CPC 1998 Annual Report:
Music Ministries
Griz Gifford, Interim Director of Music

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When Leo Wanenchak stepped down as our Music Minister, a committee chaired by Carol Corey and Carolyn Smoes extended to me the honor of being the Interim Choir Director and overseer of the music ministry. It has truly been a joy and a privilege to fulfill this role these past few months. Working with the Chancel Choir is a delight! I thank all the dedicated singers who continue to give of their time and talent to worship God with music, and I thank all the many people in the congregation who are praying for our music ministry. Your prayers are felt and appreciated deeply!

In our search for an organist, God's guidance was quite apparent. Everywhere we turned, our contacts told us that there simply were no available high-caliber organists in town. But Ted Jones (our contractor of musicians for special events) led us to Tom Brantigan, who has absolutely thrilled us all with his incredible talents and personality at the organ.

Our sincere thanks go to Dan LeJeune, who recommended Terry Eberhardt to direct our Children's Chorus. Terry brings an infectious vitality and enthusiasm to the job, as well as a gorgeous voice that we have already featured in a solo on Thanksgiving Eve.

The Chancel Choir has enjoyed a glorious fall season with a number of special services and events, including:

• the October 11 Building Dedication of the new wing
• the November 22 Celebration of Leo Wanenchak's ministry
• the traditional Thanksgiving Eve service
• the December 4 Memorial Service for Jonathan Edwards
• the December 13 Advent SongFest, complete with brass and timpani
• singing at both the 8:00 and 11:00p services on Christmas Eve
• some cross-over between the 8:30 and 11:00a services, with the Chancel Choir appearing at 8:30 and Worship Team musicians performing with the Chancel Choir at 11:00. Look for some more of that in the future.

The 8:30 Worship Team (and the Chancel Choir) are enjoying the use of a new sound system housed in the Music Room. The Worship Team Council meets monthly to oversee the 8:30 service and has drafted a Worship Team Charter. Instrumentalists, singers, and technical assistants are always needed and can volunteer as substitutes.

The Children's Chorus meets every Sunday (except the first Sunday of the month) at 12:30p in Fellowship Hall. The work that the children do is truly amazing. They are reading music, using Solfege syllables, clapping rhythmic rounds, using Kodaly hand signs while they sing - and all the while having fun! In addition to occasionally appearing in the Sunday services, the Children's Chorus blessed us by singing at Leo's Celebration and the SongFest. The door is always open to new singers in grades 2 - 8 and also to visitors who just want to come and watch the fun.

The Music Search Committee, chaired by Richard Ames-Ledbetter, is already reviewing resumes of candidates from around the country in their quest to staff the music ministry with appropriate leadership for the years ahead. The configuration of personnel will undoubtedly include a full-time Director of Music Ministries and several part-time people in various roles. Please keep this search process in your prayers.