Annual Report of the Board of Music Ministry (2003-2004)

The purpose of the Music Ministry is to oversee the total Music program at First Parish and to help the worship services to be as meaningful as possible.

Susan Handy has continued to do a superb job as Music Director. She continues to bring excitement to the Senior Choir and encourages them to reach ever further into themselves to feel the music they are singing. She takes time to explain the message of the anthem to the choir so the can present it with more meaning, understanding and passion.

Most of the choirs are in full swing this year. The Cherub Choir continues to be lead by Sarah Keller. She has a group of 4 to 7 year olds and does a wonderful job with them. Their little voices are very big when they are in the choir loft. The Junior Choir is being lead by Sue Handy and they are also doing very well. The Youth Choir has not been able to get itself together this year. Sue Handy has met several times with both youth and parents who have expressed a desire to sing, but any scheduled practices have been poorly attended. If there are any other youth out there who would like to share their voices, please see Sue Handy. The Hand Chime Choir, under the direction of Ken Williams, is doing great. If there is anyone else who would like to give it a try please contact Ken. The Brass Group, under the direction of John Doane, is doing magnificent. He has a passion with these young people that is heard through their instruments. What a joy they are to listen to. The Senior Choir under the direction of Sue Handy continues to challenge itself with the music that Sue presents to them.

Dan Allan has done a fabulous job of providing music for the evening service. Anyone who would like to provide additional special music for the evening service, please contact Sue, Dan or a member of the Board.

The Organist position has continued to be the one down side of the music program.

In June we received the news that Merrill Franklin was planning to move to Nebraska sometime in the fall. We started to run ads in the Union Leader and on the AGO website. In September Merrill had some health issues causing his plans to change, so he was able to continue with us into October. We hired Caryl Carle and Laurel Devino as replacements during November, December, January and February. In March we hired Jeremy Lajoie as a full-time replacement organist. We expect to have Jeremy until September. We have interviewed several candidates but have not found one we feel is a good match for First Parish. We are continuing to run an ad in the Union Leader, and now have an ad in the New Hampshire AGO newsletter.

As always we would like to thank all those who have sung, played or in anyway helped to bring beautiful music to the worship services. If anyone would care to donate music in memory of a friend of loved one, please contact any member of the board or leave in information in the office and Priscilla will be sure to pass the info along.

If you have any suggestions on would like information on how you can become a part of the music program, please contact any member of the board.

We would like to thank the members of the board who have or are leaving the board for their years of dedicated service to the board; Ella Armstrong, Kathryn Bell and Gloria Bingel.

Gloria Bingel, Chairperson; Kathryn Bell; Ray Crowell, Council Representative and Ken Williams, Secretary