September Music Ministry Notes
August 29, 2010 10:51
| las voces del camino
| Permalink
This morning I did a big experiment with the music -- we sang all the songs in Spanish.
Several factors combined to make this the right time to do this I experiment:
By talking to several folks after the service, it seems we hit the mark on making people feel uncomfortable by using the non-dominant language. Luckily, no one was angry that I made them feel uncomfortable, but they appreciated the experience and have a new understanding of what it's like for the many people who aren't fluent in our dominant language.
One interesting observation -- the congregation actually sang LOUDER in Spanish than in English. I surmised that because they had to concentrate so hard to sing in Spanish, they were more engaged in their singing and belted it out more. A nice side effect!
I very well may bring back a song or two from the new Spanish songbook occasionally, just to keep things fresh and to add that bit of challenge to our singing.
If any of you are interested in purchasing your own copy of the songbook Las Voces del Camino, you can order it on Sunday morning from our own church bookstore. Or you can order directly from the UUA Bookstore for $18 here.
And if you were at the service on August 29, 2010, I'm very open to hearing your thoughts and feelings about singing and listening to all the songs in Spanish.
Musically yours,
Beth Syverson
Several factors combined to make this the right time to do this I experiment:
- In July, I received a copy of the new Spanish-language hymnal supplement Las Voces del Camino that the UUA just published. There are some really wonderful new songs in that book, along with translations of songs we already know from our other two hymnals. As soon as I browsed through it, I knew I wanted to try some songs out at church.
- Karen's sermon this Sunday was about her experience at the Standing on the Side of Love rally in Phoenix last month, protesting Arizona Senate Bill 1070, which targets Mexican immigrants in their unfair "show your papers" law.
- I thought it would be interesting to let our congregation, which includes very few people who are fluent in Spanish, feel what it's like to be the non-dominant culture - at least for an hour. By using an unfamiliar language for our songs, we felt what it's like to be a little lost, a little confused, a little uncomfortable.
By talking to several folks after the service, it seems we hit the mark on making people feel uncomfortable by using the non-dominant language. Luckily, no one was angry that I made them feel uncomfortable, but they appreciated the experience and have a new understanding of what it's like for the many people who aren't fluent in our dominant language.
One interesting observation -- the congregation actually sang LOUDER in Spanish than in English. I surmised that because they had to concentrate so hard to sing in Spanish, they were more engaged in their singing and belted it out more. A nice side effect!
I very well may bring back a song or two from the new Spanish songbook occasionally, just to keep things fresh and to add that bit of challenge to our singing.
If any of you are interested in purchasing your own copy of the songbook Las Voces del Camino, you can order it on Sunday morning from our own church bookstore. Or you can order directly from the UUA Bookstore for $18 here.
And if you were at the service on August 29, 2010, I'm very open to hearing your thoughts and feelings about singing and listening to all the songs in Spanish.
Musically yours,
Beth Syverson
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UU Musicians Network Conference in Madison, WI, July 14-18
I am lucky that the church supports me attending the annual UU Musicians Network (UUMN) conference every July. This year the conference was held in Madison, WI, at the First Unitarian Society (the Frank Lloyd Wright/new Gold LEED Certified building). I stayed with Richard and Lynn Scoby (OCUUC folks who transplanted to Madison a few years ago) and enjoyed their company, their beautiful home and HUGE property, and their tireless efforts as conference volunteers.
I was involved in several ways at this conference. I mentored another local music director, Rebecca Berland from the Anaheim church, and introduced her to all the people I know. At the first workshop, I led a session called "New to UU / New to UUMN" with a few of the other recently-credentialed Music Leaders. I organized and hosted two noontime recitals, at which many talented UUMN members performed a wide variety of music. All the past, current, and brand new credentialing candidates dined together at an Italian restaurant. There are now about 20 of us -- 7 in the first class (mine), 2 in the second class which just graduated, 4 in the next class, and 6 in the brand new class. We had a rollicking time at the restaurant, and the kitchen help all came out when we started singing a silly song together. We sang the same song in the variety show that night.
I was one of the conductors in a master class taught by our choral clinician Stephan Alltop, whom we all LOVED. He was very helpful to me, though it was a bit intimidating conducting in front of him AND 50 of my colleagues!
In addition to all these responsibilities, I also enjoyed our choral reading sessions, where we sightread about 50 new pieces of choral music together as a group (250 conference attendees). We also prepared 4 songs for the Sunday morning service, led by Stephen Alltop. Wouldn't it be great to have a 250-member choir sing at our church service someday?? Singing in this group is always one of the highlights of the conferences for me. I love being enveloped in sound and performing at a high level with other music directors.
I attended some wonderful concerts. One was a new large work about liberal religion by Elizabeth Alexander called "Go Out!," the centerpiece of which is a song about John Murray -- "Give them not Hell, but hope and courage." Then I went to a lecture/performance by Fred Onovwerosuoke, an expert in African music. And Saturday night was a lovely evening of Kirtan music (meditative, repetitive, call-and-response music from the Hindu tradition), which put me in a blissful state of mind and heart.
In between all that, I enjoyed socializing (Should I call it networking? No, it was socializing) with the wonderful musicians I've met from all over the continent through attending these conferences for the last 6 years. We see each other just once a year, but we instantly connect again like we've never been away. People who share the same type of job in a UU church have lots of things in common, I suppose.
This was the best of the 6 conferences I've been to (and that's not just because I'm on the national conference planning committee that organized this one!) Thank you very much for supporting this avenue of professional growth for me! I hope you can see by this list of activities that I brought back lots of new information and inspiration to OCUUC!
Musically yours,
Beth
I was involved in several ways at this conference. I mentored another local music director, Rebecca Berland from the Anaheim church, and introduced her to all the people I know. At the first workshop, I led a session called "New to UU / New to UUMN" with a few of the other recently-credentialed Music Leaders. I organized and hosted two noontime recitals, at which many talented UUMN members performed a wide variety of music. All the past, current, and brand new credentialing candidates dined together at an Italian restaurant. There are now about 20 of us -- 7 in the first class (mine), 2 in the second class which just graduated, 4 in the next class, and 6 in the brand new class. We had a rollicking time at the restaurant, and the kitchen help all came out when we started singing a silly song together. We sang the same song in the variety show that night.
I was one of the conductors in a master class taught by our choral clinician Stephan Alltop, whom we all LOVED. He was very helpful to me, though it was a bit intimidating conducting in front of him AND 50 of my colleagues!
In addition to all these responsibilities, I also enjoyed our choral reading sessions, where we sightread about 50 new pieces of choral music together as a group (250 conference attendees). We also prepared 4 songs for the Sunday morning service, led by Stephen Alltop. Wouldn't it be great to have a 250-member choir sing at our church service someday?? Singing in this group is always one of the highlights of the conferences for me. I love being enveloped in sound and performing at a high level with other music directors.
I attended some wonderful concerts. One was a new large work about liberal religion by Elizabeth Alexander called "Go Out!," the centerpiece of which is a song about John Murray -- "Give them not Hell, but hope and courage." Then I went to a lecture/performance by Fred Onovwerosuoke, an expert in African music. And Saturday night was a lovely evening of Kirtan music (meditative, repetitive, call-and-response music from the Hindu tradition), which put me in a blissful state of mind and heart.
In between all that, I enjoyed socializing (Should I call it networking? No, it was socializing) with the wonderful musicians I've met from all over the continent through attending these conferences for the last 6 years. We see each other just once a year, but we instantly connect again like we've never been away. People who share the same type of job in a UU church have lots of things in common, I suppose.
This was the best of the 6 conferences I've been to (and that's not just because I'm on the national conference planning committee that organized this one!) Thank you very much for supporting this avenue of professional growth for me! I hope you can see by this list of activities that I brought back lots of new information and inspiration to OCUUC!
Musically yours,
Beth
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Beth at General Assembly
As many of you know, last week I participated in General Assembly (the UUA's national conference) in Minneapolis. I was the music director for a worship service in front of 2,000+ people. I chose the music, directed the choir, led the congregational songs with a rhythm section, and played the piano on a few pieces. The choir was made up of about 50 ministers from around the country who join together each year to sing at this service.
I wanted to share the video from the event in case you missed the live streaming --
http://uua.org/events/generalassembly/2010/ga2010/165854.shtml
So you don't have to watch the whole thing (including several lists of many names), here are the times in the video where the music occurs:
Musically yours,
Beth Syverson
Director of Music Ministries
(949) 829-1752
musicdirector@ocuuc.org
www.ocuuc.org/musicministry.html
I wanted to share the video from the event in case you missed the live streaming --
http://uua.org/events/generalassembly/2010/ga2010/165854.shtml
So you don't have to watch the whole thing (including several lists of many names), here are the times in the video where the music occurs:
- Directing choir -- "Lift Your Voice" by Jason Shelton -- 9:20
- Directing choir -- "boundless joy" by Catherine Dalton -- 18:20 (this piece reflects upon the listing of those who've died this past year and a moment of silence)
- Directing choir -- "Now is the Time" by Jason Shelton -- 27:30
- Playing piano "Suite for Piano" (Courante and Gavotte) by Clif Hardin -- 57:30 (this was the Offertory - that's why it was so long!)
- Playing piano "Rank by Rank" as the processional -- 2:30
Musically yours,
Beth Syverson
Director of Music Ministries
(949) 829-1752
musicdirector@ocuuc.org
www.ocuuc.org/musicministry.html
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July Music Ministry Notes
This month, my article is simply going to be a list of my gratitudes about my job as Director of Music Ministries:
In other words, thank you, OCUUC, for a great year! I'll be away much of the summer -- at General Assembly and at the UU Musicians Network conferences, where I will have leadership roles. Plus two family vacations. I'll be available by phone or email, though, as always. Brad will hold down the fort for several Sundays.
Musically Yours,
Beth
- I'm grateful that I get to choose a wide variety of repertoire and performers for services and special events.
- I'm grateful for all the hard work, rehearsal time, and memorizing that the choir did recently for their Broadway concert.
- I'm grateful to Brad Van Wick for being the pianist for the choir all year and for subbing for me for services.
- I'm grateful to Suzi Cassidy who has served as our graphic designer and online ordering guru again this year -- both for the choir concert and the Orange Coast Concerts flyers.
- I'm grateful to Clover Behrend-Gethard and Mark Miller and Ted Lundholm who create slides of the song lyrics every week.
- I'm grateful to have a beautiful 1920's Steinway to play with every Sunday.
- I'm grateful to the concert committee (chaired by Kathleen McFarlin) and the music committee (co-chaired by Ted Lundholm and Amy Tompkins) who helped with so many of the administrative details throughout the year.
- I'm grateful to have a job that creates living music that enriches lives, connects people to their heart, and welcomes Spirit.
In other words, thank you, OCUUC, for a great year! I'll be away much of the summer -- at General Assembly and at the UU Musicians Network conferences, where I will have leadership roles. Plus two family vacations. I'll be available by phone or email, though, as always. Brad will hold down the fort for several Sundays.
Musically Yours,
Beth
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June Music Ministry Notes
June 1, 2010 07:23
| Orange Coast Concerts, June, Spring Concert
| Permalink
Orange Coast Concerts is going into its 6th season, and we’d like to get some feedback from the members of OCUUC so we can better serve you.
Please visit our website and fill out a short survey. We will take your opinions into account as we plan future events:
www.ocuuc.org/concerts.html
Additionally, Orange Coast Choir and I cordially invite you to our spring choir concert on Saturday, June 5 at 7:00 pm.
Musically yours,
Beth Syverson
Director of Music Ministries
(949) 829-1752
musicdirector@ocuuc.org
www.ocuuc.org/musicministry.html
Please visit our website and fill out a short survey. We will take your opinions into account as we plan future events:
www.ocuuc.org/concerts.html
Additionally, Orange Coast Choir and I cordially invite you to our spring choir concert on Saturday, June 5 at 7:00 pm.
Musically yours,
Beth Syverson
Director of Music Ministries
(949) 829-1752
musicdirector@ocuuc.org
www.ocuuc.org/musicministry.html
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Mission Statement
Beth Syverson’s Mission Statement
For Music Ministry at OCUUC
May 2009
My purpose as Director of Music Ministries in the Unitarian Universalist Church is to help the congregation fully experience shared music by providing a wide variety of musical experiences, worship opportunities, and community-building musical events. The Music Ministry at OCUUC will make spiritual and emotional growth available to all who seek it, will provide transcendent moment of grace, and will provide a nurturing space for anyone wishing to explore their musical gifts and talents.
I do this by making the Music Ministry open to all who are interested in participating. I place each individual in a role that features their strengths and helps them feel like a connected and contributing member of the Music Ministry. I provide musical and extra-musical opportunities for all ages and all abilities. Some of the vehicles for participation are:
• Family Choir
• MUUsical Magicians (children’s choir)
• Orange Coast Choir (adult choir)
• Songleaders
• Playing drums, shakers, etc.
• Narration and readings for those not skilled at singing but interested in participating
• Sign language and hand motions
• Create PowerPoint slides for worship or concerts
• Concert Series (with professional musicians), providing opportunities for dancing, listening, learning, and community-building.
• House Band for Music for Gathering every Sunday – rhythm section, winds, strings
• Feature soloists (vocal & instrumentalists) for entire song or just a verse or section
• Ad hoc Hospice singing, Singing Valentines, Christmas Caroling
• Run sound system or projector
• Sing and/or clap with the congregational songs
• Help design or coordinate worship service or concert
• Serve on music or concert committees
The other main component of my mission is to use music as the tool to help people connect to Spirit through their heart and soul. Our denomination is famous for the intellectualism and advanced degrees of its members, and our church is no exception. I view my job as touching that oft-neglected emotional and spiritual place through music. Here are some ways I do that on a regular basis:
• I often play ten minutes of Music for Meditation on the piano before our Contemplative Worship Service (our early service).
• Congregational songs and anthems complement the sermon theme, thus creating a bridge from the mind to the heart.
• We sometimes sing things we would never be able to say. Our church has many agnostics, humanists, atheists, and individuals who are “recovering” from their previous religious experience. If I asked them to speak something like “You got to do when the Spirit says do,” they would revolt. But when we sing and clap it at the end of a motivating worship service, it brings everyone together and speaks to the universal Spirit without starting a controversy.
• At every rehearsal and meeting I’m in charge of, we light a chalice, hear a reading, and do a check-in. Our choir members support each other when they’re sick or hurting. They come to choir not just to sing notes but to sing TOGETHER and create a vital musical community that supports each other.
• I use Taize-style chanting as well as non-Western chanting in worship services, at retreats, and at special events when appropriate. Members of the congregation regularly respond to this type of chanting with stories of healing, deep peace, and awakened understanding.
My Music Ministry is so much more than repertoire, technique, and administration. It touches souls, it creates change, it motivates, it heals, it brings people together, and it brings joy and peace to a hurting world. It is my calling, my life’s work, and my great privilege to provide this type of service to the community I love through a medium which I love – music.
For Music Ministry at OCUUC
May 2009
My purpose as Director of Music Ministries in the Unitarian Universalist Church is to help the congregation fully experience shared music by providing a wide variety of musical experiences, worship opportunities, and community-building musical events. The Music Ministry at OCUUC will make spiritual and emotional growth available to all who seek it, will provide transcendent moment of grace, and will provide a nurturing space for anyone wishing to explore their musical gifts and talents.
I do this by making the Music Ministry open to all who are interested in participating. I place each individual in a role that features their strengths and helps them feel like a connected and contributing member of the Music Ministry. I provide musical and extra-musical opportunities for all ages and all abilities. Some of the vehicles for participation are:
• Family Choir
• MUUsical Magicians (children’s choir)
• Orange Coast Choir (adult choir)
• Songleaders
• Playing drums, shakers, etc.
• Narration and readings for those not skilled at singing but interested in participating
• Sign language and hand motions
• Create PowerPoint slides for worship or concerts
• Concert Series (with professional musicians), providing opportunities for dancing, listening, learning, and community-building.
• House Band for Music for Gathering every Sunday – rhythm section, winds, strings
• Feature soloists (vocal & instrumentalists) for entire song or just a verse or section
• Ad hoc Hospice singing, Singing Valentines, Christmas Caroling
• Run sound system or projector
• Sing and/or clap with the congregational songs
• Help design or coordinate worship service or concert
• Serve on music or concert committees
The other main component of my mission is to use music as the tool to help people connect to Spirit through their heart and soul. Our denomination is famous for the intellectualism and advanced degrees of its members, and our church is no exception. I view my job as touching that oft-neglected emotional and spiritual place through music. Here are some ways I do that on a regular basis:
• I often play ten minutes of Music for Meditation on the piano before our Contemplative Worship Service (our early service).
• Congregational songs and anthems complement the sermon theme, thus creating a bridge from the mind to the heart.
• We sometimes sing things we would never be able to say. Our church has many agnostics, humanists, atheists, and individuals who are “recovering” from their previous religious experience. If I asked them to speak something like “You got to do when the Spirit says do,” they would revolt. But when we sing and clap it at the end of a motivating worship service, it brings everyone together and speaks to the universal Spirit without starting a controversy.
• At every rehearsal and meeting I’m in charge of, we light a chalice, hear a reading, and do a check-in. Our choir members support each other when they’re sick or hurting. They come to choir not just to sing notes but to sing TOGETHER and create a vital musical community that supports each other.
• I use Taize-style chanting as well as non-Western chanting in worship services, at retreats, and at special events when appropriate. Members of the congregation regularly respond to this type of chanting with stories of healing, deep peace, and awakened understanding.
My Music Ministry is so much more than repertoire, technique, and administration. It touches souls, it creates change, it motivates, it heals, it brings people together, and it brings joy and peace to a hurting world. It is my calling, my life’s work, and my great privilege to provide this type of service to the community I love through a medium which I love – music.
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