Cherub Choir and Advent Family Night

Advent and Christmas Greetings to our Cherub Families!

Here are some details about our Cherubs' participation in our Advent Family Night festivities --

Cherubs should arrive by 4:40 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 2, in the chapel. We will be there with their robes so they can get those on and then briefly rehearse their four carols.

They are third and fifth on the program.

What that means is that the Handbell Choir will ring first.

Second, the Children's Choir sings.

Third, the Cherubs sing their three carols -- Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, Away in a Manger and I Saw Three Ships.

Fourth, the Children's Choir sings again.

Fifth, the Cherubs sing their fourth and last carol with the Children.

There are a few more carols after that, including from the Youth Choir, and then, when the program's over, we will help the Cherubs take their robes off near the Walker Chapel side of the sanctuary and head downstairs to the Fellowship Hall for crafts followed by dinner.

Thank you, parents, who have asked for words so they can go over the music at home!  The Cherubs were happily singing forth all of these songs last evening, knowing both words and music, but keeping it all fresh in the mind and heart is always a good thing. So, here are the words ---

"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" (no. 37 in our hymnal)

Infant Holy, Infant lowly,

For His bed a cattle stall,

Oxen lowing, little knowing

Christ the babe is Lord of all.

Swift are winging angels singing,

Noels ringing, tidings bringing.

Christ the babe is Lord of all.

"Away in a Manger" (no. 24 in our hymnal, the Kirkpatrick version)

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,

And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

 

"I Saw Three Ships"

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships, all three,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?

And what was in those ships, all three,

On Christmas Day in the morning?

Our Savior Christ and His Lady

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,

Our Savior Christ and His Lady

On Christmas Day in the morning.

 

The words to the refrain of "The Glowing Star" that the Cherubs will sing with the Children's Choir -- 

See the glowing star,

It fills our hearts with gladness.

What a wondrous light,

It takes away all sadness.

Gloria, Hosanna, lead us to the Christ Child.

Gloria, Hosanna, lead us to God's Son.

Thank you all for your help and we can't wait to see you Sunday to help us usher in the Christmas season. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail or call Mrs. Garletts.

Miss Carol, Mrs. Garletts, Miss Emily and Miss Anna

Youth Music Opportunities

Dear Ardmore Presbyterian Families,

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 5, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., there is a special opportunity to preview two musical groups for youth, grades 6-12.

5:00 p.m. - Youth Choir

5:40 p.m. - Pizza!

6:10 p.m. - Youth Ringers

7:00 p.m. - We're finished!

**NEW - APC Youth Ringers**

 Directed by Maggie Montgomery, this group will meet in three five-week segments (Wed, 6:30-7:00 p.m.), and play a modest piece in worship at the end of each segment.  The segments begin Sep. 12, Oct. 17, and Feb. 20.

You do not have to sing in Youth Choir, nor do you have to read music, to try Youth Ringers.  Come out and try it!

APC Youth Choir

APC is one of the few churches on the Main Line to actually have a Youth Choir!  With a strong history, this choir sings several times per year.  Special projects include a biennial musical, and an annual choir exchange with Trinity Pres-Arlington, VA.  The choir rehearses Sundays after church.

So, if you've never tried our choirs for youth, why not come to the preview next Wednesday?  You can try one or both groups, and be sure to stop in for pizza (my favorite food group).

If you have questions, simply e-mail or call me.  Thanks for reading!

Gary Garletts

Director of Music

music@ardmorepres.org

610-642-6650 x23

Youth Choir, Pizza & Preview

Dear APC Youth Choir and Parents,

Summer days are waning, and a new program year is almost here!

Youth Choir Pizza and Preview happens in one week--Wed, Sep 5 at 5:00 p.m.  We'll take about 40 min. to sing through some great music for the year, including my newest arrangement of "I Saw You" by Ken Medema (composer of "The Tree Song").

Then we'll pause for a meal of pizza and veggies.  After the meal, we'll have about 50 minutes for an Introduction to Youth Ringers with Maggie Montgomery!  We hope you will try this new group.

During 2012-13 this new handbell choir will meet for three five-week segments, starting Wed, Sep 12, 6:30-7:00 p.m.  At the end of each segment, Youth Ringers will play a modest piece in worship.  You do not have to be a member of Youth Choir to try Youth Ringers, so please encourage your non-singing friends to try it!

Regular Youth Choir rehearsals begin after church Sun, Sep 16 at 11:45 a.m.

This is the year for the biennial musical.  It's "The Tale of Three Trees" on Sun, February 10 at Noon (dress rehearsal the previous morning).

Our exchange dates with Trinity-Arlington are:

• Sunday, April 7 at APC
• Sunday, April 14 at Trinity PC-Arlington

I'm excited about a great new year ahead!  Please e-mail back or call if you have any questions.

Gary Garletts

Cherub Choir Update

Greetings, Cherub Families!

2012 has started off marvelously for Cherub Choir and we've gained three new members. We are so happy to see 16 shining cherubs each week.

So far this year, Cherubs have learned about Epiphany, the Wise Men and their gifts and sang "We Three Kings." Then Miss Carol taught about Jesus as a young man and the Cherubs learned "The Twelve Disciples," reviewed the "Books of the New Testament" and learned the new song, "A Little Boy in Galilee."

Last week we began talking about love (keeping in tune with upcoming Valentine's Day) and Jesus' teaching of the First and Greatest Commandment in the Book of Mark, which the Cherubs recognized as the second book in their song.

Carrying forward with this theme, the Cherubs will sing in church for the introit on Sunday, Feb. 5. Miss Carol will be working at the Christian Education program at the church where she is employed that day, so Mrs. Garletts will lead the Cherubs. Please have your Cherub in the chapel by 10 a.m. to put on robes. After they sing, Cherubs come to the side door where Mrs. Garletts and Miss Anna will take their robes, then Cherubs return to their parents.

Since they're learning about love, Cherubs will sing the traditional "Jesus Loves Me" along with signing using American Sign Language. They will also sing (in keeping with the second Greatest Commandment) "Love Your Neighbor As Yourself."

There will be no Wednesday Plus on Feb. 22 due to it being Ash Wednesday. There is a church service that evening at 7:30 with child care provided.

We've said it before, but it bears repeating -- We are thankful that you think (as we do) that it is essential for your children to learn about God's love and wisdom for daily living enough to schedule the time to bring them to Wednesday Plus each week. We try our best in our teaching them about God in ways that will help them to grow up knowledgeable about God and His ways. God bless you and your family as 2012 continues to unfold.

In God's Grace - Miss Carol, Miss Emily, Mrs. Garletts and Miss Anna

Pastor's Pen: Requiem

The composer Robert Schumann saw genius in Johannes Brahms even at the early age of twenty.  According to Schumann, Brahms was already a great composer, "like Minerva sprung fully armored from the head of Zeus".  However, what was obvious to Schumann was not yet clear to others.  Both Robert and his wife Clara Schumann took an active interest in Brahms.  They made introductions for Brahms and encouraged his work.  When Robert Schumann was overtaken with mental illness in 1854 and finally died two years later, Brahms lost a mentor, a colleague and a friend.  

Perhaps Brahms was thinking of Robert when he wrote Clara Schumann in 1855, discussing an idea that he had for a composition.  It would touch on the themes of mortality and the fragility of life, yet it would also speak about hope in the midst of grief.  Historically, a requiem was a mass given for the dead.  Brahms took the musical form and transformed it into a piece that emphasized the comfort of the living.  Unlike traditional requiems, he rejected the Latin liturgy and set texts drawn directly from Martin Luther’s translation of the Bible.  Starting with “blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4) and ending with “blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” (Rev 14:13), Brahms’ work is a witness to a reality that transcends death and human suffering. 

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ reveal to us that reality.  The empty tomb gives us the assurance that we will not be left in the grave.  Our tears will turn to joy.  Ironically, the most explicit references to the resurrection were not in Brahms’ original.  The sixth movement which includes Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” was added later.  Some say Brahms added this movement in response to his mother’s death.  I wonder if it was because he realized that his witness was incomplete without the context of resurrection. 

The season of Lent gives us the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and anticipate the triumph of the resurrection.  This is not merely an intellectual exercise, but also an emotional and spiritual one as well.  In the past few years, many in our congregation have dealt with the reality of loss.  There is real pain and sorrow.  My prayer is that we make space to acknowledge our grief but place it in the context of Christ’s resurrection. 

This year we will journey through Lent with Brahms’ Requiem.  We will be exploring the Scriptures that he used in our sermons and prayers.  We will be studying the themes in our Sunday Small Group at 9am.  We will hear our choir sing selections throughout Lent, and then join the choirs of the Overbrook Presbyterian Church and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for a full presentation of the Requiem on March 25^th at APC.  Join us as we find our comfort in the context of Christ’s resurrection. 

Grace & Peace,

James Hodsden

Letter to APC Children's Choir Parents

Dear APC Children's Choir Parents,

 

We have had a great first three weeks in Children's Choir, as part of Wednesday PLUS at APC.

 

The choir is about 15 members and is off to a fine start, learning concepts, warm-ups, hymns and anthems.  Yesterday three singers tested and passed the September hymn!

 

Just to remind you, the choir sings twice in October:

 

October 16 - Introit "Come Worship God" with youth and clarinet

 

October 30 - annual Reformation 3-choir anthem, "Look at the World" with youth and adults

 

It's important that as many singers as possible attend on Sundays we sing.  Though we have a great Wed. program, the Sunday services are the only time we are "visible" to most of our congregation.  Plus it is valuable experience for the children--it is an important part of their religious education, it validates their present contribution to our corporate life, and it prepares them for future leadership.

 

PLEASE BE ON TIME for Sunday warm-ups.  The typical call (like Oct 16) is 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary. BUT it is 10:00 on Oct 30 (Reformation)!

 

Finally, in addition to the faith and music elements in choir, we must also stress the value of teamwork, cooperation and relationships.  This is a challenge when these children attend different schools and only meet in this context once per week.  We'll work on this at church--both during rehearsals and during Mrs. Foote's "Journey to Jerusalem."  Meanwhile, I would ask you also work on this with your children.  Plesae remind them that they should interact kindly with everyone in the choir (not just their best friends), and to be welcoming to visitors and new members.

 

Thanks again for your child's participation.

 

Gary Garletts

Wednesday PLUS Starts Again on September 14

Dear APC Parents,

I look forward to a new year of Children's Choir as part of APC's "Wednesday PLUS" program.

I hope you read Anne Foote's letter of invitation.  As Interim Director of Christian Education, Anne will direct the activity portion of Wed. PLUS, using "Journey to Jerusalem," which has been very popular with children through many years.

Presently I estimate 15 singers in the choir, which is very good.  Fifth graders are more numerous than usual, which might allow me to push the envelope on musical challenges.  We are blessed again with the assistance of Mrs. Giese and Mrs. Hoelscher.

Please remember this is the year for the three-church choral festival (alternates years with the musical).  The adults will sing Brahms "Requiem" and the children/youth will sing anthems TBD.  Please save Sunday, March 25, 3:00 p.m. (festival) plus the previous morning (rehearsal) in your schedule.

Our first singing date in worship is October 16 (introit with youth choir).  We will also sing in the 13th annual Reformation Sunday three-choir anthem (Oct 30, Rutter's "Look at the World," see the video below).  You will receive a complete list of singing dates ASAP.

See you soon!

Gary Garletts

Palm Sunday with the Grove City College Touring Choir

The Grove City College Touring Choir will be joining us on Palm Sunday, March 28, during worship (10:15 a.m. prelude)

Grove City College is a four‐year, fully accredited liberal arts and sciences college north of Pittsburgh. Its solid reputation is based on a strong academic program, a Christian environment conducive to learning, and a commitment to operate virtually debt‐free.

The Touring Choir was organized in 1959, and has toured annually since then. Directed since 1981 by Dr. Douglas A. Browne, the choir has visited virtually every state east of the Mississippi River, and has appeared at various music educators’ conferences. The choir will sing before (10:15 a.m.) and during Palm Sunday worship. Selections will include Byrd’s “Ave verum corpus,” Gretchaninoff’s “Holy Radiant Light,” Martin’s “When I Survey,” Clausen’s “Hosanna,” and Hogan’s “My Soul’s Been Anchored.”

As a sample of what they sing, here is a modern piece entitled "Vieni Nel Mio Cuore" by Jonny Priano. The text translates...

I'm lost in this wasteland.
Love me,
Guide me,
Christ come into my heart.

Mark Your Calendars: Bach Festival

While you are home watching the snow, please MARK your calendars for the upcoming BACH Festival. All our choirs (and those of Overbrook Presbyterian and St. Paul's Lutheran) have been working hard in preparation for this big event.

DRESS REHEARSAL -

SAT, MARCH 20, 2:00 p.m.

(children should be done by 3:15)

at St. Paul's Lutheran Church

BACH FESTIVAL SERVICE -

SUN, MARCH 21, 4:00 p.m.

(service should be done by 5:15)

at St. Paul's Lutheran Church

The program will mark the 325th anniversary of J.S. Bach, one of the most revered composers of all time, and one of the most influential in church music (he has been called "the fifth evangelist," e.g. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, JSB).

The children are doing well with all the music, especially "Wir eilen mit schwachen." To listen to this one, I recommend the following site:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YdPGxcHTwI

(our choirs will sing the first 2:00 and the recap, then soloists will sing the middle section).

Gary G