Music Notes

Dec. 5th, 2018
From the Podium
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Again I'm reminded that I am the most blessed man that I know of because I have the opportunity to work with such a wonderful and talented group of people each week. The annual cantata event is always the culmination of a lot of work, preparation, occasional frustration, and sheer talent that comes together in a wonderful way. Again I'm reminded through comments, emails, and personal notes just how much our music ministry means to the ones we serve. People were genuinely blessed by our efforts Sunday night. Their Christmas season was made brighter and they were once again stirred into gratitude for the gift of Jesus. That's all we can ask of our efforts as musicians who proclaim the gift of God in Christ. On behalf of the congregation, thank you for the musical gift that was offered Sunday night. Very, very well done!

Here are some immediate post-cantata thoughts:

  • I used to have a quote on my phone's wallpaper that read, "Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn." While both of our offerings were a definite win, there were also some lessons to be learned for the future. Some of our sound issues were addressed and fixed between the 6:00 and 7:00 hour. However, there are still some that need to be sorted out, and we're working to make the experience even better next year.
  • That said, the 7:00 presentation was as close to perfect as anything we've ever done. Despite some miscues by the conductor, everyone was really at the top of their game.
  • Thank you to everyone who provided such a wondrous bounty of refreshment. I confess that I snatched the last two sausage balls despite a young trumpet player looking at them with interest. I feel no guilt.
  • A very special thanks to Paul Garrison who not only worked to straighten up and set up the choir room for the refreshment time, but also spent several hours yesterday cleaning out and resetting the choir loft.


Sunday night was another glorious musical event, and another fantastic kickoff to Concord's Christmas season. We have much more in store this season as we celebrate the coming of the Christ-child.












Chancel and Worship Choirs

Chancel Choir and Worship Choir - You are invited to a very special choir party at the home of Buddy and Tami Bland on Saturday night, Dec. 15th. The festivities start at 6:00 and it will be a potluck. There will be a sign-up list so that we can make sure there will be a variety of offerings. Spouses and significant others are most certainly welcome. The Blands' address is 454 Laurel Ridge Ln. 37922.


Worship Choir - You have the next two Sundays off. The Men's Ensemble will be in the choir loft this week, and the Youth Choir will be there on Dec. 16th. We'll get back together on Dec. 23rd.

Chancel Choir - We will be back to rehearsal this Wednesday night as we prepare music for the rest of 2018.




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Youth Choir

  • Mark your calendars for Dec. 16th. We will be singing in traditional worship at 8:45. Before you groan too loudly at having to be there early, remember that whenever we sing early there will be doughnuts!

  • Our final rehearsal of 2018 will be this Sunday, Dec. 9th. We will have our annual "Sing All the Christmas Songs We Can Think Of" party. It will be a great time.
  • If you are on the England list, please look for an email from me tomorrow or Thursday. I haven't heard from very many as to whether they are still planning on the trip or not. We have a deposit due on Dec. 21st. Don't let time sneak up on you.
Other Musical Ensembles


Thursday Night Ringers - Don't forget that we are rehearsing tomorrow night, Dec. 5th in the sanctuary with the Concord Bells. This will take the place of our regular Thursday night rehearsal this week. This will be the only chance prior to Dec. 9th that we have to play with the Concord Bells, so it's important to be there if you can. We'll start immediately following the Chancel Choir rehearsal. We should be ready to go by 8:15, and will hopefully be completely done by 8:45. All of the bells, chimes, and tables will be set up for you, so you just need to be ready to ring at 8:15.

Concord Bells - Don't forget that we are rehearsing with the Thursday night group tomorrow night immediately following Chancel Choir rehearsal.

Concord Bells - We will meet Sunday morning at 8:00 in the sanctuary. We will have time to run through our processional and prelude before rehearsing with the Men's Ensemble at 8:15.

Concord Bells - We will have our final rehearsal of 2018 this Sunday night at 7:00. We will resume regular rehearsals on Sunday, Jan. 6th, 2019.


Concord Men's Ensemble - Don't forget to be here this Sunday morning at 8:15 in the choir loft. We will have just enough time to run through the pieces we will be singing in worship. This will be a fun Sunday morning.

Concord Men's Ensemble - This Sunday will start our Christmas break. We aren't scheduled to sing after this Sunday. We will get back together on Jan. 6th, 2019 at 6:00.
  Looking Ahead




Wednesday, Dec. 5th

7:00 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

8:15 - Concord Bells and Thursday Night Bells rehearsal in the sanctuary.


Sunday, Dec. 9th

8:00 - Concord Bells rehearsal

8:15 - Concord Men's Ensemble and Concord Bells rehearsal

8:45 - Prelude - "O Come All Ye Faithful" - Concord Bells

Anthem - "Calypso Lullaby" - Concord Men's Ensemble

Offertory - "In the Bleak Midwinter" - Concord Men's Ensemble


11:00 - Prelude - "O Come All Ye Faithful" - Concord Bells

Anthem - Concord Arts Rotation Dance Presentation.

Offertory - "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" - Concord Bells and Thursday Night Bells



4:00 - Youth Choir rehearsal and "Sing All the Christmas Songs We Know" Christmas bash

7:00 - Concord Bells rehearsal


Wednesday, Dec. 12th

7:00 - Chancel Choir rehearsal


Sunday, Dec. 16th

8:45 - Youth Choir - Anthem -"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

Offertory - Youth Choir "Still, Still, Still"

11:00 - Chancel Choir - TBA

7:00 - No Concord Bells rehearsal


Wednesday, Dec. 19th

7:00 - Chancel Choir rehearsal


Sunday, Dec. 23rd

8:45 - Worship Choir - TBD

11:00 - Chancel Choir - TBD

4:00 - NO YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSAL

7:00 - NO CONCORD BELLS















Prayer Concerns and Celebrations



  • Dave Conklin's birthday is today, Dec. 4th!
  • Judy Johnson's birthday is Wednesday, Dec. 5th.
  • Ellie Friedle's birthday is also on Wednesday, Dec. 5th.
  • Damon and Mary Coburn's anniversary is Thursday, Dec. 6th.
  • Grace Brison's birthday is Friday, Dec. 7th.
  • Charlie and Sandy Kuykendall's anniversary is Friday, Dec. 7th.
  • Jenny (De Tar) Lindsey's birthday Monday, Dec. 10th.




Mike Stallings
mike@concordumc.com
mstallings65@gmail.com
(865) 966-6728 (o.)
(865) 719-3469 (c.)