us.

Holy Week and Easter Sunday at St. Mark's

2010-03-30T09:54:00.001-07:00

Holy Week began on Palm Sunday with our Procession of Palms and our neighbors: Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church and All Saints Episcopal Church. Here are the details for the rest of the week:

Wednesday (3/31/10): Lenten devotion in the nave at 10:30 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. The topic is Holy Communion with readings from scripture and Martin Luther's Catechism.

Maundy Thursday (4/1/2010) at 7:00 p.m. The Festival Choir sings On the Passion of Christ by David H. Williams. Communion follows and then the Stripping of the Altar.

Good Friday at 12:00 noon(4/2/2010): A traditional service from Evangelical Lutheran Worship that we have not done before. (This is NOT the three-hour-long service that many Lutherans will remember from their growing-up years.) The service is devotional in nature, with hymns, prayers, and the Solemn Reproaches.

Good Friday Evening at 7:00 p.m. Our Living Stations of the Cross service combines pageantry, prayers, readings and hymns of Our Lord's Passion by the Festival Choir to create a unique service that you won't want to miss. The Stations of the Cross are depicted in tableau (see the picture above of Jesus Meets His Mother). Invite a friend to experience this with you!

Easter Vigil (Saturday, 4/3/10 at 7:00 p.m.) For centuries Christians have used candlelight, prayers, hymns, and Old Testament readings that tell of God's grace from the time of creation to build anticipation for the cry of "Alleluia!" Our service includes music by the St. Mark's Ringers, Festival Choir, and Kingdom Choir. This is a much abbreviated version of the traditional Easter Vigil which, I'm told, used to last into the wee hours of the morning.

Easter Sunday (Sunday, 4/4/2010 at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.) "The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!" will be our cry as we remember the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Alleluia Ringers play "Alleluia! Give Thanks!" The Festival Choir sings William Billings' "The Lord Is Risen Indeed" and Eric and Ellen Olson provide selections from Vivaldi's Gloria with the oboe and viola.

All are welcome! Come and See!

Newberry College Singers at St. Mark's on March 7th at 6 PM

2010-02-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

Founded in 1932, the Newberry College Singers are a premier auditioned choral ensemble with a rich tradition of singing through excellent performances of choral mastersworks that range from repertoire of the Middle Ages through the 21st century. They will be performing a free concert at St. Mark's on Sunday, March 7th, at 6 PM.

An offering will be taken and all are welcome!

Handbell Weekend 2010

2010-02-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

On Friday, Feb. 19, eleven of our handbell ringers and I loaded up the cars and headed for Lutheridge, an ELCA-affiliated conference and retreat center in the mountains near Arden, North Carolina. We had registered for the Intermediate Track and were looking forward to ringing under the direction of clinician Michael Joy.

The schedule was a grueling one that included 10.5 hours of rehearsal time before our concert Sunday morning.

In addition to rehearsals, workshops, and lots of eating (Lutheridge does great meals!), we spent a very pleasant evening with Pastor Bill and Karla Trexler in their beautiful new home. Pastor Trexler served St. Mark's as Pastor from 1979 until 1995 when he was elected Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas synod.

And yes. . .there was SNOW! Pastor Tim explained that most of the snow we were seeing had actually been on the ground since before Christmas. We arrived during a warming spell so it was beginning to melt and make things muddy. (A good thing too. Some of us were nervous about the possibility of having to drive on ice.)

Exhausted but musically refreshed, we started our trek down the mountain on Sunday afternoon at about 2:00. We met for dinner at a Cracker Barrell in Pooler, GA before beginning the final leg of our journey home.

Thanks to everyone who went and drove. Special thanks to Rose and Larry for obtaining the trailer, loading it, and pulling all of our equipment up the mountain! Thank you to Pastor and Karla Trexler for a delicious dinner and wonderful evening!

AGO Hymn Festival at St. Mark's on Sunday, September 27th at 7:00 p.m.

2009-09-08T20:11:00.000-07:00

The Jacksonville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will host a hymn festival titled: The Church of Christ: A Mission to Serve. The festival features hymns and readings around a theme of peace and justice. Each hymn will be played by a different member of the chapter. Some of the organists scheduled to play are: Rodney Cleveland (Lakewood Presbyterian Church and Chapter Dean), Zach Klobnack (All Saints Episcopal Church), Matt Daniel (St. Margaret's Episcopal Church), Jane Daugherty (St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church), Tony Testino (Interim at Geneva Presbyterian Church), Tim Mack (Holy Cross Lutheran) and David Emery (St. Matthew's Catholic Church).

The public is invited to attend and sing! An offering will be taken to support the work of the guild and a reception will follow.

Kingdom Choir for Grades 1 - 6 Begins on September 13th

2009-09-08T20:01:00.001-07:00

Children are not just the church of tomorrow, they are also the church today! Our singers in the Kingdom Choir prove that each time they lead in worship.

This choir, for children in grades 1 - 6, prepares music for Sunday morning worship and attends a Chorister's Guild music festival annually. This year's festival will be held on February 27th in Winter Park. Singers learn to read music, provide music for services at St. Mark's, and have a good time doing it! Rehearsals are held after the 11:00 service each Sunday and last about one hour.

Contact Tony Cruz for more information.

Pictured: Singers and their parents who attended last year's Choristers Guild festival

San Marco Chamber Music Society: Sunday, September 13th at 7:00 p.m.

2009-09-08T19:47:00.001-07:00

The first concert of the San Marco Chamber Music Society's 2009/10 season will be a benefit concert for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It will be held Sunday, September 13 at 7PM at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3976 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville 32207.Come and enjoy the fine acoustics of St. Mark's as we play the music of Reger, Bach, Eichner, Telemann, Britten, and Saint-Saens. Eric Olson, oboe; Karen Pommerich, violin; Ellen Olson, viola; and Edith Moore-Hubert will be the featured performers. The concert is free, and there will be a free will offering to benefit JDRF. The first $200 raised will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. After the concert, please enjoy refreshments in Hart Hall with the musicians.

An Invitation to Singers: Bach Vespers on November 8, 2009

2009-09-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

Singers from the community are invited to join St. Mark's in singing a Bach Vespers service, with orchestra, on November 8th at 6:00 p.m. This year's cantata is Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden (Stay With Us For Evening Falls), written for Easter Monday and first sung nearly 300 years ago on April 2, 1725. There is no charge to be a part of the choir. Rehearsals are on Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00 on October 17th, 24th, and 31st. The dress rehearsal with orchestra is on Saturday, November 7th at 2:00 p.m. (I put the dress rehearsal in bold type because it is not our usual time; however, it's a busy week for many of our orchestra players and was the only available time.)
For more information, contact Tony Cruz at vespers@comcast.net, or by calling the church at 396-9608 x18.
St. Mark's has a long tradition of singing Bach Vespers as part of its musical outreach to the community. We hope that you will become a part of the tradition this year!

Be A Disciple: Serve in the Festival Choir

2009-07-30T02:18:00.000-07:00

Have you been listening to the sermons about the Six Marks of Discipleship and wondering where you might be able to serve at St. Mark's? Perhaps you could serve by singing in the Festival Choir! Our committed group of singers meets in the music suite on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 where we rehearse to support the church's song. In addition to the hymns and liturgy, we learn a repertoire that covers a a wide variety of music: plainsong, renaissance polyphony, English cathedral, music from the German tradition, spirituals, and music by living composers.

The choir sings each Sunday, alternating between the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. (On major feast days, we sing at both services.) We're on our summer break now, but rehearsals will begin August 26th so that we will be in place for Rally Day.

If you are considering joining the choir and have questions, contact Tony Cruz or any choir member.

Photo: The Festival Choir annual Advent photo from 2008 by Bill Daugherty

Sewanee Church Music Conference - A Taste of Things to Come

2009-07-30T01:52:00.001-07:00

Many of you have heard me say what I believe our lives will be like once Jesus returns to establish his kingdom on earth. It's a glorious vision of choir practices by day and concert and worship services by night! That's part of the appeal of the Sewanee Church Music Conference at the University of the South in Sewanee Tennessee - because they already live that way! (Many of you will remember that this is where Nancy R. -who grew up at St. Mark's - went to college.

A good part of the day was spent in rehearsals with Thomas Foster (Parish Musician at Epiphany Episcopal Parish in Seattle Washington) and Dr. Janette Fishell (Professor of Organ and Chair of the Organ Department at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University). The purpose of these rehearsals was to prepare for a Friday Choral Evensong (vespers) and a Sunday Morning service of Eucharist. My favorite piece was "If Ye Love Me" by Philip Wilby. I've ordered it for our choir and believe it will become a staple of our repertoire. (The piece is available on ITunes if you'd like to give it a listen.)

All Saints Chapel on the University Campus is an incredible space for choral music, especially when that music has been prepared by 120 musicians dedicated to leading the best worship possible. The church seemed full of our Magnificats and Glorias in a way that can't be described. It was uplifting and worshipful in a way I simply cannot describe.

There were also workshops to attend on Psalm singing, organ performance, choral techniques, and more.

I have attended this conference before, but the last time was in 2003. Still, I was able to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. There were several people from Jacksonville that I knew, including one of my former organ teachers.

Until Jesus returns, it's nice to get away to the Sewanee Church Music Conference now and again!

If you would like to see more pictures, they are available on my FaceBook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028678&id=1473301698&l=10b6205de7

Pictures: Me with Russell, Lawrence, and Chip. Me with Fay L. and Bill P. (my former organ teacher), an inside view of All Saints Chapel.

June 7, 2009 at 5:00 pm Church Music Celebration!

2009-05-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

The Church Music Celebration marks the end of the rehearsal season for most of the music ensembles at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church. To mark this important time, all of our musical ensembles gather to present their favorite muscial pieces from the previous year. This means there will be music from all liturgical seasons and in a variety of styles. You'll hear The Festival Choir, Kingdom Choir, St. Mark's Ringers, Alleluia Ringers, Renaissance Men, and The Behind the Pulpit Ensemble. This year there will also be a special appearnce by Eric and Ellen Olson from the San Marco Chamber Music Society, St. Mark's newest musical ensemble.

This is an informal concert event and everyone is invited. Please invite your friends! We'll have time for fellowship and refreshments after the concert.

An offering will be taken to help build Lutheran churches in Haiti!

The Experience Youth Choir June 22nd at 7:30

2009-05-30T12:05:00.001-07:00

The Experience from Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC

Each summer this group of young people takes a summer tour. In all, about 80 youth and adults make the tour as they share the good news of Jesus Christ through contemporary music, signing, technology, and drama. The group is directed by Mark Glaeser. Many will remember their visit to St. Mark's several years ago.

The concert is free and all are welcome! An offering will be taken to help the group cover expenses of the tour.

Everbody is invited to this concert! Please plan to come and invite your friends!

Music 101: Learn The Basics of Reading Music

2009-05-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

Do you ever open Evangelical Lutheran Worship on Sunday morning, see a hymn you don’t know, and have difficulty participating in the singing? Do you wonder why we bother to print the music for psalm refrains and psalm tones? Do you think all of those lines, circles and stems above the lyrics are a secret code forever lost to you? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then Music 101 might be for you!

Music 101 teaches the basics of reading music from rhythm to notes in a fun six-week course. It is designed for the novice music reader to make your worship and musical experiences easier and more meaningful. The class will meet on Wednesday evenings beginning June 10^th, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Location to be announced.

Each session will also include a Church Music Appreciation module with a different topic each evening.

There is no charge and the class is open to all interested participants from St. Mark’s and the community. Feel free to bring a friend. Each class will build on information from the previous class, so make-ups will be available if a class is missed.

Contact Tony Cruz to register.

The San Marco Chamber Music Society Features Ruxandra Marquardt Sunday April, 26th at 7 PM

2009-04-15T01:27:00.000-07:00

Ruxandra Marquardt

This concert features Ms. Marquardt playing the Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor by J.S. Bach

Other works include: Fantasy Quartet by E.J. Moeran (Eric Olson, oboe)

Music by Telemann

A surprise world premiere!

The concert is free and all are invited!

Holy Week 2009 at St. Mark's

2009-04-13T13:55:00.001-07:00

Holy Week began with the Palm Sunday procession from All Saints Episcopal Church with All Saints and Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. The handbell choirs from the three churches joined together to play the prelude, then we processed around All Saints singing "Ride On, King Jesus."
Wednesday brought the conclusion of the "Stones" series preached by Pastor Dow and Pastor Peacock for our midweek Lenten worship.

Maundy Thursday began with Confession and Forgiveness, followed by a footwashing service, Holy Communion, and the stripping of the altar.

Good Friday saw a Stations of the Cross service at noon, and a living Stations of the Cross in the nave at 7 p.m. The latter featured actors in biblical dress reenacting the stations of the cross in tableau with music by the Festival Choir.

Saturday night was the Easter Vigil which brought the display of six panels depicting the six lessons from the Old Testament that we heard that night. The "Creation" panel was done by students and graduates of St. Mark's Ark. The "Flood" panel was done by the One Light Singles' Ministry group. Lauren S. did "Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones." Thanks to all of our artists, and to Bob W. for building the panels and hanging them. Music for the service was done by the Renaissance Men, St. Mark's Ringers, Kingdom Choir, and the Festival Choir.

Easter Sunday featured accompaniment of the hymns by organ and the Lion's Brass. The St. Mark's Ringers played Michael Helman's "Variations on Hyfrydol," and the Festival Choir sang Randall Thompson's "Alleluia."

Christ is risen indeed!

Easter Vigil Saturday April, 11 at 7:00 p.m.

2009-04-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

The story of Jonah and the big fish is a classic tale about God's grace. The Old Testament is full of stories like this one: The Creation, The Great Flood, and The Valley of Dry Bones to name a few. Come to the Easter vigil to hear these stories again, illuminated by poetry, drama, art and music. The artwork pictured shows just two of six pieces (approximately 5 feet x 3 feet) that will adorn the nave for our vigil celebration.

Bring a bell (any size, color, pitch) to ring during the Gospel Acclamation as we celebrate our Lord's resurrection. Music, hymns, preaching, baptism, and holy communion will all be part of this annual celebration. Come and bring a friend!

Musical Bears

2009-03-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

Twice each week the "bears" (4 year olds from St. Mark's Ark) come to the music suite for "Tunes." This time includes singing games, songs, and playing Orff instruments. We also learn about words that describe music and how to use our singing voice as opposed to our talking and shouting voices.

Some of the Songs we have learned are: O How Good Is Christ the Lord, Chatter With The Angels, All Night All Day, Jesus Hands Were Kind Hands.

Everything looks pretty orderly in these pictures, but it doesn't alwasy feel that way. It wouldn't be possible without Miss Mallory, Miss Marie, Miss Danielle, and a few of the other Ark teachers as well.

Children at St. Mark's Ark have several opportunities for music. In addition to "Tunes," they have singing time with Miss Paulette and Miss Susan.

Dancing On The Mountain

2009-03-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

On Transfiguration Sunday Pastor Peacock's sermon was titled "Dancing On The Mountain." After the sermon, Shellie, James and Emily shared the gift of dance to the song "El Shaddai."

We thank these three for sharing their gifts with us.

Choristers Guild Festival

2009-03-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

The motely crew above descended on the unsuspecting folks of Lake Wales, Florida for the purpose of attending a children's choir festival sponsored by the Choristers Guild Central Florida Chapter. Our choir spent several months learning and memorizing songs for this festival and then sang them under the direction of Marjorie Smith from Tampa, Florida.

The day was not just about singing. Our children also partipated in craft projects, Orff classes, Drumming, and more. The final concert on Saturday included all of these, plus puppetry and dance.

Look for the Kingdom Choir to sing next at the Easter Vigil on April 11th at 7:00 p.m.

St. Mark's has a unique connection to Choristers Guild since our former Cantor, Jim Rindelaub, is the Executive Director of the organization.

Choristers Guild, a Christian organization, enables leaders to nurture the spiritual and musical growth of children and youth.

2009 Lutheridge Handbell Retreat

2009-03-13T18:14:00.001-07:00

A group of handbell ringers from St. Mark's enjoyed the annual handbell retreat at Lutheridge the weekend of February 21st. This retreat involves several rehearsals under a well known clinician which culminate in a concert on Sunday morning. This year our group studied with accomplished composer and musician Sandra Eithun from Wisconsin.

One ringer, Leslie A., had this to say: It was a wonderful weekend that included fellowship with close friends, the opportunity to play beautiful music, and the challenge of developing skills in musical presentation to enhance worship. The clinician was wonderful. She really worked with us to convey the meaning of the music. AND we got to see a small amount of snow.

This retreat allows for precious little down time. As you can see, some of our ringers used that time to knit prayer shawls from St. Mark's prayer shawl ministry.

America's Finest Choir - Coming February 10th

2009-02-03T05:42:00.000-08:00

Epiphanies often come when we least expect them. I certainly wasn't expecting one that winter night in February of my sophomore year of high school when I went to hear the St. Olaf Choir perform about 30 miles from my home in Viroqua, Wisconsin . . .but it was exactly an epiphany that I got.

I had been singing in the choir at school since sixth grade and enjoying every minute of it. I had heard several church choirs and, even in the Midwest where EVERYBODY sings, even the good ones simply represented a fun diversion. By this time, in my school choirs, I had sung a little Bach ("Now Let Every Tongue Adore Thee," and ""Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light"), but those experiences did not prepare me for the St. Olaf Choir.

That night, music became more than fun and something that decorated church services. Music became worship and I knew that music would forever have a new meaning for me.

Specifically, I remember hearing Britten's "Ode to St. Cecelia," Grieg's "God Son Has Made Me Free," and Christiansen's setting of "Beautiful Savior."

This amazing choir comes to Jacksonville every three years, so you don't want to miss this opportunity. The concert is on Tuesday, February 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Jacoby Symphony Hall. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

So, please come to the concert. I can't promise it will change your life, but it will enrich you.

Pianist Knut Erik Jensen from Norway on March 22nd

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Click on the image to view this poster full size.

Concert: San Marco Chamber Music Society on January 25th

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Click on the image to view this poster in a larger size.

Festival Choir Annual Advent Photo

2008-12-23T17:26:00.001-08:00

The Festival Choir's annual Advent photo was taken last Sunday, Dec. 21st. We rescheduled the photo three times due to various absences, but still weren't able to get everybody in. We missed Viki, Todd, Shirley and Katie. Thank you, as always, to Bill Daugherty, our very patient parish photographer. The festival choir alternates between singing at the early and late services (except on major feast days when we sing both services). We lead the church's song in hymnody and service music and generally prepare a musical offering (choral anthem) each week. Many of our members also participate in Bach Vespers services each year. The choir's literature is varied covering the range from Bach to Spirituals.
Membership is open to all singers of senior high school age and above. The ability to read music is helpful, but not required. (You will learn as you go along!) For information about singing in the choir, contact me by email or talk to any choir member.

Merry Christmas from the Kids at St. Mark's Ark

2008-12-23T17:16:00.000-08:00

I was walking to the office today when I heard "Deck The Halls" being sung merrily from somwhere. I followed the sound to the San Marco room where I found children from the Ark, accompanied by Ms. Susan Reister, singing Christmas carols. I sat down for a round of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman. I returned a few minutes later to capture this video.

St. Mark's Ark is a preschool and ministry of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church. For more information, please visit the website at www.classconnection.org./stmarksark.

Mystery and Marvel on Christmas Eve

2008-12-18T04:52:00.000-08:00

St. Mark's has a long tradition of a service of music being sung before the 11:00 Christmas Eve Service. This year's service is titled "Mystery and Marvel." The Festival Choir will sing O Magnum Mysterium (Tomas Luis Victoria), Rosa Mystica (Sharon Elery Rogers), and Before the Marvel of This Night (Carl Schalk). The St. Mark's Ringers will play handbell arrangements of Divinum Mysterium ("Of the Father's Love Begotten") and Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella.
Mystery and Marvel begins at 10:30. I hope to see you there. Everyone is welcome!

A Visit From St. Nick (Part 1)

2008-12-18T04:45:00.000-08:00

My new BFF, Bishop Nicholas of Myra (aka Santa Claus), stopped by to ask what I wanted for Christmas. I didn't hesitate to give him a lengthy list.

A Visit From St. Nick (Part 2)

2008-12-18T04:42:00.000-08:00

". . .and I want three new singers on each voice part, twelve new ranks for the organ (including but not limited to French Horn and Festival Trumpet stops), 30 copies of the Augsburg Choirbook for the choir, a lamp for the Yamaha piano, and . . ."

A Visit From St. Nick (Part 3)

2008-12-18T04:40:00.000-08:00

"That's a pretty long list, Tony. Tell me, have you been bad or good this year?"

"Well, Santa . . .I can explain EVERYTHING!"

Thanks to Bill Daugherty, Parish Photographer, for the photos. Thanks to Steve and Jenny Hicks for insuring Santa's safe arrival at St. Mark's!

Rejoice and Be Merry - The MTC Has A New Recording!

2008-11-29T07:19:00.000-08:00

Looking for a new and exciting recording to add to your holiday music collection? Then get Rejoice and Be Merry! by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring The Kings Singers. If you get it, please don't let it be background music to dinner and household chores. . .at least the first time. Sit down with a cup of coffee, dim the lights, turn off the the phone, and just LISTEN. My favorite cuts: Sussex Carol (1) is an exciting arrangement by Mack Wilberg that really raises the roof. Wilberg's arrangements continue to amaze me year after year, recording after recording. Wonder what his inspiration could be? Perhaps it's the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! La Peregrinacion (The Pilgrimage) (6) is from a 1964 cantata by Argentine composer Ariel Ramirez. The lyrics are by Felix Luna and tell the story of Mary and Joseph making their journey, but relocated to the pampas of northern Argentina. Elements of jazz and latin music combine. The harmonies will make any last remaining "humbug" leave your bloodstream immediately. Read the English lyrics too. In part, "Tread the path, tread the path, Joseph and Mary, with God hidden within. Nobody knew." It's stunning.
O Holy Night (11) will blow you away. I Saw Three Ships (16) is a virtuosic organ piece that will make you think the organist, Richard Elliot, has seven fingers on each hand and an extra foot!
The rest of the album is entirely worth your time.
Disclaimer: I'm not making any money from the sales of this album. Too bad too cause it's gonna be a hit!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T11:25:00.000-08:00

Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit, lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship, page 61

Last night's combined Thanksgiving Eve service with All Saints Episcopal church was a success. With about 90 people in attendance, joyful music, good preaching and reverent liturgy, we gave thanks to God for his many blessings. Thank you to all of the Festival choir members who came and sang "With A Voice of Singing." Thank you to our new friends at All Saints for initiating this venture: Father Thomas W. Deppe, Father Gee Alexander, and Interim Parish Musician Sharon Murawski. We look forward to worshiping with you again soon!

As you give thanks today, remember to happily feed the angels and not worry so much about the vacuuming!

A New Carol for Advent Christmas!

2008-11-18T07:36:00.000-08:00

Sung to the tune: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

If you like to sing at Christmas, now’s the time that you should come.
Advent, Christmas move upon us, carols dear we start to hum.
If your goal is slightly higher, and you’d like to join the choir,
Learn some notes and tap your feet, join us in the music suite!
Christmas music we’ve begun. Practice is for everyone.

The Festival Choir is beginning to rehearse music for the Advent and Christmas seasons. If you’d like to sing during this special time of the year, please join us for rehearsals on Wednesday evening at 7:30 in the music suite. See Tony Cruz or any choir member for more information. Send email to vespers@comcast.net.

Thank You to Bach Vespers Participants

2008-11-10T06:52:00.001-08:00

Another Bach Vespers service is behind us. The most recent service was on Nov. 9, 2008 and featured cantata no. 93 "Wer nur den lieben Gott laasst walten." Our hymns were "Evening and Morning" (Evangelical Lutheran Worship #761), "O Light Whose Splendor Thrills and Gladdens" (ELW #563) and "Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart" (ELW #750). The first and last are hymns only recently added to the repertoire of St. Mark's (though old hymns to the Lutheran Church), but they were sung as if we had been singing them for years. The service also included the evening canticle (Magnificat) by Heinrich Schutz, and a setting of psalm 141 by Thomas Pavlechko from the St. Martin's Psalter.

The tradition of Bach Vespers, begun by Cantor Jim Rindelaub, is more than 20 years old at St. Mark's. It is also our tradition to invite singers from the community to join in these services and this year we were happy to have about 20 of them! Thank you to all of you for singing with us! Thanks also to the choir members from St. Mark's who participated. I'd also like to thank our orchestra members - and Ellen Olson for hiring them. Thanks to Eric Olson and Edie Hubert for voluntaries by G. F. Handel and Telemann. Thank you to Frank Starbuck for being the choir's German diction coach and for transcribing orchestral parts for the hymns.

Thank you to our soloists for their hard work and dedication : Jane Kilby (soprano), Emily Madigan (alto), William Adams (tenor), and Frank Starbuck (bass).

Hiring an orchestra and purchasing scores is an expensive proposition and we could not do it without the generous contributions from folks at St. Mark's and the community, so I sincerely thank each of you.

Thank you to Bill Daugherty for our pictures above. He does a great job of documenting the life of our parish.

Thank you to Pastor Peacock for leading our worship as he chanted, read the scriptures, and led the prayers. Thank you to Pastor Dow for extending the Welcome in our service.

Thank you to Laurie Aurand for organizing the reception that provided a great opportunity for fellowship. (I'm afraid our rehearsal schedule didn't permit much socializing, so this was a nice chance for our singers to meet each other!) By the way, if you want a good dip for apple slices, mix one cup of caramel ice cream topping with a block of cream cheese.

This year's vespers service was concurrent with the celebration of St. Mark's 70th anniversary. For more information about the history, present, and future of St. Mark's, please visit our web site at http://www.stmarksjax.org/.

If you would like to receive an invitation to sing with us in the next Bach Vespers service, please send an email to Tony Cruz at vespers@comcast.net.

Bach Vespers on November 9, 2008 at 6:00

2008-11-03T09:31:00.001-08:00

On Sunday evening, November 9th, there will be a Bach Vespers service at 6 p.m. featuring J. S. Bach's cantata no. 93 "Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten." The choir will be comprised of singers from the Festival Choir of St. Mark's and many singers from the community. The orchestra will be instrumentalists from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and from the community.

Written for the fifth Sunday after Trinity while Bach was in Leipzig, this cantata is based on the chorale by the same name. It's English title is "If You But Trust In God to Guide You" and is hymn no. 769 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (the hymnal of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).

Soloists are Jane Kilby (soprano), Emily Madigan (alto), William Adams (tenor) and Frank Starbuck (bass).

There is no charge, but an offering will be taken and a reception will follow. This service is in conjunction with the celebration of St. Mark's 70th anniversary! Please come and bring a friend!

Interview With A Choir Member

2008-10-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

Note: This article appeared in the October "The Messenger." It appears here with Margaret's permission.

Nearly everybody at St. Mark’s knows and loves Margaret W. who has been singing in the choir since some time in the 1950’s. Margaret’s oldest son sang in a boy’s choir under the direction of Hugh Alderman. She found herself sitting next to Mr. Alderman once when it came time to sing a hymn and, from that time on she says, he was “on my case to join the choir.”

Finally, there was a Sunday when there were only a couple of sopranos in the choir and Margaret decided they needed help. . .and she’s been in the choir ever since.

Margaret is a native of Jacksonville and received musical training under Andre Thomas and Robert Shaw when she lived in Tallahassee. Singing with Robert Shaw required four rigorous auditions and she fondly remembers annual concerts featuring requiems by the old masters. She also studied applied voice at Jacksonville University.

Margaret’s husband, Arthur G., died in 1971. Since their sons were both in college, Margaret stopped her studies and worked hard to help them finish theirs. She admits she should have returned to college, but never did.

Margaret, now in her eighties, has considered dropping out of the choir, but people in the congregation (and those sitting next to her in the choir loft!) have told her how much they would miss her - so she keeps on singing. I know we would miss Margaret’s contribution terribly if she stopped singing with us. An excellent reader who is always right on pitch, she is one of our leaders – and she’s just a fun person to be around!

When I asked Margaret if I could do an article about our conversation for The Messenger, she said yes, but added, “I wasn’t ever anything special. I just worked and did what I was called to do.”

That sounds pretty special to me.

Blessing of the Animals for St. Francis Day

2008-10-17T06:56:00.001-07:00

Holly, a 2-year-old Boxer, was part of the menagerie in the St. Mark's courtyard for the Blessing of the Animals service as part of the St. Francis' Day Holy Communion Service. Holly brought her humans (Ruth and Sterling C.) as well. Music was provided by the Behind the Pulpit Ensemble under the direction of Roger Feingold, Associate Music Director.

St. Francis was born into a wealthy family, but gave up his inheritance in order to serve the poor. He founded an order known as the Franciscans, charging them to preach the gospel "using words, if necessary." Francis loved God's creation as evidenced in his hymn "All Creatures of Our God and King." (Evangelical Lutheran Worship #835)

Some legends about St. Francis claim that he preached to animals, encouraging them to worship and praise God according to their nature. After these sermons, he would make the sign of the cross over them and send them on their way.

Holly would like to thank Pastor Dow, Pastor Peacock, and the people of St. Mark's for acknowledging and honoring her part in God's creation.

AGO Hymn Festival at St. Mark's on Sunday, Sept. 28th

2008-09-27T19:17:00.001-07:00

The Jacksonville chapter of the American Guild of Organists will host a hymn festival at St. Mark's on 9/28/08 at 7:00 p.m. The festival, titled "Water Music: A Hymn Festival for the River City" will feature improvisations by Andrew Clarke of Riverside Presbyterian Church and congregational hymns accompanied by organists from the local area who are also members of the chapter.

Some of the hymns are "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Nettleton)," " Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Melita)," " Shall We Gather at the River (Hanson Place) and, "Baptized in Water (Bunessan)". There is no charge, but an offering will be taken for the work of the chapter.

A reception will follow in Hart Hall. Come sing with us! These hymns are old favorites that everyone will enjoy!

2008-09-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

Bach Vespers November 9, 2008

This is an invitation to join with the choir of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church in singing a Bach Vespers service. This event coincides with the 70th anniversary of St. Mark's. We will be singing cantata no. 93, "Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott Lasst Walten." (Sorry, no umlauts available!)

Rehearsals will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Oct. 11, Oct. 25, and Nov. 1. The dress rehearsal with orchestra will be Monday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. The vespers service will be Sunday evening, November 9th, at 6:00 p.m.

If you are interested in singing this music by one of the church's greatest composers, please contact Tony Cruz at vespers@comcast.net.

St. Mark's Welcomes Associate Pastor, Reverend Alan Wesley Peacock

2008-07-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

On July 20, 2008 the people of St. Mark's welcomed to its ministry Alan Wesley Peacock who was ordained by The Reverend Edward R. Benoway, Bisohp of the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Hymns were sung as "Alan" became "Pastor Alan Peacock" and the entire mood of the service was joyfully upbeat. The Reverend Richard Dow, Sr. Pastor at St. Mark's, delivered the sermon. Surrounded by other Pastors of the ELCA, family, friends, and an excited congregation, Pastor Peacock began his ministry among us.

Pastor Peacock was Vicar at Shepherd of the Woods and many people from that congregation (including Pastor Johnson and Pastor Iverson) were in attendance. Several members of the SOTW choir joined members of the St. Mark's Festival Choir in singning "Offertory" by John Ness Beck.

Welcome to St. Mark's Pastor Peacock!

St. Mark's: http://www.stmarksjax.org/
The Florida-Bahamas Synod: http://www.fbsynod.com/
Photo by Bill Daugherty

ALCM Region 2 Conference in Savannah

2008-07-23T07:10:00.001-07:00

Savannah, Georgia was the site for the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Region 2 biennial conference. Our host church, established in 1741, was the historic Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension on Wright Square (pictured above) where Edie Hockspeier, A.I.M, is the Director of Music. Southern Hospitality was all around us. . .even though Edie is really a farm girl from Iowa. People from the congregation were also on hand to assist. Ascension was the site of worship services built around the theme "Hungry. . .Fed. . .Satisfied," plenary sessions, and workshops regarding a variety of topics. I attended workshops on the Psalms, Children's Voices, Organ Repertoire, and others. The sessions I attended were all carefully planned and helpful.

One highlight of the conference was an organ recital by Bruce Neswick at Independent Presbyterian Church. His workshop on Children's Choirs at St. John's Episcopal Church was also worth attending. (Thanks to the choristers from St. John's who acted as a demonstration choir!)

There was lots of good food in Savannah and plenty to see. On Tuesday night there was a riverboat dinner cruise complete with dolphins swimming in the river.

The officers of ALCM Region 2 are: Donald L. Armitage, President; David Rhyne, Vice-President; Kevin Barger, Secretary/Treasurer. Along with Edie Hockspeier, they did an incredible job of planning this conference. All of the venues were within walking distance and we had time to enjoy a bit of the city while we were learning. The attention to detail was evident. Thanks to all of these persons for an inspiring, educational three days!

For information on the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, a pan-Lutheran orgainization, please visit www.alcm.org.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension's website is: www.elcota.org.
For a great source of information on Bruce Neswick see: http://www.concertartists.com/BN.html

Information (including great photos of their organ) about Independent Presbyterian Church is available at: www.ipcsav.org.

ALCM Savannah: Compline at Christ Church

2008-07-22T19:35:00.001-07:00

Recently the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Region 2, held its biennial regional conference in Savannah. The first event on our calendar was Compline at Christ Church (Episcopal) which dates from the 1700's. Compline is the last service of the daily offices at about 9:00 p.m. Pictured is the church, but also a poster that sits outside the church announcing the service of Compline. In the Episcopal service of Compline, the congregation's particpation is "inward" rather than outward. Still, the service is not a performance but ". . .it is a transformance of the individual worshipper."

About an hour before the service, persons from the church walk through Savannah's historic squares and invite the people they meet, many of them tourists, to prayer by handing them a post card sized version of the poster below.

The prayers, psalms and hymns are sung by the choir while the congregation follows the service in darkness, save for the light of a few candles. At Christ Church, this ecumenical choir of musicians and choir directors from are churches is under the expert direction of Mark K. Williams, Parish Musician. If you find yourself in Savannah on a Sunday evening, I encourage you to see if the service is being held and then to attend. I promise that you'll be glad you did.

AGO Sunday and Introduction

2008-07-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, my first national AGO (American Guild of Organists) biennial convention! The convention is 5 days packed with organ concerts and education. The site for this year's convention was Minneapolis, Minnesota. When I registered for the convention a couple of months ago, I had to make selections for concerts and workshops. There was a huge amount of events to choose from and there was no way to see and hear everything. So I did the best I could. Following is a list of some of the events I attended and some photos that I took. I hope you enjoy reading about the convention.

Sunday afternoon was spent at St. Paul's Lake of the Isles Episcopal Church in Minneapolis listening to the Rising Star Recitals. These performers are all 22-32 years of age and we heard a total of seven concerts. That may sound like a lot, but each program was about 20 minutes long and we had 5 - 10 minutes between each program to stand and stretch. These young organists were all amazing and have bright futures as concert artists if that's what they want to do! Several of them played pieces I had never heard before including Anton Heiler's Tanz Tocatta played by Keenan Boswell. (I don't remember it now, but in my program I wrote "perhaps the coolest piece of organ music ever!) Marshall Cuffe played Emma Lou Diemmer's I Danced in the Morning and Brent J. Stamey played Petr Eben's Hommage a Buxtehude. The other artists were Jonathan Hehn, Raymond Nagem, Adam Piethmann, and Kirk Rich.

The evening event was our opening worship service at Central Lutheran Church just a short walk from the hotel. Before worship, we heard a carillon concert by David Johnson. The service included the premiere of Steven Stucky's The Kingdom of God (In no strange land) for organ and choir. The choir was made up of several Twin-Cities local choirs. There were more than 1,800 church musicians in attendance, so you can imagine what the singing was like! What a way to start a convention!!
Photo: St. Paul's Lake of the Isles Episcopal Church

AGO Monday

2008-07-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

Monday started out the Basilica of St. Mary for a concert on the 1949 Wicks organ by Elke Voelker. Before I talk about the concert, let me talk about the space. It is immense and ornately decorated with incredible stained-glass windows. It's like being in a huge cavern - and it sounds like it too. Before her concert, Ms. Voelker tested the organ for the recording equipment by playing one chord. When she released that chord, it rolled to the back of the church and could still be heard a full five seconds after the release. Ms. Voelker specializes in the organ music of Sigrfrid Karg-Elert, but she played her Wagner transcription and Bach pieces with equal flourish. There were points that the acoustics worked against her. I could see her fingers working in spots that I couldn't hear notes being sounded - they were getting lost in that immense cave. The concert was amazing. If you are ever in Minneapolis and have an opportunity to see this church, you must go!

The next concert was at St. Olaf Catholic church and was played by Stepen Tharp. The organ, a 2001 instrument built by Lively-Fulcher, was well suited to the works of Widor, Jean Demessieux, and Messiaen. It was a very enjoyable concert.

Also at St. Olaf was an Eastern Orthodox Vespers service. (I know, it was only 11:30 am, but when you're at a convention, you have to make allowances for this kind of thing .) The service was sung by the Rose Ensemble and opened with a piece composed especially for the convention by Cary John Franklin, a Minnesota-based composer. As I write this, my program has been misplaced so I can't give you the title, but it was piece for organ and C-instument that was well-suited to opening worship.

Next, the exhibit hall was opened so it was time to go shopping for organ music! Augsburg Fortress and Concordia Publishing were both happy to see me coming. . .

St. Paul's Roman Catholic Cathedral was the site for the evening event: Evensong sung by the St. Paul's Cathedral Choir from London, England! For me, this was like dying and going to heaven. The space is immense and more than accomodated all 1,800 of the AGO attendees. The public was also able to buy tickets to the event. Superlatives can't define the exquisite music-making of this choir. If you ever have a chance to hear them (they did come to Jax once several years ago), then you must go.
Top: St. Paul's Roman Catholic Cathedral Bottom: St. Olaf Catholic Church

AGO Tuesday

2008-07-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

The morning started with a continuation of the Rising Star Recitals at Jehovah Lutheran Church on the 1983 Van Daalen organ. Noah Wynne-Morton, a junior at the Julliard School, played a Bach Prelude and Fugue, then a piece titled Hommage a Igor Stravinsky by Naji Hakim (born 1955). Wynne-Morton was followed by Andrew Yeargin of Raleigh, NC who is studying for his master's degree at the Manhattan School of Music. He chose the famous Bach Prelude and Fugue in D Minor, then a piece I'd never heard by Ad Wammes (born 1953) and titled Miroir which was very cool! His program rounded out with W. A. Mozart's Fantasy in F Minor.

After the Rising Star Recitals I was off to Bethel University for a concerto program performed by James Diaz and Stephen Cleobury. It's always exciting to hear the organ played with an orchestra. My favorite piece was Grand Concerto No. 3 played by Diaz and composed by Stephen Paulus, AGO's composer of the year - but the entire concert was amazing!

The next stop was Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, MN. A church with very modern architecture, the organ was built in 1927 by Casavant and then expanded by Schantz in 2001. John Weaver played a short concert including his own Partita on Kingsfold which I enjoyed very much. (Kingsfold is one of my favorite tunes - in fact, we're singing it Sunday!)

The next performer was Cameron Carpenter who has been called "the ultimate maverick of the U.S. organ community." (I borrow from the author Anne Rice and think of him as the "brat-prince of organists.) His playing is simply amazing. John Weaver, one of his teachers, said that Carpenter is a prodigy such as has not been seen since the time of Mozart. He is incredible. If you ever have a minute then just google him and watch some of the YouTube videos. You will be amazed!! I promise. His rendition of Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D Minor is shocking to many organists, but I've heard it played the "right way" so many times that Carpenter's version was incredibly entertaining and I loved every second of it. If you are ever anyplace that Cameron Carpenter is playing a concert, GO. . .and take the family!!

That afternoon I attended a workshop on AGO certification.

The evening event was a concert of music by Olivier Messiaen - and there was not a single organ piece on the program! I don't think I've ever heard any non-organ Messiaen music so this was an enjoyable and educational experience. My favorite was the selections from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jesus/Twenty Glances on the Child Jesus. This is a work for piano and was played by Lydia Artymiw, a leading piano recitatlist of international fame. We also heard Fete des belles for Six Ondes Martenot. The Martenot is a unique instrument that somehow changes electricity into sound. It can only play one note at a time, so any harmony or polyphony requires more than one instrument. The instument had a unique quality and, although the piece was interesting and well-played, it was a little esoteric and long for my taste. (Perhaps the fact that it was nearly 10:00 pm when it started was a factor.) Still, it was a unique offering and I'm glad I had the chance to hear it.

Top photo: St. Paul's Roman Catholic Cathedral Bottom: St. Andrew's Lutheran Church

AGO Wednesday

2008-07-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

Wednesday started the way every day should start - with a service of Matins (Morning Prayer) sung by the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral all the way from London, England. It was a service of organ and choral music with works by Howells, Bairstow, Vaughn Williams, Walton, Elgar and others. The service was held at the Basilica of St. Mary whose acoustics (already discussed) were extremely favorable to English choral music.

The next event was at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church on its 1979 Sipe organ. This was an enjoyable concert by Todd Wilson who is head of the organ department at The Cleveland Institute of Music, with my favorite piece being one for organ and french horn - Calvin Hampton's Variations on Amazing Grace. The french horn was played by Merilee Kemp.

Then we were off to St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral where we heard perhaps my favorite concert of the week. The original organ was built by Welte (1928) then added to by Moller (1964) and Gould and Sons (1976, 1983). This is an organ whose low tones reverberate in your very soul! The concert was played by Peter Sykes with assistance from Victoria Wagner. They played selections from a transcription of Gustav Holst's The Planets. This piece is generally played by one organist in a normal layout but at some points an additional organist is needed to play one line. In Neptune "at one moment all four manuals and pedal, with four hands, two feet, and even a pencil holding a long note" is required. This was an incredible concert, but it ran a little long so I missed the workshop that afternoon. . . .IT WAS WORTH IT!!

The next event was the annual meeting at which election results were given. Eileen Guenther, DMA became the new president and John Walker, FAGO, DMA became the new vice president.

Finally, that evening we boarded the bus for Wooddale Presbyterian Church where we participated in a recording of Pipe Dreams, the radio show of organ music that is hosted by Michael Barone. The concert had a great deal of variety with many well-known organists but two that I'd never heard of before: Barbara Dennerlein wowed all of us with her jazz improvisation (truly, incredible!) and Isabelle Demers amazed us with Stephen Paulus' As If The Whole Creation Cried, from Triptych. We also heard Ken Cowan, Aaron David Miller, Scott Montgomery, Douglas Reed, Herndon Spillman, and Calvn Taylor. I was really exhausted that night and came very close to skipping this event. . .but I'm sooooo glad I went.

Top Left: The organ at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church Middle: The facade of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral (The organ pipes were mostly not visible.)

Bottom: The organ at Wooddale Presbyterian Church

AGO Thursday: Daily Activities

2008-07-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

Today I heard two concerts. The first concert was performed at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in St. Paul, MN where Jeremy Filsell, principal organist of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in our nation's capitol, played a newly-installed (2007) Casavant organ. From his program of Rachmaninoff and Dupre, I most enjoyed the Trois Hymnes of Dupre.

Following that was a concert by Stewart Wayne Foster at Augustana Lutheran Church. The organ there was built by Glatter-Gotz and later work was done by Rosales (a builder whose work I much admire!). We heard a varied program of Bach, Buxtehude, Karg-Elert, and others. I particularly enjoyed Brian Sawyers' Rising Sun and selectons from Karg-Elert's Seven Pastels from the Lake of Constance. From the latter, I shall look for a recording of The Sun's Evensong which, to my ears, had lots of jazz influence.

Also on this day I attended a seminar about Scandinavian Organ Music and the regional divisions had their meetings.

Top photo: The organ at Augustana Lutheran Church
Bottom: The organ at Natvity of Our Lord Catholic Church.

AGO Thursday: Closing Concert

2008-07-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

The closing concert was an incredible experience. It included music by Messiaen, Stephen Paulus ("Pilgrim's Hymn" from the opera The Three Hermits), and John Taverner. The crowing work, however, was the U.S. Premiere of Te Deum by German composer Siegfried Matthus (born 1934). An epic work of praise, war, re-building, and finally again, praise, it was written to celebrate the reopening of Dresden's Frauenkirche which was destroyed by Allied Forces during WW II. The work featured soloists, the Minnesota Boys Choir, an orchestra, and an SATB choir (at least 200 voices strong) all under the direction of Phillip Brunelle. If you ever get a chance to hear this work, do not miss it. It will make you weep. It was an incredible way to finish a week of great concerts and education!

Picture: St. Paul's Roman Catholic Cathedral, site of the closing concert.

Come Sing In Our Summer Choir!

2008-06-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

Summer is here so the usual choral, bell, and instrumental rehearsals are on hiatus. If you love to sing, you are invited to join us any Sunday in our Summer Choir. The summer choir meets at 10:30 on Sunday mornings in the music suite where we rehearse hymns for the day and learn a musical offering that can be put together quickly (usually 2-part or unison singing). All singers are welcome! Feel free to bring a friend!

Today's News

2008-05-13T04:12:00.000-07:00

Today's news: cyclone in Myanmawr, tornadoes in the heartland, fires in Florida, and an earthquake in China. Did anyone else place all of this in context of last Sunday's (Pentecost) sending hymn? It was #400 and addresses "God of tempest, God of whirlwind. . .God of blazing. . .God of earthquake. . ." I'm not saying God was in these natural disasters. I know there are those who view natural disasters as God's punishment on individuals. (I think if God wants to take a person or a few people out, his aim could be a lot better than a cyclone that wipes out tens of thousands or a tornado that is a mile wide.)

You're probably asking, "Okay Tony, so does this hymn have anything to do with the natural disasters?" I think it does. Look at the last stanza. We often expect God to do something to help those in harm's way, but this hymn calls on God to "stir in US loves restlessness! Where the people cry in anguish (Myanmawr, Oklahoma, China), may we share your heart's distress. Rouse us from content with evil; claim us for your kingdom's work."

Let us pray for those who have been in the path of these disasters, and let us pray for those who now lead the efforts of rescue and relief. Even the non-Christians among them, though perhaps unwittingly, are doing the kingdom's work.

"God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind" is a text by Herman G. Steumpfle, b. 1923. The copyright is held by GIA Publications, Inc.

Scandinavian Vespers on May 4th at 6:00 p.m.

2008-05-02T07:27:00.001-07:00

My Grandfather, Ellef Johannes Everson, was confirmed at Bad Axe Lutheran Church in Vernon County, Wisconsin in 1924 by the Reverend O.J. Nesheim (bottom photo). His father was John Everson and John's father was Jens Iverson (James Everson) who came to Wisconsin with his parents and sisters in the 1860's. They were one of the families that helped to build the church at Bad Axe. (The other picture is from my own confirmation at the same church, about 52 years later.) When Norwegians, Swedes, Danes, and Finns came to America they brought their musically-rich religious heritage with them. We'll be celebrating the music of these peoples as part of a vespers service. There will be Scandinavian hymns and handbell and choral music by Scandinavian and Scandinavian-American composers. A reception will follow. (I don't want to give away any surprises, but my krumkake griddle is warming up. . .) Musical selections will include Finlandia (Be Still, My Soul), Thy Holy Wings, and How Great Thou Art. I hope to see you there! By the way, Grandpa Ellef is in the middle row, third from the left.

Kingdom Choir Goes to Choristers Guild Festival

2008-04-30T06:20:00.001-07:00

Last weekend our Kingdom Choir went to Lake Wales for the annual Choristers Guild Festival. We worked hard to learn and memorize several songs for this event. At the Festival, we learned under nationally-known childrens choir director Kathy Evans and performed in a concert with about 126 singers from across the state of Florida. We went down on Friday night, spent the night in a hotel, then spent nearly a full day learning about music. Other classes that were offered included Orff, Drumming, Drama, Puppets, and Dance.

The event was held at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales, which is just south of Orlando. You can expect to hear our festival pieces in church soon!

Top: Combined Choirs from across the state of Florida

Middle: Our families came too!

Bottom: back row-Amelia, Sarah; front row-Nolan, Becca, Jordan

Archiglas in Concert on April 18th at 7:00 p.m.

2008-04-15T11:21:00.001-07:00

This is one concert you will not want to miss!

Last year Archiglas wowed us with their renderings of Russian sacred and folk music. There is no reason to think this year will be any different.

Dmitry Vorobjev is the music director. He and all of the other singers are professional musicians from St. Petersburg, Russia. They are traveling a long way to share their music with us.

Please invite friends and family. They will thank you for inviting them!

The concert is free and all are welcome. An offering will be taken to express appreciation to Archiglas. A reception will follow in Hart Hall.

Festival Choir Revised Schedule

2008-04-10T17:16:00.001-07:00

Click on the schedule for a larger view.

Scandinavian Vespers on May 4th at 6:00 p.m.

2008-04-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church will be the site for a Lutheran Vespers service featuring music by Scandinavian and Scandinavian-American composers. When immigrants from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland began coming to America, they brought their musically-rich religious tradition with them. The service will feature Scandinavian hymns (sung in English!), choral music by composers such as Grieg and Christiansen, and handbell arrangements of music by Scandinavian composers.

If you have a bunad or national costume from either of these countries, we encourage you to wear it!

The service will be on May 4th at 6:00 p.m. and all are welcome! St. Mark's is located at 3976 Hendricks Avenue in Jacksonville. An offering will be taken and a reception will follow. For further information, contact Tony Cruz at 742-5136 or vespers@comcast.net.

Archiglas In Concert on April 18th at 7:00 p.m.

2008-04-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

Archiglas, an a capella vocal ensemble under the direction of Dmitry Vorobjev, returns to St. Mark's on Friday, April 18th at 7:00 p.m. in another concert of Russian sacred and folk music. Last year's concert was a memorable event and we are looking forward to hearing them again.

The concert is free and all are welcome. An offering will be taken and a reception will follow. Invite your friends and family!

Orange Park Chorale Returns April 12th at 7:30 p.m.

2008-04-07T17:41:00.000-07:00

The Orange Park Chorale returns to St. Mark's on April 12th at 7:30 p.m. in a free concert titled "Soiree with Schubert and Sondheim." Under the direction of Dr. Carole Clifford, Artistic Director, the group is a "performance and education organization for the promotion of choral arts in Clay County and the surrounding Northeast Florida area." They are truly one of the area's finest choirs. All are welcome! (An offering will be taken.) Visit their web site at www.orangeparkchorale.com.

Some Nice Pictures

2008-03-18T02:48:00.000-07:00

At left, the afternoon sun shines through the window in Hart Hall. It's a funny picture because it isn't just the sun. Recently we had hamburgers as part of the Wednesdays Together meal and smoke had drifted into Hart Hall through Luther Hall. I couldn't resist the photo op. At right, stained-glass windows are perfectly reflected in the Yamaha piano in the nave. These are just some random photos (taken last week) that I thought people might enjoy.

Power Of Music: "Trio on Trio" Photos

2008-03-18T02:42:00.000-07:00

The final concert was a rousing success! At left, Marianne Murray prepares for the concert. In the other photo, left to right: Aaron Brask, Lynne Radcliffe, Marianne Murray, Max Huls. The Brahms Horn Trio was everything that was promised! St. Mark's appreciates the opportunity to provide this concert series with the Jacksonville Symphony Association. Special thanks to Lynne Radcliffe for the programming!

Power Of Music: "Trio on Trio"

2008-03-07T09:21:00.000-08:00

Sunday, March 9, 3:00 p.m. (Note time change!)

The final program of the series features each of the three composers, ending with the famous Brahms trio for Violin, Horn and Piano. JSO violinist Max Huls, JSO hornist Aaron Brask and pianist Lynne Radcliffe will perform this powerful work of broad scope, eventually ascending to the heights of the human spirit with a triumphant finish.

Admission is free. An offering will be taken.

Many, many thanks to all of our performers and especially to Lynne Radcliffe for her excellent taste in programming!

Thanks also to the Jacksonville Symphony Association, Lynne Radcliffe and Laura Dwyer, and to the people of St. Mark's for providing refreshments.

Reminder: Time To Set Your Clocks!

2008-03-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

Don't let this happen to you!
Last year Sandbakkelse and Strudel (pictured) forgot to set their clocks and did not get up in time to go to church. Their response? "Oh well, it's not like we were going anyway."

This is a friendly reminder to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to sleep on Saturday night!

Hymn of the Day March 9, 2008

2008-03-07T08:50:00.001-08:00

The Hymn of the Day this Sunday is "Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart," number 170 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship. The text is by Martin Schalling who was a favorite pupil of Phillip Melanchthon, the well-known friend and defender of Martin Luther. It's sung regularly in many Lutheran churches, but perhaps not at St. Mark's. Here is a link to the cyberhymnal which you should be able to open to get a preview of the tune:http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/t/i/ltilwamh.htm. Also, here is a link to a brief biography of Martin Schalling: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Schalling.htm. This is a German tune (not quite through-composed since one of the musical phrases does repeat) and typically longer than many protestant hymns. The text, translated from the German by Catherine Winkworth, culminates in the last verse with the author dying, sleeping peacefully, and then awakening to see Jesus. Hmmm. Sounds like our lenten journey and our life journey have something in common.

Please let me know if you found this information useful!

Also this Sunday, Ellen Olson, St. Mark's member and JSO violist, will play "Were You There?" and Rev. Dale Gatz is scheduled to preach.
In the photo: Spring has come to the courtyard of St. Mark's. This Sunday, be sure to take a moment and enjoy the beauty of our garden! Then thank Rusty Snyder for maintaining the grounds and Marvin "Red" Brown for maintaining the fountain.

Great Music Heard at St. Mark's: Power - Madness - Virtuosity

2008-02-26T18:01:00.001-08:00

Clara Schumann would have been happy to hear her music as it was performed last Sunday afternoon by the outstanding musicians above! Left to Right: Betsy Federman, Mary McKee, Melissa Pierson-Barrett and Lynne Radcliffe. Please plan to join us for the final concert in this series on March 9, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. (Please note the time change!) Thank you to these excellent musicians for a concert full of power and virtuosity. . .and, thankfully, very little madness!

Lutheridge Handbell Retreat

2008-02-18T15:35:00.000-08:00

About fifteen of our handbell ringers attended the Lutheridge Handbell Retreat February 15 - 17 at Lutheridge in Arden, NC. We left early on Friday morning, realizing at the last minute that we had room for all of the people and our bells. . .but not enough room for luggage! Jane K. agreed to drive so we departed Jacksonville in three vehicles: the van driven by Larry T., an Escalade driven by Loree M., and the SUV driven by Jane. The next couple of days would hold great meals and fellowship together, nearly nine hours of intense rehearsal under our clinician Ed Tompkins, a Pictionary marathon, hastily rearranged sleeping arrangements (segrating those who snore from those who do not), and a final concert on Sunday morning after worship.

My thanks to Larry T. for making travel arrangements and leading rehearsals to help us prepare the music in advance. Thank you to the drivers and thank you to all who attended. It was nice to go away for the weekend and get to know each of you a little better. Several of you commented that previous directors never went to Lutheridge for the handbell retreat. All I can say is that they don't know what they were missing. Well, that and. . .when can we go again?

The Power of Music Chamber Music Series, Part II, Feb. 24th at 5:00 PM

2008-02-18T15:26:00.000-08:00

"Performer as Composer"
In an era when women were not expected to compose, Clara Schumann, world - famous performing pianist, wife of Robert, and mother of seven children, miraculously found the time and inspiration to create worthy compositions. JSO Associate Concertmaster Melissa Pierson - Barrett, JSO cellist Betsy Federman, and pianist Mary McKee will perform Clara Schumann's Piano Trio in G minor. The program will also include miscellaneous miniatures of Clara Schumann.

The concert is free and all are welcome.
An offering will be taken.

Ellen Olson and Ruxandra Marquardt in Concert Feb. 26 at 7:30 PM

2008-02-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

Ellen Olson sent me this announcement about an upcoming concerts. Ellen is a member of St. Mark's and it would be well worth your time to attend this event!

Battle Hymn of the Republic and a Prayer

2008-02-08T05:26:00.000-08:00

Sue A. sent me a link to a wonderful rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic done by an elementary school choir, high school choirs and a band. If you can, open a link in another window then return here to read the prayer (page 77 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship):

http://www.trdaniel.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm

Almighty God, we commend to your care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad, especially: Nick W., Chris R., Andrew C., Chris C., Chaplain Kay R., Jonathan V., Caleb W., Dr. Marc B., Loree L., and Brandon V. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils that surround them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

The photo is of the United States of America flag that flies over the U.S.S. Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The Power of Music Returns! First Concert February 10th at 5 PM

2008-02-01T06:10:00.001-08:00

Passion - Madness - Virtuosity
Descent to Despair
The series opens with baritone David Scheininger singing Robert Schumann's song cycle, Dichterliebe, (A Poet's Love) based on the poems of Heinrich Heine. The cycle begins joyfully and spirals downward, encapsulating the wide range of emotions expressed by the Romantics. This program includes commentary by JSA Music Education Program Managers Laura Dwyer and Lynne Radcliffe, as well as the first movement of Brahms' Sonata No. 1 for Flute and Piano in F minor (originally written for clarinet and piano) performed by Dwyer and Radcliffe.

All are invited. In lieu of an admission charge, a free-will offering will be taken.

If you would like to receive information about the other concerts in this series (Feb. 24th, March 10th), please send me your e-mail address!