February 19, 2012

thanks to Otto Schultejans for the recording

Connie Fairchild - accordian
Jon Silva - trumpet
Michael Wysession - clarinet
Brian Schroer - trombone
Daniel Anderson-Little - sousaphone

- The Prairie Six

In 2009, George Van Hare, looking for an opportunity to play his guitar in church, gave Vicki Carmichael two pieces of music, with chords and vocal harmonies written out, from his bluegrass harmony class in California. Vicki, knowing the eclectic musical talents and interests of our congregation, quickly identified a number of folks who would be interested, and the group was born. Our first appearance in church was Sunday Oct 11, 2009, and we played two classics of the bluegrass gospel canon, "Harbor of Love" and "The Wicked Path of Sin." Since then, the membership of the group has solidified. Originally dubbed the "Prairie Five," we started with Connie Fairchild (lead vocals and accordion), Karen Coletti (fiddle and piano), Brian Schroer (banjo and guitar), Jim Shoemaker (autoharp), and George (guitar and occasional electric bass). We recently added Larry Pontious and his mandolin (and no bluegrass band is complete without a mandolin). So, now we are known as the "Prairie Six", or, to Bill Wade and Vicki, the "Prairie Dogs". We all sing, and we occasionally feature guest vocalists (remember Harold Glad's spirited rendition of "Dust on the Bible"?). We often branch out to other genres including straight folk music and even R&B. Liz recently gave us our own key to the church, and we think that means that we are now official.

A little about our musical backgrounds:

For many years, Connie Fairchild Torretta was the lead vocalist for the iconic St. Louis band "Fairchild" who recently played a reunion concert at Schlafly Tap Room. In addition to singing with the Trinity Choir, she works as a music therapist, specializing in early childhood special education, in the Kirkwood and Rockwood school districts, and at the Miriam School and Good Shepherd School.

Jim Shoemaker has been singing with church and school groups since childhood, and playing autoharp since graduate school. His longest musical association is with his three older brothers who form a quartet in which he sings tenor and acts as arranger. They have performed at the weddings or funerals of 7 family members. He sang for several years in Urbana, IL with the group "BG PUB" (Bluegrass Pick Up Band) which won a "Picnic Performers" contest at Allerton Park. The group was once hired to entertain at the Kankakee Strawberry Festival. Jim sang with an offshoot of the Trinity Choir, the Trinity Men's Quartet, for many years, and toured several local churches with the quartet and 4 women singers, including Vicki Carmichael. Jim is the composer of "Promises of God", a sacred cantata presented at Trinity and Overland Presbyterian churches, and several other pieces.

Karen Coletti's parents gave her piano lesions when she was seven. She adored her teacher, and when she was in the 4^th grade, began accompanying her grade school choruses and orchestra. She has been pretty much "at the piano" ever since. In the late 70's, with 3 little kids and a full time job, she joined a country rock band. "Downstream" played east-side biker bars and weddings where fights broke out and their other keyboard player often went home with the bridesmaids. The band they admired the most was - Fairchild.

Brian Schroer was raised by banjo-playing wolves.....actually, after his sister lost interest in guitar lessons, Brian inherited her $12 Grandpa Pidgeon's guitar and taught himself to play it when he was 13. A teenage infatuation with southern rock (Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels, etc.) led him to buy a banjo when I was 15, which sat in a closet in his mom's house until he dusted it off a couple of years ago. He never sang in public until Trinity's Parish Choir in 1997. Bob Henderson complimented his singing and suggested that he join the Trinity Choir. In retrospect, Brian thinks he was just being nice, but he fell for it. He's been with the Trinity Choir since then, and nobody has identified him as an impostor yet!

Larry Pontious's first musical memories are with the Boy Choristers in 2nd grade. Mostly due to the Beatles, his first instrument was a bass guitar. Musical interest remained lukewarm until meeting Elaine and her family. That started a quest to learn many instruments, and most of them can still be found around the house. A career at UPS sidelined music for the next 30 years until he picked up the fiddle at age 47. Old-Time fiddle introduced him to traditional Irish music, which is his current passion. You can find him playing most Wednesday nights at Riley's in the Tower Grove neighborhood. Bluegrass also has strong ties with Old-Time music, and it was only natural to add a mandolin to his collection of instruments.

George Van Hare started playing guitar after college, having previously played trumpet and French Horn as a teenager. He played occasionally at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto, including Easter sunrise services. His only notable performance credit is the garage band he played with as a pediatrics resident in the 80's, for which he learned the bass lines for all the Rolling Stones songs. Consequently, he is not allowed to play his bass at home.

Bluegrass gospel music is a deeply American expression of faith in God and in Jesus, and we all share a strong affection for this style of music. Each of us has brought songs to the group, things we grew up with and have always loved, or songs that we recently heard on the radio and thought would work. We are divided on whether we prefer practicing or performing, but we love to sing and play together. We feel privileged to be able to perform our music in church, and hope that we are making a contribution to Trinity's worship life.

The Songs of Africa Ensemble, a multicultural vocal ensemble, will be giving two upcoming concerts: a Kwanzaa Celebration, taking place 7:00 pm Friday December 30, 2011 at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 6800 Washington Avenue, and as a featured artist at the First Night New Year's Eve celebration in the heart of Grand Center with their concert at Xavier College Church at the corner of Grand and Lindell from 6:30-7:30 pm New Year's Eve.

The Songs of Africa Ensemble both entertains and educates audiences by singing a repertoire of songs in African languages from the new choral collection, Songs of Africa, published by Oxford University Press, about topics ranging from spirituality, religion, community, work and play. The compelling music engages audiences to move, clap and sing along to a performer audience interaction that often recreates scenes from traditional African life.

Tickets for the Kwanzaa Celebration are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets to the SOAE Kwanzaa Concert can be purchased by calling (314) 652-6800. Admissions buttons for the First Night St. Louis can be purchased in advance at any Dierberg's or Borders, and at select Schnuck's locations for $8 (adults) and $4 (Ages 6 - 12) or at the event for $10 (adults) and $5 (Ages 6 - 12). Children 5 & under are free. Funding for these concerts is provided in part by the Boeing Employee's Community Fund, Enterprise Holdings, the Missouri Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Regional Arts Commission.

Additional information about the group can be found at the website of its parent organization, African Musical Arts Inc. at www.africarts.org or by calling (314) 652-6800.

- John MacEnulty

This performance is for healing the growing cultural rift between certain elements of this country and the Muslim religion. The estrangement is still in its early stages. We can be a part of heading it off. Please come and bring your friends of all political persuasions.

The basic idea of this night is that Rumi is the most popular poet in the United States today. We are in tune with the values and sense of love and beauty expressed by this great poet. He just happens to be the greatest Muslim poet of all time. And so without realizing it, we join cultures through the poetry of Rumi.

We need to see the commonality of our values as expressed through the poetry of Rumi. By pointing out the shared sense of love and caring we demonstrate that we share deeply with our Muslim brothers and sisters. This will be done by selected readings and musical interpretations of the poetry on the Native American flute.

We learn to respect the ways of others, that even the greatest of prophets needs humility. We learn that the highest levels of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are deeply rooted in the inexpressible mystery of the divine. We share the mystery in deep and beautiful ways that need to become a part of our cultural and political dialogue. May we begin to find our deeper connections through the poetry of Rumi.

There will be dialogue before and after this performance to see if we can find our true relationships. If you have ideas or opinions about Muslim, Christian, Jewish relationships please come and express your views, regardless of what they are that we may begin to share a deeper understanding of who we are to each other, Muslim, Christian, Jew.

John MacEnulty was the principal tuba player with the St. Louis Symphony from 1962 until 1982 when his playing career was ended by Bell's palsy, a paralysis of the facial muscles. He was conductor and executive director of the Belleville Philharmonic from 1983 until 1991 when this career was interrupted by cancer (lymphoma). After a near death experience and a major shift of life values John began a period of spiritual seeking, writing and meditating, culminating in the discovery of the Native American Flute an instrument which he describes as "much more than musical."

Fatemeh Keshavarz is professor of Persian and comparative literature and chair of the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures at Washington University in St. Louis. Her book "Jasmine and Stars, Reading More Than Lolita in Tehran" is a direct, frank, and intimate exploration of Iranian literature and society. Scholar, teacher, and poet, her fresh perspective on present day Iran provides a rare insight into this rich culture alive with artistic expression but virtually unknown to most Americans. She is also author of four previous books, including Reading Mystical Lyric: The Case of Jalal Al-Din Rumi.

Muhamed Hasic is Imam of the St. Louis' Islamic Community Center a largely Bosnian Muslim group. The Bosnians immigrated to the United States in the mid 1990s during the war, fleeing almost unimaginable suffering in their country and seeking solace in a new land. St. Louis has between 50,000 and 70,000 Bosnians, a substantial population. The Bosnians moved into old neighborhoods and opened businesses. They are widely credited by many in St. Louis with vastly improving areas of the city.

Howard Schwartz, professor of English at University of Missouri St. Louis, is a three time winner of the National Jewish Book Award. He is a nationally reknown writer of Jewish fiction, essays, and children's stories, as well as editing numerous publications. He has received awards and recognitions too numerous to list here. Suffice it to say that he is a nationally recognizd authority on Jewish culture and its relationship to the world community.

John Renard is a Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University with focus on religious literature in Arabic and Persian, Islamic art history, and religion. He has written extensively on Islamic culture, including "All the King's Falcons: Rumi on Prophets and Revelation"

- Vicki Carmichael - Choir director

Since we are going to thrive . . . we need to put our talents to work as the Spirit moves!

Listening to the Webster Groves High School acapella group "A-Men" that sang in worship last Sunday, I was thrilled to hear their talent and be in the presence of such uplifting youthful energy. At the same time, I was devastated that in the three years I have been directing the Music Ministry I did not know about the vocal talent of Noah Jones and his friends. (Noah is the Trinity member who sings with the A-men and contacted me with an offer to have them sing this summer. check them out on YouTube.) I was saddened to think that I have seen only road blocks when it comes to involving our youth with Trinity's Music Ministry. The "road blocks" have not changed - our youth (and the parents who transport and support them) are still over-programmed, extra-curricular sports still conflict with worship and rehearsal schedules, and my own schedule is still jammed to over-flowing.

However, as Mahalia Jackson sang, "Lord, Don't Move the Mountain but give me strength to climb it!" I believe a compelling ensemble will draw young singers (and dancers, arrangers, or accompanists). So, I would love to invite any and all youth (13-18) who are interested in being charter members of Trinity Glee! - a glee-club style ensemble which will rehearse 3 or more Sundays per month after worship with the goal of singing both sacred and secular music on occasion in worship services and at outreach events in the community. First meeting/rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday 9/25 at 12:00 PM. Please contact me at vcarmichael44@gmail.com or 314-620-0111 for more information.

- Vicki Carmichael, Choir Director

Do you enjoy singing??

The Bel Canto Chorus of St. Louis is looking for singers - all voice parts.

Directed by Dr. Bruce Vantine, this friendly, non-auditioned group rehearses at 7 p.m. Monday evenings at Holy Communion Episcopal Church, 7401 Delmar Boulevard - beginning Aug. 29.

Bel Canto carefully prepares two concerts a year - singing a variety of sacred and secular music.

The semester participation fee is $65. Give it a try for a week for free to see if it is a good fit for you!

Questions? Call Dr. Vantine at 314-838-4383 or Bel Canto President Pat Courtney at 314-601-3900.

Sunday, May 8, 7:30 at Trinity

The Kingsbury Ensemble orchestra with Jay Carter, countertenor, and John Korak, baroque trumpet, perform music of Vivaldi, Handel, and two, count 'em, two Purcells.

Included in the program are:

• Vivaldi's violin concerto, opus 8, #7, in D minor
• Henry Purcell's suite from "Abdelazer or The Moor's Revenge" for trumpet and strings
• Handel's "Ode for the Birthday of Queen Mary"
• Daniel Purcell's aria "Sound the Trumpet" for countertenor, trumpet, and orchestra

$20 general admission, $15 seniors, $5 students with ID.

Join us for an Eastertide celebration of hymns and readings with:

• The Second Church Choir
• The Trinity Presbyterian Church Choir
• Brass Quartet (with Susan Slaughter and members of SLSO)
• Organists Andrew Peters & Bill Wade

at Second Presbyterian Church
4501 Westminster Place (at Taylor) in the Central West End

• Accessible
• Secure, lighted parking
• Free and open to the public
• Childcare provided with reservation by April 27

314.367.0367
www.secondchurch.net

Flyer: http://www.trinityucity.org/HymnFestival.pdf

"From the Old World to the New"
Music of Ortiz, Castellanos, Lopez,
Juan de Araujo and others
performed by:
Clea Galhano, recorder
Jessica Heuser, soprano
Ken Kulosa, cello, viola da gamba
Maryse Carlin, harpsichord

Saturday, April 2nd, 7:30 PM
Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6800 Washington
University City, Missouri

Tickets available at the door $15 , $10 seniors, $5 students

Reception following the concert

www.kingsburyensemble.org

(314) 862-2675

- Vicki Carmichael, Minister of Music - Choir Director

- Bill Wade, Minister of Music - Organist

It should come as no surprise that there are many aspects to a church job that go unnoticed by the congregation in general. That is the way things should be. After all, we hire professionals to oversee the various components of the church operations and ministry for which specialized training and expertise are required. As part of my job as the Minister of Music - Organist, I am responsible for the oversight, maintenance and repair, and ongoing operations of the various instruments at Trinity. That list now includes the Casavant Pipe Organ, the electronic organ in the chapel, the Baldwin Grand in the Sanctuary, the new Essex piano in the choir room, and two upright pianos downstairs, three octaves of handbells and three octaves of hand chimes.

There have been two major projects over the last year that have now been completed and about which I am happy to report. The 1980 Baldwin Grand piano in the sanctuary was in critical need for serious repairs. We were faced with the decision to either replace it with a similar newer instrument or refurbish it. The Worship and Music Commission decided that the most responsible course of action would be to refurbish the current instrument and extend its life. Upon the generosity and approval of the Endowment Board and the Corporate Affairs Commission, we were able to have the instrument refurbished with new action and strings, and repair of several serious cosmetic injuries it has sustained during its frequent use for services and concerts over the last twenty years. This project entailed a complete removal of all 230 strings, 88 hammers, and key action and replacement with new components of each of those items. We contracted the services of a master piano craftsman, Mr. Tom Zasadny to do the work. The process began one year ago in November 2009 month and was finally completed with the last tuning of the refurbished instrument in September, 2010. This project has given new life into an instrument that was becoming increasingly more difficult to play and mechanically unable to produce the full range of dynamics for which the instrument was designed. The instrument is now a pleasure to play and is able to serve as a good instrument for accompaniment of the choir, singers, and ensembles, as well as serve as a responsive concert instrument. The repair of the damage to the case was undertaken by Mr. Vernon Stüfleben from the Steinway Piano Gallery.

The second major project was to replace the studio upright piano in the choir room. Due to the high demand on that instrument, it had become increasingly more expensive to maintain. Although the instrument was only 23 years old, it was no longer able to sustain the day-to-day musical demands placed on it. We were able to negotiate with the Steinway Piano Gallery for a trade in of the choir piano on a new Essex EUP-123S institutional studio upright (designed by Steinway.) The new instrument was installed in time for the beginning of the new choir season in September. On behalf of the choir and Vicki Carmichael, I would like to extend my thanks to the Endowment Board and the Corporate Affairs Commission for their financial support and encouragement that made the completion of these two projects possible.

October 22 & 23, 8pm

The St. Louis Symphony Chorus joins the orchestra for the powerful masterpiece, Schubert's Mass No. 6.

Vicki is part of a vocal quintet singing this piece with the chorus.

The Saturday night performance will be broadcast live on KWMU 90.7. Go to http://www.stlpublicradio.org/programs/symphony.php for more information.

To purchase tickets: http://www.stlsymphony.org/

Dear Trinity members and friends,

Psalm 150 invites us to "Praise the Lord!" in a variety of musical ways, with many different instruments and with dancing. At Trinity we praise with congregational singing, organ music, choirs, vocalists, handbell ringers, contemporary bands, pianists, flautists, percussionists, chamber orchestras, brass quartets and anything else we get inspired to try. I am so grateful to God for the opportunity to minister to and with my friends and companions by leading music that moves us to praise, to thanksgiving, to confession and repentance, to expressions of utter grief and blissful joy.

Every Sunday someone comments to me about the worship music at Trinity. Sometimes they want to comment on a specific piece of music the choir performed or a hymn that was chosen; other times they comment about the high quality of the worship music in general; occasionally, someone will remind me of a preferred musical style and request more of it in worship; or they want to express their appreciation for the leadership and tell me how the music connects with them. As I reflect on these conversations I begin to understand what being a "minister" of this music program means to me.

These conversations remind me that meaningful, quality music in worship is vital. There is simultaneously an incredible intimacy and an overwhelming vastness to the relationship of individual human beings with their Creator and Sustainer, God. Music is an invaluable gift with which God reaches into this both vast and deeply personal space. God is ever-present in the composition of the melodies and harmonies and in the poetry of the words. God creates, guides and transforms every person who comes into contact with each piece of earthly music. God shapes the lives of not only composers, poets, instrumentalists, conductors, and singers but also of each beloved child who will hear and be moved by the music.

It is awesome and wonderful to know that in our music making we are carrying out God's will to bring us all into deeper relationship with each other, with ourselves and with our all-loving God. To minister to each of you through the gift of music is an honor I do not take lightly and yet, the load is light - God equips me with a love for all kinds of music and a deep yearning to share what I love.

In supporting the Psalm 150 fund each year, you contribute to the creativity of this music ministry and to opening possibilities for deeper relationships with others and with God. I hope that as you consider how the music in worship touches you, you will find value therein and give as generously as you are able. Your gifts allow us to dream of and plan even more special worship experiences and supports the tools we need to bring the music to you.

We will collect your gifts for the Psalm 150 fund in worship this Sunday, September 26 (but donations will gladly be accepted after that) - just specify "Psalm 150" in the check memo. Some ideas that Bill and I have for use of the funds include a larger choral work with chamber orchestra during advent; special music and musicians during lent, on Easter and other holidays; new (and badly needed) table covers for the bell choir, and other possibilities. Thank you for participating in our music ministry by supporting the Psalm 150 fund.

Yours in love and service,

Vicki Carmichael
Minister of Music, Choir Director

with

Bill Wade
Minister of Music, Organist